His Dark Materials Part 1: Northern Lights cover art

His Dark Materials Part 1: Northern Lights

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His Dark Materials Part 1: Northern Lights

By: Philip Pullman
Narrated by: Bill Paterson, Emma Fielding, Full Cast, Kenneth Cranham, Ray Fearon, Terence Stamp
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About this listen

 The award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy is a breathtaking epic adventure spanning a multitude of worlds. Northern Lights, the opening instalment, sees Lyra and her shape-changing daemon embark on a dangerous quest. In Oxford, Lyra learns that children are being kidnapped by the mysterious Gobblers. When her friend Roger vanishes she determines to find him, and is given a powerful alethiometer which can reveal the truth in all things. After discovering that the adults around her are not what they seem, Lyra and Pantalaimon join forces with a band of Gyptians. Travelling north they encounter witch-queens and armoured bears, before being captured and taken to Bolvangar – where children are being used in terrible and secret experiments... Gripping, full of suspense and often funny, this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation has an all-star cast including Terence Stamp, Emma Fielding, Bill Paterson, Kenneth Cranham, and Ray Fearon.© and (P)2003 BBC Worldwide Ltd Science Fiction & Fantasy Funny

Critic reviews

I'm delighted that His Dark Materials is being done on the radio. I've always loved radio drama – it can move from the epic to the intimate in a moment. The sweep of the whole thing seems to have been very well maintained; and the cast is great, especially the two leads, Lulu and Daniel. The makers have used all the resources of my favourite medium to create a vivid and atmospheric production. (Philip Pullman)
All stars
Most relevant
After listening to brilliant books like Stanek's The Kingdoms and the Elves, I was disappointed to say the least. Dramatised can be bloody good but this isn't the full story. If it were the full story, I'd have given 5 stars.

Full cast, not full story

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I read this as a child and was captured by Lyra's world - so similar to our own, yet so fantastic.

It's still a marvel, and I didn't mind my time with it, but I'd forgotten just how much of a children's book it is. The whole world revolves around Lyra, and everything she tries seems to work out. In some ways it's the kind of story a child might tell - "I went here, and there were mean people doing evil things, but I said this and they believed me"

I'm glad to have revisited it, but it's not quite what I remembered from all those years ago.

Better for kids than grown-ups

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I love this version of Phillip Pullman's classic story of Northern Lights.

Originally aired on the BBC this has a great cast very well casted into their roles that play a (much) shortened version of the book. Ever since I first heard it on the radio I fell in love with this dramatisation and have not been able to look back.

Everything about this is good if not great. Very managable timing. Superb acting and transfer from the book. Do get.

A very memorable drama

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Very well performed , the children loved it, although it could have been longer.

good story

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An unique and full envisioned story told very well. Entirely captivating. Would highly recommend it.

Breathtaking story telling.

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