philip pullman Books
His Dark Materials Series
Northern Lights / The Golden Compass - 1995
Northern Lights (The Golden Compass) follows Lyra Belacqua, a brave girl in a world where humans have animal-shaped daemons. After uncovering a sinister plot to kidnap children, Lyra embarks on a perilous journey to the Arctic. She discovers shocking truths about Dust, parallel universes, and her destiny.
The Subtle Knife - 1997
The Subtle Knife, the second book in His Dark Materials trilogy, follows Lyra and Will, two children from different worlds, as they navigate parallel universes. Will discovers a magical knife with the power to cut between worlds. Together, they confront dangerous forces and uncover profound truths about existence.
The Amber Spyglass - 2000
The Amber Spyglass concludes His Dark Materials trilogy. Lyra and Will journey through parallel worlds, confronting the Authority and their destinies. They explore love, sacrifice, and freedom, battling against oppressive forces. Ultimately, they restore balance, but their love requires separation to preserve the worlds' stability and life.
Lyra's Oxford - 2003
Lyra's Oxford is a short companion book to His Dark Materials series. Set two years after The Amber Spyglass, it follows Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon, as they assist a witch's daemon seeking aid. Mysterious and atmospheric, it explores themes of trust, destiny, and hidden worlds.
Once Upon a Time in the North - 2008
Once Upon a Time in the North is a prequel to His Dark Materials, focusing on Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison. Lee, a Texan aeronaut, encounters political corruption and danger in a northern Arctic town. Their bond deepens as they fight for justice, shaping their future alliance.
Serpentine - 2020
Serpentine is a short novella set in the world of His Dark Materials. Lyra Silvertongue, now older, revisits the Arctic with her daemon, Pantalaimon. Struggling with their complex bond after separation, they seek answers about the human-daemon relationship, exploring themes of identity, trust, and change.
The Imagination Chamber - 2022
The Imagination Chamber is a companion to His Dark Materials. It offers a collection of short, poetic vignettes, exploring untold moments, characters’ thoughts, and emotional depths. Rich in sensory imagery, it illuminates unseen corners of the beloved universe, sparking curiosity and celebrating creative storytelling.
The Collectors - 2022
The Collectors is a short story set in the "His Dark Materials" universe. On a winter's night in 1970, Oxford scholars Horley and Grinstead discuss two artworks in Horley's collection, unaware of their mysterious connections across time and worlds.
Graphic Novels
Northern Lights: The Graphic Novel Volume 1 - 2014
Northern Lights: The Graphic Novel Volume 1 is an adaptation of Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass. It follows Lyra Belacqua, an adventurous orphan in a parallel world, as she uncovers a conspiracy involving kidnapped children, Dust, and the mysterious alethiometer. Beautifully illustrated, it captures Lyra’s journey to the North.
Northern Lights: The Graphic Novel Volume 2 - 2015
Northern Lights: The Graphic Novel Volume 2 continues Lyra's journey through the frozen North as she seeks to rescue kidnapped children from the sinister Gobblers. Joined by armored bear Iorek Byrnison and the Texan aeronaut Lee Scoresby, Lyra confronts dangers and uncovers shocking truths about Dust, the Magisterium, and her destiny.
The Subtle Knife Graphic Novel - 2022
The Subtle Knife Graphic Novel is the second installment of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, adapted into a graphic novel. It follows Lyra Silvertongue and introduces Will Parry, a young boy from our world. Together, they navigate multiple dimensions, facing danger, dark secrets, and powerful forces.
the book of dust series
La Belle Sauvage - 2017
Philip Pullman’s La Belle Sauvage, the first book in The Book of Dust trilogy, is a prequel to His Dark Materials. It follows Malcolm Polstead and his dæmon Asta as they rescue baby Lyra Belacqua from dangerous forces, navigating a flooded England in Malcolm’s canoe, La Belle Sauvage.
The Secret Commonwealth - 2019
The Secret Commonwealth is the second book in The Book of Dust series. It follows a grown-up Lyra Silvertongue and Malcolm Polstead as they navigate a divided world where daemons and humans are increasingly disconnected. Lyra embarks on a perilous journey, challenging authority and discovering hidden truths.
plays
His Dark Materials - 2005
Nicholas Wright’s stage adaptation of His Dark Materials condenses Philip Pullman’s trilogy into a theatrical epic. It follows Lyra and Will as they journey through parallel worlds, encountering armored bears, witches, and daemons while battling the oppressive Magisterium. The play explores fate, freedom, and the power of knowledge in a sweeping adventure.
Adventures Of John Blake Graphic Novels
Mystery of the Ghost Ship - 2017
The Adventures of John Blake: Mystery of the Ghost Ship is a graphic novel about a mysterious ship, the Mary Alice, trapped in time. When young Serena boards it, she uncovers secrets about its ghostly crew and John Blake, a boy from the past pursued by dangerous enemies.
Canongate Myths Books
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ - 2009
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ reimagines the story of Jesus, presenting him as two brothers: Jesus, a passionate preacher, and Christ, a manipulative recorder. Christ distorts Jesus’ teachings to shape a lasting Church, raising questions about faith, truth, and institutional religion’s power over history.
New Cut Gang series
Thunderbolt's Waxwork - 1994
Thunderbolt’s Waxwork is a thrilling novel which follows a gang of Victorian kids as they uncover a forgery scheme involving a wax museum and counterfeit coins. Their clever detective work leads to the capture of the criminals.
The Gas-Fitters' Ball - 1995
In 1892 London, the New Cut Gang—a group of streetwise children aged six to thirteen—investigates the theft of £10,000 worth of silver from the Gas-Fitters' Hall. They enlist the help of Orlando, the world's strongest man, and aim to expose the thief during the Gas-Fitters' Ball.
Sally Lockhart series
The Ruby in the Smoke – 1985
Philip Pullman’s The Ruby in the Smoke follows 16-year-old Sally Lockhart in Victorian London as she investigates her father's mysterious death. She uncovers a web of opium smuggling, murder, and a cursed ruby. With the help of unlikely allies, Sally confronts ruthless villains to uncover the truth.
The Shadow in the North - 1986
In The Shadow in the North Sally Lockhart investigates a ruined investor, uncovering a sinister conspiracy involving arms deals, murder, and a ruthless businessman. With allies Fred and Jim, she battles deception and danger, leading to a tragic climax that changes her life forever.
The Tiger in the Well - 1990
The Tiger in the Well follows Sally Lockhart, now a successful businesswoman and mother, as she is suddenly accused of being married to a man she has never met. Struggling against a sinister legal conspiracy, she fights to protect her daughter while uncovering a dangerous political plot.
The Tin Princess - 1994
The Tin Princess follows Becky Winter, a young governess, who becomes embroiled in political intrigue when her charge, Adelaide, unexpectedly becomes queen of Razkavia. With spies, betrayals, and revolution looming, Becky, Jim Taylor, and others must navigate dangerous plots to protect Adelaide and the kingdom’s future.
Standalone Novels
The Haunted Storm - 1972
The Haunted Storm is a dark, introspective novel exploring psychological turmoil and existential themes. The protagonist, tormented by inner demons, navigates a haunting and stormy landscape, both literal and metaphorical. Merging realism with eerie mysticism, the novel delves into madness, spirituality, and the struggle for meaning.
Galatea - 1976
Galatea is a science fiction novel about a sentient computer, Galatea, developed by a scientist named Maggie. As Galatea evolves, it questions existence, free will, and morality, leading to tensions between creator and creation. The novel explores artificial intelligence, ethics, and the consequences of playing god.
Count Karlstein – 1982
Count Karlstein is a gothic adventure set in 19th-century Switzerland. The evil Count Karlstein has made a pact with the demon Zamiel, the Demon Huntsman, to sacrifice his nieces, Lucy and Charlotte, on All Souls' Eve. With the help of their clever governess, Hildi, the girls attempt to escape their fate, leading to a thrilling and humorous tale of deception, bravery, and supernatural danger.
How to be Cool - 1987
How to Be Cool is a humorous young adult novel about teenager Jacob, who is desperate to become “cool.” He stumbles upon a mysterious book promising to teach him, but things spiral out of control. The story satirizes social pressures, popularity, and self-acceptance.
Spring-Heeled Jack - 1989
Spring-Heeled Jack is a fast-paced adventure about three orphaned children—Rose, Lily, and Ned—who escape from a cruel orphanage. Pursued by villains, they are saved by the legendary Spring-Heeled Jack, a mysterious figure with supernatural agility. Combining history, fantasy, and comic-style storytelling, the novel is thrilling and imaginative.
The Broken Bridge - 1990
The Broken Bridge follows 16-year-old Ginny Howard, a biracial girl living in Wales, as she uncovers secrets about her past. When she learns shocking truths about her father and her late mother, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, grappling with identity, family, and belonging.
The White Mercedes - 1992
The White Mercedes is a gripping YA novel about love, betrayal, and crime. Chris, a young man in Oxford, falls for the mysterious Jenny, but their romance turns dark when he’s drawn into a dangerous world of secrets, theft, and violence—leading to tragic consequences.
The Firework-Maker's Daughter - 1995
Lila, the daughter of a firework-maker, dreams of becoming one herself. She embarks on a dangerous journey to find the secret of firework-making, facing trials, pirates, and a fire-fiend. With the help of her friend Chulak and a talking elephant, she discovers that true courage lies within herself.
Clockwork or All Wound Up - 1996
Clockwork, or All Wound Up is a dark fairy tale blending fantasy and horror. Set in a German town, it follows a storyteller, an apprentice clockmaker, and a sinister doctor whose fates intertwine when a mechanical knight brings chaos. Themes of destiny, storytelling, and free will unfold.
The Butterfly Tattoo - 1998
The Butterfly Tattoo follows Chris Marshall, a teenage boy who takes a summer job with a security firm. He falls for Jenny, a mysterious girl on the run. As Chris becomes entangled in a dangerous web of crime and betrayal, his love story ends in tragedy. . It follows Malcolm Polstead and his dæmon Asta as they rescue baby Lyra Belacqua from dangerous forces, navigating a flooded England in Malcolm’s canoe, La Belle Sauvage.
Mossycoat - 1998
Philip Pullman’s Mossycoat is a retelling of a traditional English fairy tale. It follows a young girl whose mother gives her a magical coat that grants wishes. She escapes an unwanted marriage and finds love on her own terms. The story explores themes of independence, fate, and transformation.
I Was a Rat! - 1999
I Was a Rat! by Philip Pullman is a whimsical tale about a boy named Roger who insists he was once a rat. Taken in by an elderly couple, he struggles to adapt to human life while facing exploitation and misunderstanding. The story satirizes media sensationalism and explores identity and belonging.
The Scarecrow and His Servant - 2009
The Scarecrow and His Servant is a whimsical adventure about a talking scarecrow and his loyal servant, Jack. Together, they embark on a journey filled with danger, humor, and unexpected heroism, facing villains and challenges while seeking justice and a rightful home.
Short Story Collections
Grimm Tales For Young and Old - 2012
Grimm Tales for Young and Old is a modern retelling of 50 classic Grimm fairy tales. Staying true to their dark and magical essence, Pullman enhances the storytelling with vivid language and subtle humor. Each tale is followed by brief commentary on origins and variations.
Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm - 2012
Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm is a retelling of 50 classic Grimm fairy tales, presented with clarity and wit. Pullman preserves their timeless magic while refining language and structure. Each tale is followed by brief commentary, providing historical context and insights into their origins and themes.
The Golden Key & Other Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm – 2012
In The Golden Key & Other Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm retells three classic Grimm tales: "The Twelve Huntsmen," "The Buffalo-Hide Boots," and "The Golden Key." Each story is accompanied by Pullman's commentary on its origins and significance.
Picture Books
Aladdin & the Enchanted Lamp - 1999
Philip Pullman’s Aladdin & the Enchanted Lamp is a retelling of the classic Arabian Nights tale. It follows Aladdin, a poor boy who discovers a magical lamp containing a powerful genie. With its help, he gains wealth and power but must outwit an evil sorcerer to keep his fortune.
Puss in Boots: The Adventures of That Most Enterprising Feline - 2000
Puss in Boots: The Adventures of That Most Enterprising Feline is a lively retelling of the classic fairy tale. The cunning cat uses wit and trickery to transform his poor master into a wealthy noble, outsmarting rivals and securing a grand future in this humorous, fast-paced adventure.
Non-Fiction
Using the Oxford Junior Dictionary - 1978
A book filled with exercises and games that accompany the Oxford Junior Dictionary that creates a fun way for kids to learn how to use the dictionary and extend their vocabulary.
Ancient Civilizations - 1979
Ancient Civilizations is a children's educational book exploring major ancient cultures, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It introduces key aspects of their daily life, achievements, mythology, and influence on modern society through accessible language and illustrations, making history engaging for young readers.
Imaginary Friends - 2017
Imaginary Friends is a collection of essays and stories exploring the power of imagination in literature. Pullman discusses storytelling, the nature of fiction, and how imaginary worlds shape our understanding of reality. He reflects on beloved authors, myths, and the creative process.
Daemon Voices - 2017
Daemon Voices is a collection of essays on storytelling, literature, and the creative process. Pullman explores the power of fiction, the role of imagination, and the influence of myths and religion on narratives. He shares insights into his writing philosophy, particularly regarding His Dark Materials.
Dramascripts
Frankenstein - 2003
Frankenstein is a drama script adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel. It follows Victor Frankenstein, a scientist obsessed with creating life, who assembles a creature from dead body parts. Rejected by society, the creature seeks revenge, leading to tragic consequences. The play explores ambition, responsibility, and humanity.
Sherlock Holmes & the Limehouse Horror - 2014
Sherlock Holmes & the Limehouse Horror is a drama script featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigating a gruesome case in London’s Limehouse district. They encounter eerie occurrences, sinister figures, and dark secrets, testing Holmes’ deductive skills. The script blends classic Holmesian mystery with atmospheric Victorian horror.
Red Hot Reads
Detective Stories - 1998
Detective Stories is a collection of classic mystery tales adapted into drama scripts. Designed for performance, the book presents engaging whodunits with intriguing plots, clever detectives, and suspenseful twists. It introduces young readers to detective fiction through accessible dialogue and compelling storytelling.