8littlebookshelves

    Philip Pullman’s The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage marks a triumphant return to the beloved universe of His Dark Materials . Set approximately a decade before the events of The Golden Compass , this novel serves as both a fresh entry point for new readers and a richly layered expansion for long-time fans. Atmospheric, imaginative, and deeply human, La Belle Sauvage reminds us why Pullman’s work has become modern classic literature.   The Plot (no Spoilers) The story follows Malcolm Polstead, an observant and kind-hearted eleven-year-old who helps his parents run an inn on the Thames. Curious about the world and deeply attuned to the subtle shifts around him, Malcolm finds himself drawn into a quiet but growing conflict between powerful institutions, secret organizations, and forces that operate just beyond the edges of everyday life. When he encounters a mysterious baby being hidden away for her own protection, Malcolm’s life takes an unexpected turn. Though the...