The Subtle Knife
Encyclopedia
The Subtle Knife, the second novel in the book His Dark Materials
series, was written by English
novelist Philip Pullman
and published in 1997
. The novel continues the adventures of Lyra Belacqua as she investigates the mysterious Dust
phenomenon and searches for her father. Will Parry is introduced as a companion to Lyra, and together they explore the new realms to which they have both been introduced.
The book focuses more on the characters and their own individual plots, rather than just on Lyra's father, Lord Asriel, and his war against the Magisterium
. It describes not only Lyra and Will's journey, but also the journeys of Lee Scoresby and Serafina Pekkala. In addition, Pullman alludes heavily to the study of dark matter
(or "Dust") and particle physics to further establish his metaphysical saga.
, created at the end of Northern Lights
.
Meanwhile, the witch Serafina Pekkala, who was separated from Lyra during a battle in Northern Lights, is searching for her. She discovers that the Magisterium and Lyra's mother, Mrs. Coulter, are learning the prophecy surrounding Lyra by torturing another witch. She kills that witch and leaves to call a meeting of the witches council. The witches vote to band together and join Lyra's father, Lord Asriel, in his fight against the Magisterium
. Scoresby ventures out to find the explorer Stanislaus Grumman, who is rumored to know of an object that gives protection to whomever holds it.
Back in Cittàgazze, Will and Lyra become allies; they also discover they come from parallel Oxford
s. Will and Lyra decide to travel back into Will's world to gather more information: Will is seeking information about his father, while Lyra is looking for Scholars who know about Dust
. The alethiometer tells Lyra where to find a Scholar, but informs her that she should put her mind to helping Will find his father. However, Lyra is curious to learn more about the nature of Dust and goes to Oxford University to find the scholar, Dr. Mary Malone. Dr. Malone shares Lyra's interest in Dust, which she calls "shadows." Lyra returns with Will to Cittàgazze.
Despite the alethiometer's message, Lyra revisits Dr. Malone the next day. She escapes from a trap and is offered a ride by a man she had met the previous day in a museum, Sir Charles Latrom. To her dismay, Lyra soon discovers that Sir Charles has stolen her alethiometer and she asks Will to help her retrieve it. When Lyra and Will confront Sir Charles, he admits that he has stolen the alethiometer. He makes an agreement with the pair that if they retrieve a certain knife from Cittàgazze and give it to him, he will return the alethiometer to Lyra. Will notes that he holds a green snake in his sleeve, marking him as a man from Lyra's world. The pair successfully retrieve the knife, but Will loses the last two fingers on his left hand. This signifies that he is the new bearer of the Subtle Knife, a tool that can create windows between worlds and can cut easily through anything.
Realizing that Sir Charles is not trustworthy, Lyra and Will decide to use the knife to steal the alethiometer. While doing so, Lyra sees that Sir Charles is meeting with Mrs. Coulter, whom Sir Charles has brought from Lyra's world. She realizes that Sir Charles is really Lord Boreal, a friend of Mrs. Coulter who came to Will's world long ago and established himself in a position of power. Will, overhearing their conversation, also hears news of his father, who had discovered a doorway between the worlds. Will and Lyra return to Cittagazze, where they are hunted down by the children, who think it was their fault that one of the adults had his soul sucked out by spectres. Will and Lyra run to a tower where the children almost kill them when they are found by Serafina Pekkala. She attempts to heal Will's wound with a spell, but fails. They then continue on to find Will's father.
Back in Will's world, Dr. Malone is visited by Sir Charles, who tells them that their funding will be discontinued if they do not cooperate. Dr. Malone quits her job, but returns later that night and takes Lyra's suggestion to attempt to talk to the Dark Matter using "words." She discovers that she is to play the "serpent"
and all her life's work has led to this. The Dust also tells her where to begin her journey and instructs her to destroy her work.
Lee Scoresby finally finds Grumman living as a shaman known as Jopari. Grumman, who summoned Scoresby, knows of the Subtle Knife and how the bearer can help Lord Asriel's cause, which will save them all. They set off in Scoresby's hot-air balloon and Grumman explains that the Subtle Knife is also how the Specters came into the world. Upon reaching Cittàgazze, however, they are caught by the Magisterium's army. Scoresby dies while holding off the soldiers, giving Grumman a chance to escape.
Mrs. Coulter tricks Sir Charles into revealing the secret of the knife. After murdering him, she catches a witch and tortures her, causing her to reveal not only Will and Lyra's location and their protectors, but that Lyra is fated to be the second Eve
. Mrs. Coulter states her intention to destroy Lyra rather than risk a second Fall.
Serafina goes to aid Scoresby, having heard his last plea for help. The rest of the party continues on. Will, unable to sleep one night, wanders up a mountain and finds Grumman, who staunches the bleeding in his hand and instructs him to take the knife to Lord Asriel, as it is the tool Asriel needs to win the great war that he is preparing against The Authority. They have a brief moment in which they realize they are actually father and son, but then a vengeful witch who loved Grumman murders him, as he had not returned her love.
Will returns to camp to find a pair of angels, Balthamos and Baruch, waiting to guide him to Lord Asriel. He agrees and goes to awaken Lyra, but discovers that she is missing. Will finds Lyra's alethiometer, which she had left behind. He then refuses to go with the angels until he finds Lyra.
As the second novel of the His Dark Materials trilogy, the book has also formed part of a radio drama
on BBC Radio 4
starring Terence Stamp
as Lord Asriel
and Lulu Popplewell
as Lyra, and as a two-part, six-hour performance for London
's Royal National Theatre
in December 2003, running until March 2004, and a second run between November 2004 and April 2005.
His Dark Materials
His Dark Materials is a trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman comprising Northern Lights , The Subtle Knife , and The Amber Spyglass...
series, was written by English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
novelist Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman CBE, FRSL is an English writer from Norwich. He is the best-selling author of several books, most notably his trilogy of fantasy novels, His Dark Materials, and his fictionalised biography of Jesus, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ...
and published in 1997
1997 in literature
The year 1997 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Tom Clancy signs a book deal with Pearson Custom Publishing and Penguin Putnam Inc. , giving him US$50 million for the world-English rights to two new books . A second agreement gives him another US$25 million for a...
. The novel continues the adventures of Lyra Belacqua as she investigates the mysterious Dust
Dust (His Dark Materials)
Dust in Philip Pullman's trilogy of novels His Dark Materials is a mysterious cosmic particle that is integral to the plot. In Northern Lights, Lord Asriel reveals the origins of the term "Dust" to be from a passage from the slightly alternate version of the Bible in Lyra's World: "In the sweat of...
phenomenon and searches for her father. Will Parry is introduced as a companion to Lyra, and together they explore the new realms to which they have both been introduced.
The book focuses more on the characters and their own individual plots, rather than just on Lyra's father, Lord Asriel, and his war against the Magisterium
Magisterium (disambiguation)
Magisterium describes the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, including:* Ordinary magisterium * Extraordinary magisterium It may also refer to:...
. It describes not only Lyra and Will's journey, but also the journeys of Lee Scoresby and Serafina Pekkala. In addition, Pullman alludes heavily to the study of dark matter
Dark matter
In astronomy and cosmology, dark matter is matter that neither emits nor scatters light or other electromagnetic radiation, and so cannot be directly detected via optical or radio astronomy...
(or "Dust") and particle physics to further establish his metaphysical saga.
Plot summary
After twelve-year-old Will Parry accidentally kills a man, he discovers an invisible window that leads to Cittàgazze, a city in another world, in his efforts to escape the police. The city looks recently deserted, and Will chooses a shop to find food. It is here that he meets 12-year-old Lyra Silvertongue and her daemon Pantalaimon, who came here after entering the hole in the sky that her father, Lord AsrielLord Asriel
Lord Asriel is a major character in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series and one of the main protagonists of Northern Lights.Asriel is a member of the English aristocracy in a parallel universe dominated by the Church...
, created at the end of Northern Lights
Northern Lights (novel)
Northern Lights, known as The Golden Compass in North America, is the first novel in English novelist Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy...
.
Meanwhile, the witch Serafina Pekkala, who was separated from Lyra during a battle in Northern Lights, is searching for her. She discovers that the Magisterium and Lyra's mother, Mrs. Coulter, are learning the prophecy surrounding Lyra by torturing another witch. She kills that witch and leaves to call a meeting of the witches council. The witches vote to band together and join Lyra's father, Lord Asriel, in his fight against the Magisterium
Magisterium (disambiguation)
Magisterium describes the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, including:* Ordinary magisterium * Extraordinary magisterium It may also refer to:...
. Scoresby ventures out to find the explorer Stanislaus Grumman, who is rumored to know of an object that gives protection to whomever holds it.
Back in Cittàgazze, Will and Lyra become allies; they also discover they come from parallel Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
s. Will and Lyra decide to travel back into Will's world to gather more information: Will is seeking information about his father, while Lyra is looking for Scholars who know about Dust
Dust (His Dark Materials)
Dust in Philip Pullman's trilogy of novels His Dark Materials is a mysterious cosmic particle that is integral to the plot. In Northern Lights, Lord Asriel reveals the origins of the term "Dust" to be from a passage from the slightly alternate version of the Bible in Lyra's World: "In the sweat of...
. The alethiometer tells Lyra where to find a Scholar, but informs her that she should put her mind to helping Will find his father. However, Lyra is curious to learn more about the nature of Dust and goes to Oxford University to find the scholar, Dr. Mary Malone. Dr. Malone shares Lyra's interest in Dust, which she calls "shadows." Lyra returns with Will to Cittàgazze.
Despite the alethiometer's message, Lyra revisits Dr. Malone the next day. She escapes from a trap and is offered a ride by a man she had met the previous day in a museum, Sir Charles Latrom. To her dismay, Lyra soon discovers that Sir Charles has stolen her alethiometer and she asks Will to help her retrieve it. When Lyra and Will confront Sir Charles, he admits that he has stolen the alethiometer. He makes an agreement with the pair that if they retrieve a certain knife from Cittàgazze and give it to him, he will return the alethiometer to Lyra. Will notes that he holds a green snake in his sleeve, marking him as a man from Lyra's world. The pair successfully retrieve the knife, but Will loses the last two fingers on his left hand. This signifies that he is the new bearer of the Subtle Knife, a tool that can create windows between worlds and can cut easily through anything.
Realizing that Sir Charles is not trustworthy, Lyra and Will decide to use the knife to steal the alethiometer. While doing so, Lyra sees that Sir Charles is meeting with Mrs. Coulter, whom Sir Charles has brought from Lyra's world. She realizes that Sir Charles is really Lord Boreal, a friend of Mrs. Coulter who came to Will's world long ago and established himself in a position of power. Will, overhearing their conversation, also hears news of his father, who had discovered a doorway between the worlds. Will and Lyra return to Cittagazze, where they are hunted down by the children, who think it was their fault that one of the adults had his soul sucked out by spectres. Will and Lyra run to a tower where the children almost kill them when they are found by Serafina Pekkala. She attempts to heal Will's wound with a spell, but fails. They then continue on to find Will's father.
Back in Will's world, Dr. Malone is visited by Sir Charles, who tells them that their funding will be discontinued if they do not cooperate. Dr. Malone quits her job, but returns later that night and takes Lyra's suggestion to attempt to talk to the Dark Matter using "words." She discovers that she is to play the "serpent"
Serpent (Bible)
Serpent is the term used to translate a variety of words in the Hebrew bible, the most common being , , the generic word for "snake"....
and all her life's work has led to this. The Dust also tells her where to begin her journey and instructs her to destroy her work.
Lee Scoresby finally finds Grumman living as a shaman known as Jopari. Grumman, who summoned Scoresby, knows of the Subtle Knife and how the bearer can help Lord Asriel's cause, which will save them all. They set off in Scoresby's hot-air balloon and Grumman explains that the Subtle Knife is also how the Specters came into the world. Upon reaching Cittàgazze, however, they are caught by the Magisterium's army. Scoresby dies while holding off the soldiers, giving Grumman a chance to escape.
Mrs. Coulter tricks Sir Charles into revealing the secret of the knife. After murdering him, she catches a witch and tortures her, causing her to reveal not only Will and Lyra's location and their protectors, but that Lyra is fated to be the second Eve
Eve
Eve is the first woman created by God in the Book of Genesis.Eve may also refer to:-People:*Eve , a common given name and surname*Eve , American recording artist and actress-Places:...
. Mrs. Coulter states her intention to destroy Lyra rather than risk a second Fall.
Serafina goes to aid Scoresby, having heard his last plea for help. The rest of the party continues on. Will, unable to sleep one night, wanders up a mountain and finds Grumman, who staunches the bleeding in his hand and instructs him to take the knife to Lord Asriel, as it is the tool Asriel needs to win the great war that he is preparing against The Authority. They have a brief moment in which they realize they are actually father and son, but then a vengeful witch who loved Grumman murders him, as he had not returned her love.
Will returns to camp to find a pair of angels, Balthamos and Baruch, waiting to guide him to Lord Asriel. He agrees and goes to awaken Lyra, but discovers that she is missing. Will finds Lyra's alethiometer, which she had left behind. He then refuses to go with the angels until he finds Lyra.
Critical reception
Parents' Choice Gold Book Award; American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults; Booklist Editors' Choice; Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year; Horn Book Fanfare Honor Book; Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book; Book Links Best Book of the Year; American Bookseller Pick of the ListsFilm, television and theatrical adaptations
Before the release of The Golden Compass on December 7, 2007, New Line said that an adaptation of The Subtle Knife would go into production only if the first film was a success. The Golden Compass made over twice its budget worldwide, but was a disappointment in the United States, leaving the fate of its sequel unclear. The international rights were also originally sold to provide financing for the first film, thus amounting to a significant disappointment for New Line Cinema. Producer Deborah Forte, however, is adamant that she will finish the trilogy, saying, "I believe there are enough people who see what a viable and successful franchise we have." However, nearly 4 years after release, it's likely that the younger members of the cast have now outgrown their roles; especially given that the events of the novel take place immediately following the conclusion of the first story. This presents new significant artistic obstacles in addition to the previously mentioned financial difficulties.As the second novel of the His Dark Materials trilogy, the book has also formed part of a radio drama
Radio drama
Radio drama is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance, broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story...
on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
starring Terence Stamp
Terence Stamp
Terence Henry Stamp is an English actor. Since starting his career in 1962 he has appeared in over 60 films. His title role as Billy Budd in his film debut earned Stamp an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer.His other major roles include...
as Lord Asriel
Lord Asriel
Lord Asriel is a major character in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series and one of the main protagonists of Northern Lights.Asriel is a member of the English aristocracy in a parallel universe dominated by the Church...
and Lulu Popplewell
Lulu Popplewell
Laura Francesca "Lulu" Popplewell is an English actress and singer-songwriter. She is the younger sister of actress Anna Popplewell....
as Lyra, and as a two-part, six-hour performance for London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's Royal National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
in December 2003, running until March 2004, and a second run between November 2004 and April 2005.
External links
- BridgetotheStars.net Fansite for His Dark Materials and Philip Pullman
- HisDarkMaterials.org
- Graphical timeline (unofficial)
- ISBN 0-440-41833-X (American paperback edition)
