What I think each character symbolizes

In "The Golden Compass", each character is very special and unique. To me, they each represent a little part of the world, and, even if this wasn't intentionally done by Phillip Pullman, is something that I enjoy seeing develop as I further my journey with this book.

The protagonist of the book, Lyra, symbolizes a snake to me. She is always around, waiting for an opportunity to make her move, and prove herself. For example, when Lyra has the alethiometer, and her "mentor", Farder Coram, is struggling to read it, Lyra is able to finally prove herself. It is almost as if she reveals herself from the shadows and becomes incredibly successful. Farder Coram actually says "Tell me what you're doing" because he is frustrated that Lyra can understand the alethiometer and he can't.

Farder Coram, on the other hand, is like a turtle. Turtles have always symbolized wisdom, and Farder Coram is a wise man. He soaks in all of the information, and if he doesn't understand something, he hides away under his shell of shame like a turtle.

Finally, we come to Mrs. Coulter. She is like a dove. So elegant, so graceful, yet always getting in the way and being annoying. It seems like she is everywhere, just like a dove. She manages to come across as a nice woman, and then throws that persona away to reveal her true self.

Why I Chose to Read "The Golden Compass", and First Thoughts

After "The Shack", I wanted a book that would actually keep me entertained. I searched and searched and searched and finally came across "The Golden Compass". I'd heard so many good things about this book. I heard that it was intriguing, that it pulled the reader in, and that it had a good plot. I also heard that there was a movie affiliated with this book, and, since I love movies but always try to read the book first, I decided to pick this up.

After reading about 130 pages of the book (seems like a lot, but really isn't), I must say that I am intrigued. There was a fantastic buildup to the book: Not much action, but you can't expect that in the first few pages of a book. Phillip Pullman, the author of the book, has baffled me with some of the plot twists that have already happened. I like the fantasy that has been incorporated into the book, and the author uses a variety of syntax and diction, such as saying "I en't" to show the ghetto talk of the characters. As I continue reading this book, I hope to continue experiencing these feelings of surprise that have come with the book. Hopefully the plot will continue to build the way it has, and I can't wait to see how the story progresses. One of the things about this book that really intrigued was the first sentence of the book, "Lyra and her daemon moved through the darkening hall, taking care to keep to one side, out of sight of the kitchen" (Pullman, 1). This line made me want to continue reading the book, to see why they were keeping to one side, and who was out of the kitchen.

Book Review for "The Shack"

"The Shack" was a book that I was very excited to start reading. Now that I have finished it, I must say that I am disappointed. I went into the book expecting a nice mystery novel, with a lot of suspense and a lot of adventure. William Paul Young did not, at least to me, deliver in this book.

One of the things that irked me was that religion was the biggest topic of the book. I don't know why an author, or why a publishing company would advertise the book so as to make it seem like a mystery novel. Nowhere on the cover of the book, or in the description of the book, is it explained that the majority of the book discusses God and religious beliefs and whatnot. When you get to the point in the novel where God, Jesus, and Sarayu are introduced, you can't help but feel your heart sink like the Titanic. How could a book that had such a good beginning (good start of a mystery) turn out to be nothing but religious talk for the next 200 pages?

Granted, the book would be enjoyable if you are incredibly religious. It touches on some of the fundamental laws of Christianity, and really would make you more of a believer than you already are. It would definitely hit home if that's what your life is devoted to... If not, put down the book and choose something else.

Yes, the book is fictional. But the way the author writes it makes it seem as this man is really experiencing something that he's obviously not. If the book was about a topic that isn't so widespread, and is a completely original topic, I would be okay with the fact that everything is completely unrealistic. This, however, is a little overboard with everything.

*SPOILER ALERT*
C'mon now. You're going to put the protagonist in a position where he has no choice but to have a reconciliation with his dad? You're going to have God, for God's sake, looking over him while he looks into his father's eyes and apologizes? This particular event really annoyed me, and as emotional as it is, it is not something that I personally enjoyed reading.

This book is intended for Christians. If you are not Christian, but you want a spiritual story, then this book is for you, too. I'd give this book a 4/10 because it was written about something I am not passionate about.