Not up to the same standard as 'His Dark Materials' but it's aimed at a different market, I guess.

I found the writing good, creating that dreamlike, unreal, almost nightmarish feeling when your world is suddenly turned upside down.
The book grips you and you feel dragged along with our heroine as she tries to make sense of what is happening and the 'visions' she has; the only failing is the ending which seems a bit of an anticlimax.

Nevertheless, a very good read.

This was nice and yet it was slow to begin with. I enjoyed it very much. I have read almost all his other books and am hoping to get the one coming out in January. I got so into this book it took me one night to finish it.

The Broken Bridge is a beautifully written book about a girl named Ginny Howard, who is one of the very few black children in Wales. Ginny lives with her father, striving to reach her goal of becoming an artist. Then she finds out that she has a white half-brother named Robert. Even worse, she is illegitimate. Knowing that her father may not be telling her the whole truth about her own life, Ginny decides to find out all that she can about herself and her mother. The plot is embellished with Ginny's unique ideas about herself and also her artistic views. This book was very inspiring and I find that I can associate many of the things discussed in it with my own life. I am definitely better off from reading it.

I found this book to be written slightly different than others written by Philip Pullman, but still very enjoyable. The story, although short, was still adventurous and fun and the characters were developed very well.

This is a lovely example of a children's 'fairy tale' or fable. Although not as complex as his dark materials trilogy, it's also quite short, this is still a good story. Adults uninterested in folktales may not be enamoured, but it should certainly appeal to the younger kids. Certainly as bedtime story for the 7 year olds (+ or - a few years), and could quite possibly appeal to those enjoying Harry Potter. Would probably make a good short film.

This book was a refreshing and unique read because it was so unlike other books that I have read;in the uncommon but pleasing language, the magical setting, the colourful characters and the unique and fantastic story line.

could have written this opus on the history of atomic theory AND felt compelled to cite the views of both Nietzsche (the phenomenalist Antichrist) and Marx ("Hadrons of the World Unite"??). To round things out, there's even a quote from Levi-Strauss! To be sure, this is a flawed opus. Published posthumously in 1998 (the author died in 1996), the text has a hurried feel to it, as if compiled from notes by an anonymous editor. As a consequence, the coverage is as uneven as the chapter lengths variable. Chapter 6 ("Principles and Primordial Substances") consists of one very helpful figure with a one-paragraph description, together occupying the better part of a single page. The chapter on "Hindu Atomism" (much touted in the pages of the journal, Science) rightly attribues atomism to the Hindu Nyaya-Vaishisheka school. But it neglects the much more prominent place of atomism in Buddhism (with its doctrine of momentariness), devoting only 1/2 page (of 8 total!) to Buddhist thought. In contrast, the chapter on the 20th century takes up nearly 100 pages. On the whole, Western philosophy fares better; yet the hackneyed phrasing of Whitehead's famous quote about footnotes to Plato--"All of Western philosophy is but a long commentary on the writings of Plato" [p.49]--indicates that the translation leaves something to be desired. Still, the work does have its "moments." Part I on the Greek inception of atomic theory, 4 element theory, Platonic/Pythagorean modifications, and the Aristotelean arch-enemy (of undifferentiated substance and divinely impressed form) is excellent, as is Part IV, which focuses on the scientific developments of the 19th & 20th centuries. The intervening Parts II (the "dark ages") and III (Renaissance to Enlightenment) are tedious and unhelpful litanies of obscure names devoid of historical context. The 7-page chapter on Kant is particularly disappointing (nor does the author seem to recognize the strong similarity with Bohr's views). Ditto the naive comment that "a few philosophers such as Hume occasionally challenged the notion of causality." Had the author not intentionally dodged the fundamental problem of the relationship between "the mathematical structures produced by the human mind with the structure of phenomena of Nature" (p. 291), this book would have been far richer. Instead, like Epicurus, his true motivation is to extol the *moral* value of atomism in an accidental universe without purpose (cf. p. 212), and to debunk the Aristotelean/Catholic notion underlying transubstantiation of the Eucharist (p. 125). This partially explains his not infrequent lapses into Whiggism (cf. pp. 224, 233, 241). Still, there is not another work like this one. And although "the victory of the classical atomic theory proved short-lived...if it had ever materialized [p. 256, sic!]" the unfolding of the atomic vision of the universe, from the pre-Socratics to quantum uncertainty, makes an exhilirating story.

This book provides a nice survey of competing schools of thought, including nonwestern societies such as Hinduism and Islam. Occasionally a paragraph or sentence seems to contradict another nearby, as if the author, editor, and reviewers missed it. These might be resolved but that doesn't help the reader if the solution isn't apparent. After all, we read it to get the scoop, not to add on to our present confusions. Also, there is that maddening habit of providing translations from ancient sources that need further translation despite their appearance in English. This happens when the translator sees no need to stop, think, and either offer the reader something that makes sense or simply avoid the choice of translated material altogether. This habit is widespread and I did indeed expect to see it in Pullman's book too.

Excellent overview from pre-Socratic philosphy/chemistry up to modern chemical concepts. Focus is primarily on the conceptual nature of theories and science and how the paradigms shift with new data. I thoroughly enjoy owning this book.

Let me start out by saying that this book was written excellently, and yet, he kept the story very short and not too wordy. "I was a Rat" is a book about a rat that turns into a boy. it starts out withh the rat-boy, whos name is Roger, knocking on the door of this old couple. The couple ask who he is and where he is from, but all he says is that he was a rat. So the couple take him in for the night. Since the boy was a rat, he didn't know anything about being a boy. So the whole story portrays a rat becoming a human in a comical and exciting narrative. Thos book was very humorous, yet serious in it's own way. i loved this book. A great read.

Start off with an interesting mystery, then move into a series of ever more tragic adventures, and somehow--with a little love and luck--succeed in the end. This is the hallmark of a terrific children's story, which isn't just for children. The story is for the kids, but the subtext is for the adults. "I Was A Rat!" includes some interesting critique of tabloid media attention (bringing a classic fairy tale to the modern age), overreactions, and the testimony of "experts."
Pullman has a habit of telling great stories with "deeper" meaning, which is why he's so readable. Kids and adults alike should enjoy this.

"It's what he is that matters, not what he does." Or is it the other way around?

I just completed a one afternoon read of "I Was a Rat." Couldn't put it down. I had the same experience with the Harry Potter books.

Philip Pullman is a master of satire, adventure, and mystery. This sequel to Perrault's Cinderella story is as much an adult book as an intermediate grade-school book as listed. Some call it Dickensian because of the many twisted misadventures the amnesiac hero experience as he stumbles through the streets of English society. It's fun to gradually recognize the familiar "Cinderella" story unravel as the answer to the puzzle of rat-boy's origin. After the Princess solves the mystery, confesses her doubts about her life with the Prince, and proves to be kind to those in need, I saw a similarity to the life of Princess Diana. See if you feel the same.

A moral lesson or two or three can be explored and embraced if your experiences and psycho/social needs warrant them. Can we believe what we see and hear? Should we trust our

own perceptions or those of the press and politicians? Is inclusion a safe policy? Shouldn't those 'out of the norm' be put away for the safety of all? What about old habits and innate genetic predispositions? Can an individual given love and patient guidance choose to overcome antisocial behaviors? Should we follow our hearts? - after all, Cinderella (now that we know what really happened) and Princess Diana did and look what happened to them.

Most of all, of course, it's unique, fast moving and fun. A great book to read to kids from 7 to 107.

It's a Dickensian Batman, a Victorian Superman. Up on the roof: It's a bird! It's a cat! It's Spring-Heeled Jack, the devil-costumed defender of truth and justice. Unfortunately, while Jack has some intriguing possibilities, they're never used enough in this lackluster little novel.

Rose, Lily and Ned have escaped from the rotten orphanage (their mom is dead and their father is missing), with plans to sell a valuable locket and travel to America. But they are attacked by Mack the Knife, "the most evil villain in London," who kidnaps Ned. Lily and Rose are rescued by a mysterious figure who resembles the devil. But it's not a devil, it's Spring-Heeled Jack, who perkily informs them, "I'm good. I catch villains. I avenge wrongs. I do all kinds of stuff." (But does he slice, dice, and freshen your breath while you sleep?)

Jack takes Lily and Rose to his friend Polly, unaware that the sinister boss and amoral old maid from the orphanage are after the three children, intending to steal the locket as well. Will Spring-Heeled Jack rescue the incredibly outspoken Ned from a gang of thugs? Will he rescue the girls from Mr. Killjoy and Miss Gimlet?

One of the problems with "Spring-Heeled Jack" is the narrative. It's split between comic-strip-style cartoons and regular text -- and unfortunately neither the text or the cartoons can stand alone in telling the story. This jarring transition might be exciting for very young children, especially if a parent is reading the story out loud, but older kids will probably find it jarring. And unfortunately while corny dialogue can be stomached in the cartoon format, the regular narrative just makes it sound trite.

This cutesy arrangement also harms the characters, as every one of them is essentially a stereotype except Spring-Heeled Jack himself. There are the kindly young lovers, the evil orphanage owners, the unusually patient murdering robbers, the loyal pooch and the plucky preteens. With the exception of a very witty cartoon kitchen cat, Jack himself is the only interesting character in the bunch. He's also the most underexposed, since he is present perhaps a fourth of the time that the bland Polly is.

Fans of Philip Pullman's charming "I Was A Rat!" and "Firework-Maker's Daughter" will be disappointed in this calculatedly cutesy tale. One to pass by.

If ever a book was created for a child with ADD, this is it. In a mix of narrative and comic book panels, 3 orphans escape from an orphanage intending to purchase tickets to America. When young Ned is kidnapped, a legendary British superhero comes to their aid: Springheeled Jack, a trickster type.
Quotes from famous authors, like Hugo and Dickens, preface each chapter, with a variation of the quote becoming the opening line. This device takes an amusing turn when Pullman quotes himself, and the first line of the book. Footnotes abound, and a silly pseudo-French menu lends humor.
The nineteenth century melodramatic tones and orphan adventure will bring Lemon Snicket to mind; perhaps the popularity of the Baudelaire twins adventures is the reason for the reissue. Whatever the reason, Pullman delivers his trademark combination of child heroes embarking on an adventure spiced with a bit of mystery. This fun fast-paced romp is a great intro to the graphic novel format for younger readers.

IT was wonderful i read it many times it was very easy but lovable. I even read it to my kids.