His Dark Materials: The Collectors

by Philip Pullman Narrated by Bill Nighy

Overview

This companion story to His Dark Materials is a chilling Gothic tale with a revealing glimpse of the iconic Mrs. Coulter--one of Philip Pullman's most enigmatic characters.
 
In this darkly delicious tale, internationally acclaimed author Philip Pullman invites listeners to meet the mysterious girl who will one day become the sinister Mrs. Coulter.

On a cold winter's night, two art collectors are settled before a fire in the senior common room of a college in Oxford, discussing two new unusual pieces--a portrait of a striking young woman and a bronze sculpture of a fearsome monkey. How could they imagine that they are about to be caught in the cross-fire of a story that has traveled across time and worlds¿

Watch the HBO adaptation of His Dark Materials, an original series starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dafne Keen, Andrew Scott, and Ruth Wilson!

Cover art: © Balthus, Portrait de la jeune fille en costume d'amazone, 1932 (modified 1982), Oil on canvas, private collection, 52 x 72 cm.

Editorial Reviews

SEPTEMBER 2015 - AudioFile

Here’s a warning: Hearing Bill Nighy read “The Collectors” will certainly make listeners yearn to return to the world of HIS DARK MATERIALS. Pullman’s brief story is a little marvel, and so is Nighy’s reading. His narration is so natural, complete with signature Nighy stutters, and his voice so rich and resonant that listeners are immediately ensnared. The atmospheric story of a painting of a girl and a monkey statue unfolds like a delicate and frightening puzzle; the listener understands bit by bit what’s happening and how it connects to the other books in the series, drawn along by Nighy all the while. A true pleasure. J.M.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

"This elegant edition, with black-and-white linocut illustrations by Tom Duxbury, marks the print debut of Philip Pullman's gothic novella, which is about "the girl who will become the dangerous Mrs. Coulter" in His Dark Materials." —New York Times

"Readers will be left with a renewed appreciation for one of our most sublime storytellers." —Wall Street Journal

"The slow burn from curious mystery, to the increasingly darker and ultimately horrific ending, is the classic stuff of late night gothic.  With Tom Duxbury’s lovely spare illustrations on nearly every page, The Collectors is a gorgeous visit to a much-loved literary landscape. It’s a quick read, but one to be savored, and certainly a treat worth indulging." —Locus

SEPTEMBER 2015 - AudioFile

Here’s a warning: Hearing Bill Nighy read “The Collectors” will certainly make listeners yearn to return to the world of HIS DARK MATERIALS. Pullman’s brief story is a little marvel, and so is Nighy’s reading. His narration is so natural, complete with signature Nighy stutters, and his voice so rich and resonant that listeners are immediately ensnared. The atmospheric story of a painting of a girl and a monkey statue unfolds like a delicate and frightening puzzle; the listener understands bit by bit what’s happening and how it connects to the other books in the series, drawn along by Nighy all the while. A true pleasure. J.M.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175072182
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	09/20/2022
Series:	His Dark Materials Series
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

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