When I saw that I might be able to review a Graphic novel adaption of Northern Lights I was overjoyed. I am an enormous fan of the original series and I knew I would have to review it, no matter what. The thing is, when it arrived I was a little disappointed.
The original is an impressive tome that goes into heaps of detail and really depicts an image in your mind. The graphic novel was a little small. Thin. Understated. Though I do like the pictures, having only the very important scenes included didn’t really work and it skips bits and pieces that would be useful to the reader. It’ll have Lyra speaking to John Faa in one scene, the next she’ll be back on the gyptian boat with Ma Costa.
All graphic novels do this, I know, but really it’d be a lot better if they could work on a thicker, more detailed version. Having read the full novels I think that the way the illustrator depicts Lyra and her view of things is strangely inaccurate. She seems kind of quaint and doll-like rather than opinionated and aggressive. Pantalaimon seems like he’s got no personality (this is no fault of the illustrator).
On the other hand, I love the rooftop scenes. The drawings there are really big and grey and I love that. I also love the way Lord Asriel and Pantalaimon are drawn – exactly how I think they should look. I love all the landscape bits – they look really cool. I think the drawings improve the book a lot, and they are what made it really pop. I do not think this book is quite what I expected, and I mean that in the best possible way. I give it a 6 out of 10.
- Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
