A short story from the world of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust

Serpentine

A brand new short story set in the world of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust by master storyteller, Philip Pullman. 
 
Serpentine is a perfect gift for every Pullman fan, new and old. 
 
'Lyra Silvertongue, you're very welcome . . . Yes, I know your new name. Serafina Pekkala told me everything about your exploits' 
 
Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon have left the events of His Dark Materials far behind. 
 
In this snapshot of their forever-changed lives they return to the North to visit an old friend, where we will learn that things are not exactly as they seem . . . 
 
Illustrated throughout by Tom Duxbury, the perfect re-entry for fans of His Dark Materials and a wonderful companion to The Book of Dust. 
 
'It's a stunning achievement, the universe Pullman has created and continues to build on' 
New York Times 
 
'Pullman is an easeful storyteller and an intricate and inventive world-builder, and everything he has to write is worth reading' The Telegraph

[Serpentine] brings with it all the familiar delights of Pullman's work: its effortless clarity, its intelligence, its ineffable mix of coziness and darkness, innocence and experience.

Tom Duxbury's linocut-inspired illustrations give Serpentine a handsome look and accessible feel . . . Serpentine offers aficionados a poignant return to Lyra and Pan.

Foreshadowing the events of The Secret Commonwealth, this gorgeously illustrated volume is a treat for fans of the fantasy.

Philip Pullman (Author) 
Philip Pullman was born in Norwich and educated in England, Zimbabwe, Australia and Wales. He studied English at Exeter College, Oxford. 
 
His first children's book, Count Karlstein, was published in 1982. To date, he has published thirty-three books, read by children and adults alike. His most famous work is the His Dark Materials trilogy. These books have been honoured by several prizes including the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children's Book Prize, and (for The Amber Spyglass) the Whitbread Book of the Year Award - the first time that prize had been given to a children's book. Pullman has received numerous other awards, including the Eleanor Farjeon Award and the Astrid Lindgren Award. He was knighted in the 2019 New Year's Honours List for Services to Literature. 
 
Tom Duxbury (Illustrator) 
Tom Duxbury is an illustrator from the moors of West Yorkshire. His work is influenced by lino-printing, which he uses to depict feeling, movement and nostalgia. He is inspired by the spirit of nature and the narrative of a landscape. His work is represented by Artists Partners Ltd.

'Lyra Silvertongue, you're very welcome . . . Yes, I know your new name. Serafina Pekkala told me everything about your exploits' 
 
Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon have left the events of His Dark Materials far behind. 
In this snapshot of their forever-changed lives they return to the North to visit an old friend, 
where we will learn that things are not exactly as they seem . . . 
 
Illustrated throughout by Tom Duxbury, the perfect re-entry for fans of His Dark Materials 
and a wonderful companion to The Book of Dust, 
Serpentine is a brand-new special read for Pullman fans old and new.

Philip Pullman

Tom Duxbury

A short story from the world of His Dark Materials and the Book of Dust

'D'you - er - have you seen her before?' 
'Yes. I know who she is.' 
'But, Grinstead, this painting is seventy years old - probably nearer eighty! You're not being serious - I mean . . . What do you mean?' 
 
On a dark winter's night in 1970, Horley and Grinstead huddle for warmth in the Senior Common Room of a college in Oxford. Conversation turns to the two impressive works of art that Horley has recently added to his collection. 
 
What the two men don't know is that these pieces are connected in mysterious and improbable ways; and they are about to be caught in the cross-fire of a story which has travelled time and worlds.

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