My Jordan Library: Subtle Scores

 

So yet another minor addition to my Jordan Library. Yes, I not only chase books, I sometimes successfully catch them. 

This is the tenth anniversary deluxe edition of The Subtle Knife. Like with most of the British editions I obtained, this was also courtesy of Abe Books, who I have to say are incredibly fast and competent, even in these our troubled times. The Amber Spyglass tenth anniversary copy remains elusive, except for rather high prices. 

This is a very nice hardcover book, which looks very complimentary beside The Golden Compass tenth anniversary copy. I believed I originally acquired that one at Borders Books, but the other two somehow slipped me by. Despite being a bookseller at the time, with an employee discount. At any rate, this edition is in good condition, with no nicks or scratches, missing pages, or writing in the margins. It of course contains the complete original American text, and sits very smoothly and comfortably in the hand. 

This version of The Subtle Knife also contains extra information at the back, mainly in the form of mysterious letters that Lord Asriel allegedly donated to Jordan College Library at some point. They belonged to Stanislaus Grumman, and are a charming little compilation of letters and maps and drawings that offer additional peaks into the world of His Dark Materials. 

These documents chronicle bits and pieces of information regarding exploration, and once again provide the feeling that so much in the Pullmanverse is seeping out around the edges - as if one actually peered through the window of the novels, they would in fact see a fully functioning, three-dimensional landscape existing independently. 

One can find smudged in-universe letters and such outlining how Grumman - who we know is actually John Parry - trekking about in Lyra's parallel world. We are treated to snippets of his introductions to everything from witch clans to shamans to Lord Asriel to his own daemon. And of course, the ever important bloodmoss with all its magical medicinal purposes.

I highly recommend picking these anniversary versions up if one has the opportunity, and I would also like to add that I finally found my long lost Golden Compass bookmark that I secured after the release of the movie! It is currently safe and buried in the pages of the Golden Compass graphic novel I bought a few weeks ago. 

So double win this week. 

Stay Dusty My Friends

#PhilipPullman #HisDarkMaterials #TheSubtleKnife #SpecialEdition