Review: The Subtle Knife

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

To talk about this book without at least a few spoilers is impossible, for me at the least.

The story kept me engrossed. A lot is happening over here and no words seem wasted. That's something I've huge respect for. But unlike the previous volume, which feels episodic and having a certain level of closure like the end of a season in a series, this book is a cliff hanger, making you run and buy the next volume immediately. And such interest has been built up, one can't but immediately start reading he next one.

I'm really intrigued by the Spectres, particularly their origins and functions. What purpose do they serve? A lot of story hinges on the presence of these Spectres and Cittàgazze that I solemnly hope that author gives a reasonably logical and justifiable backstory and I'm almost afraid that I'd be disappointed. Fingers crossed. (I really did cross them now while typing this).

While I liked the overall story there are many things that I didn't like about the book. I have bone to pick with the author regarding the following things, that might not be such sore points to someone else. But, like always, my review and hence my opinions and hence the parts which felt to me like a damp underwear during a meeting at midday are discussed below.

Ohk, I accede that the concept of a knife cutting into different worlds is bizarre to say the least, but at least no more weirder than the all-knowing alethiometer. Well I could think of the knife as opening wormholes, but what about the energy required for opening such portals, where the heck is it coming from?

Coming to Dr. Malone, I want to scream loudly that that's not how research happens. Even for the most skilled and talented researcher, changing the output format from some rudimentary scintillations on the screen to something coherent like fully formed words and sentences, would take months if not years. So the author wrote it as if all it took was one evening for Dr. Malone to come up with a working program was inconceivable. I felt even being vague or something like 'after a week', would have served the cause better.

The part about Tullio, who for someone who wielded such important tool/weapon was too obscure and rushed.

The single biggest thing that kept gnawing me was the way author described Lyra as a child without imagination. Lyra's deeds in this and previous volume betrays his portrayal of her, particularly the way she dealt with Iofur Raknison and the way she tries to make sense of the 'cave' the moment she comes in contact with it at Dr. Malone's lab.

Still, a must read, more so because story is good and you've already read the first volume and now after reading this would start the third volume without any further delay.

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