A beautiful edition of Tolkien’s classic children’s story. Leaving his comfortable hobbit hole Bilbo Baggins goes on a reluctant adventure to defeat a dragon, and along the way he encounters the vile, but pathetic Gollum, and his ‘Precious’ – a ring to rule them all.
The Secret Commonwealth
Illustrated by Peter Bailey
The second book in Philip Pullman’s 'Book of Dust' series, the Folio Society edition of The Secret Commonwealth is beautifully illustrated by Peter Bailey, including a stunning metallic-blocked binding design.
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‘He has created a fantasy world, made yet more satisfying in this new volume and pursued with his own special rigour and stylistic elegance. This is a book for getting older with.’
- The Guardian
Twenty years have passed since the events of La Belle Sauvage and Lyra is now a student at St Sophia’s College, Oxford. A mature young woman with strong beliefs and a frequently fraught relationship with her daemon, Pantalaimon, Lyra has become disillusioned and suspicious of the world around her. A multi-layered plot that develops previous characters – such as Malcolm Polstead – and introduces new ones, the second novel in 'The Book of Dust' series bolts at breakneck speed through a brutal murder, international espionage, murky dealings by the Magisterium and a falling out between Lyra and Pan that threatens their relationship and their lives. Series artist Peter Bailey returns with another set of 11 incredible illustrations, while the metallic cloth binding and printed slipcase is designed in series with La Belle Sauvage.
Bound in screen-printed and blocked metallic cloth
Set in Adobe Caslon
576 pages
Frontispiece plus 10 full-page colour illustrations
Printed slipcase
9½˝ x 6¼˝
With 11 full-page colour illustrations, the second novel in The Book of Dust trilogy seamlessly blends art and literature for the ultimate edition of Pullman’s internationally acclaimed series. Peter Bailey’s artwork intertwines with the fast-paced plot and allows the reader to visualise the now-adult world of Lyra and Malcolm. The dramatic binding design is also Bailey’s creation; a scene of foreboding that is blocked in metallic silver to complement the series design.
‘Engrossing storytelling and a vivid portrait of the often painful transition to adulthood and autonomy.’
- The Financial Times
The all-seeing and intimidating Magisterium remains Lyra’s hurdle in her quest for the truth, so when a murdered man is found to have been keeping secrets from the religious dominion, she feels compelled to investigate. Her journey is a lonely one; after an argument with Pan, she must travel apart from her beloved daemon who seeks answers elsewhere. Her perilous travels take her across Europe and the East as she dodges those determined to foil her quest, however, her trusted ally Malcolm Polstead is never far behind. The young boy who rescued baby Lyra is now a fiercely loyal man with a strong sense of moral justice and will stop at nothing on the search to expose the truth. Will our trio discover the knowledge before it’s destroyed by those who wish to keep it a secret?