La Belle Sauvage cover art

La Belle Sauvage

The Book of Dust: Volume One

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La Belle Sauvage

By: Philip Pullman
Narrated by: Michael Sheen
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The British Book Awards Audiobook of the Year 2018

2019 CAMEO Book to Audio

Best Solo Narration - New York Festival Radio Awards

Shortlisted Best Audiobook Narrator - Audio Production Awards

Penguin presents the audio download edition of La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman, read by Michael Sheen.

Eleven-year-old Malcolm Polstead and his dæmon, Asta, live with his parents at the Trout Inn near Oxford. Across the River Thames (which Malcolm navigates often using his beloved canoe, a boat by the name of La Belle Sauvage) is the Godstow Priory where the nuns live. Malcolm learns they have a guest with them; a baby by the name of Lyra Belacqua....

©2017 Philip Pullman (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy

Critic Reviews

"As a reader and a fan, I was hugely excited on hearing that Phillip was returning to the story of Lyra and Dust and challenging the Authority. And, as an actor, it was a true privilege to be asked to record La Belle Sauvage, the first book of this new work." (Michael Sheen)

"The best piece of narration I've ever heard." (The Bookseller)

"Michael Sheen's narration of Philip Pullman's new novel is better than an army of voice actors. His voice is impressive, from the crisp, definitive consonants of its higher registers to the rumbly bass notes Sheen summons when some menace enters the scene, to the vast, buttery expanse of his middle range." ( Slate)
All stars
Most relevant  
Outstanding performance by Michael Sheen and a great new addition to the Dark Materials series.

Great Story

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The story takes place before the Golden Compass when Lyra is a baby and is set in Oxford like the Golden Compass. However this Oxford is being threatened by flooding and the action unfolds with it as a backdrop.

Love this series

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A fitting lead in to the Dark Materials series. Beautiful narration from a talented performer.

Amazing performance from Michael Sheen

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loved the book taking us back to when Lyra was a baby. easy to listen to, great narration. want as good as the original books I don't think but still a great read

great read

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I love this book! Fans of His Dark Materials will not be disappointed with this latest adventure in Phillip Pullman’s mystical world of dust and daemons.
I read the book when it was released, but couldn’t resist revisiting it as told by the wonderfully talented Michael Sheen (I’m thrilled that he’s continuing the series). Michael Sheen’s narration is nothing short of brilliant—he’s delightfully expressive and does the voices! What more could you ask for?!

Enchanting story, beautifully narrated

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Oh I just love Philip Pullman he is a marvellous author this story was truly wonderful so exciting and unique Michael Sheen is brilliant his performances full of exciting characters. I couldn’t stop listening. Thank goodness the next book is ready to read.

THE PERFECT BOOK

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An interesting story that was captivating for myself despite being for young teenager and readers. Great narration.

Listened because of children

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Michael Sheen's reading is magnificent. The story itself, a prequel to His Dark Materials, was a wee bit unsatisfying, but it wasn't written for my age group so perhaps I can't really judge. Still, I cannot praise Sheen's narration highly enough. Award-winning stuff!

Wonderful narration.

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Having read the Golden Compass series as a child and revisited them as an adult, I had to try out Pullman's latest addition to that world. This is of course a children's book, however I would recommend it to anyone. I was so engrossed in the magical world of the flood and love that Pullman doesn't talk down to children. the moral and cultural ideas explored in Pullman's alternate world are worth all children exploring. I think he has written another children's classic with this one. Listen and lose yourself.

Delightful & enchanting

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Don't get me wrong, I loved the story, but Sheen's narration was just superb and lifted the whole story to a higher level. I wasn't sure about a prequel to a much loved series, but Pullman doesn't disappoint. I can't wait for the next installment!

Superb narration.

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