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 Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Fantasy Funny

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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
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I've been hoping it will be good and it didn't disappoint. However, too much of the book is taken up by the journey. It gets a bit repetitive... I would have welcomed more 'theory' rather than adventure, but I enjoyed it.

Oh and narration is perfect.

80% Perfect

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So much better than the bbc abridged version. Well worth getting. Michael Sheen really bought it to life. Looking forward to the next.

Michael Sheen was brilliant!

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Extraordinary performance by Mr Sheen
Wonderful storytelling by Mr Pullman
Mesmerising
Bravo Mike and Phil

Tour de force<br />

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Excellent narration by Michael Sheen; his acting talents brought the book to life. Very likeable and mostly plausible characters in Malcolm and Alice, although at times, in their actions and interactions with situations, it was hard to believe they were youngsters, even for a fantasy book.
Storyline became a little bit of a drudge, especially the travel on the River. Encounters on their journey were exciting although one encounter with a fairy seemed totally out of sync with the main flow of the tale.
The overall story and the ending gave me enough of a buzz to want to read the next book.........I presume there will be another?

Good attempt at a prequel

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A wonderful story, as expected. Martin Sheen's narration is spectacular. A modern classic in the making, highly recommended.

Fantastic

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Really enjoyed this book. Couldn't stop listening. Michael Sheen is an amazing narrator. Getting the second book on Audible now!

Amazing narrator

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I absolutely loved this. I read the book myself on its release a few years ago so the story was familiar. I love Pullman's universe(s) and Michael Sheen does a fantastic job of narrating.

Wonderful book, fantastic narration

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A thrilling and magical read, gripping from start to finish. Even though there where some dark moments the book still had a cosy element. Another excellent book from Phillip Pullman. Very well read by Michael Sheen who has a lovely tone. I highly recommend this book.

Brilliantly written and narrated

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It feels like I've been waiting forever to get a new fix after being blown away by the Dark Materials trilogy. La Belle Savage didn't disappoint.

Michael Sheen is a wonderful narrator, he becomes the characters, he embodies them, well vocally!

This is a beautifully performed Philip Pullman classic. If you loved the Dark Materials trilogy then you'll really enjoy this.

The next trilogy to take over my life.

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Amazing story and beautifully told, but it’s hard not to visualise Terry Wogan when Sheen does his Irish accents.

Can’t get wogan out of my head

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