42 pages • 1 hour read
Philip PullmanThe Subtle Knife
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Subtle Knife, 12-year-old Will Parry from Winchester, England, seeks his missing father and inadvertently enters a parallel universe, the vacant city of Cittàgazze, where he meets Lyra Silvertongue. Together, they uncover secrets about their worlds and destinies, including a powerful knife and the mysterious substance "Dust," while avoiding dangerous antagonists. The book explores themes of mental illness, death, and abandonment.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Philip Pullman's The Subtle Knife is widely praised for its intricate world-building and compelling characters, particularly the development of Lyra and the introduction of Will. However, some readers find the plot slightly convoluted and the pace uneven. Overall, it is celebrated for its imaginative scope and mature themes, continuing the intrigue of the His Dark Materials series.
Who Should Read The Subtle Knife?
A reader who would enjoy The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman is typically a young adult or adult who appreciates fantasy, adventure, and complex, immersive worlds. Fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia will likely find this book captivating due to its blend of magical elements and philosophical themes.
RecommendedReading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
890L