LA BELLE SAUVAGE

Philip Pullman returns to the world of His Dark Materials with this magnificent new novel, set ten years before Northern Lights and featuring his much-loved character, Lyra Belacqua.

The Book of Dust?is a work in three parts, like?His Dark Materials.?The first volume of ?The Book of Dust _ which has been speculated about for years _ will be published on Thursday 19 October 2017.

22 years after Northern Lights (July 1995) _ the first of his world-famous His Dark Materials trilogy, which has sold more than 17.5m copies in over 40 languages _ The Book of Dust will return to the parallel world that has enthralled readers young and old.

The plot and title of this first story will remain under wraps until a later date, but it can be revealed that the book is set 10 years before Northern Lights and centres on the much-loved character, Lyra Belacqua. Alethiometers, daemons and the Magisterium return to play their part, but the book also introduces a host of new characters, including a new hero.

Philip Pullman comments: I know from their letters and tweets that my readers have been waiting patiently (mostly) for The Book of Dust for a long time. It gives me great pleasure and some excitement at last to satisfy their curiosity (and mine) about this book."