Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke Review

“I really wouldn't reccomend this book. I personally...”

Written on: 30/07/2010

I really wouldn't reccomend this book. I personally didn't like this, because - although I admit it is good writing in some points, the book itself makes no sense whatsoever. It is extremely complicated and it takes a great deal of concentration and re-reading to get your head around the storyline. I never understood the point of 'the Ruby' and all I really got was something about opium and an evil lady of some sort. I think there are parts of it (like the opium den) that are not bad, but I don't think that when all the scenes are put together it makes a book that is enjoyable to read. We read this as a book project for school, so I don't know if I judged it because of that.