Daemon Voices

Sounding erudite and professorial, author Philip Pullman delivers this collection of his nonfiction writings. The tone is apt, as many of these speeches and essays were originally given as lectures at universities or published as introductions to new editions of classic works. Topics range from his own writing process, such as for the His Dark Materials series, to the importance of fairy tales and his thoughts on religion and spirituality. Pullman's interests are clearly wide ranging, and his enthusiasm for, say, the charms of the illustrations in classics like Arthur Ransome's SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS and Tove Jansson's Moomins books invites listeners to want to learn more. It's a worthwhile listen for insights into the mind of the writer. J.M.D. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine