The Collectors

- Philip Pullman

Midland, WA

November 7, 2021

Goodreads Book Blurb:

On a cold winter’s night, two art collectors are settled before a fire in the Senior Common Room of a college in Oxford, discussing the unusual pieces one has recently added to his collection. What the two men don’t know is that the portrait of a striking young woman and the bronze sculpture of a fearsome monkey are connected in mysterious ways. How could they imagine that they are about to be caught in the cross-fire of a story which has traveled time . . . and worlds.

Series / Genres:

My Review:

almost perfect:

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.5/5

The Collectors is a slightly abstract part of the His Dark Materials series, only connected by an indirect mention of Mrs Coulter and her daemon. The story is gripping, fast-paced, and more interesting with every page. Every character receives their just rewards, and the mystery is never fully explained or solved. I loved it. This short story is exactly the right length and is the perfect mix of vague and descriptive. The Collectors left me wanting more, but in a “because this story is awesome” kind of way, not a “this should have been longer” way.