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Clockwork (1996)

by Philip Pullman

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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1,4154112,986 (3.94)34
Long ago in Germany, a storyteller's story and an apprentice clockwork-maker's nightmare meet in a menacing, lifelike figure created by the strange Dr. Kalmenius.
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» See also 34 mentions

English (39)  Indonesian (1)  French (1)  All languages (41)
Showing 1-5 of 39 (next | show all)
A delightful spooky tale. ( )
  davidrgrigg | Mar 23, 2024 |
2.5/5

Really strong premise, but something lacking.

The beginning was very well done, and things did fall into place after getting wound up, but not so well.

Just okay

update: i still wish the story was less boring but the symbolism of the clockwork is something that i can’t stop chewing on ( )
  telamy | Nov 6, 2023 |
This was a quick purchase from a daily deal on Audible again, picked up because I recognized Pullman's name on it. I found this to be beautiful and archaic. There focus on time, clocks, and winding was lovely and here throughout the whole piece. I loved how the story was both being told and being lived, and how they collided, and how the ending was more of a door still swinging in the wind than one that was left open or closed entirely.

Bravi. ( )
  wanderlustlover | Dec 26, 2022 |
I reread this this afternoon, because I simply wanted to lose myself in a story for a couple of hours. Rereading is always a delight because a story is never twice the same. Even so, I couldn't quite switch off the analytical bit of my brain. Previously, I'd not noticed how spectacularly well this story is constructed. Structure, pace, and interest are hard to fault. It's a fairy tale, so characters are there to perform their role, not to be developed. Even so, Pullman carefully constructs sympathy towards two characters who are still standing at the end – you can't really call them protagonists; that's not how it works.

I also hadn't noticed how the tale is a warning to storytellers. And this is because, since my last reading, I've read Pullman's, Daemon Voices. The warning is to rehearse your story and know your ending. Fritz didn't. And look what happened!

( )
  ortgard | Sep 22, 2022 |
A quick read that is creepy and page turning. A character from a tale in an inn walks in on his own story being told. An apprentice is 'so afraid of failing he never really tried'. Contrasts between those who sacrifice themselves for others and those who sacrifice others for themselves. ( )
  atreic | Apr 2, 2022 |
Showing 1-5 of 39 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (13 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Philip Pullmanprimary authorall editionscalculated
Bützow, HeleneTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Gore, LeonidIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Gore, LeonidCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
The stars move still, time runs, the clock will strike, the devil will come, and Faustus must be damn'd... -- Christopher Marlowe, Dr. Faustus
Dedication
First words
Once upon a time (when time ran by clockwork) a strange event took place in a little German town.
Quotations
"What did he look like, this philosopher of the night? He was very tall and thin, with a prominent nose and jaw. His eyes blazed like coals in caverns of darkness. His hair was long and gray, and he wore a black cloak with a loose hood like that of a mink; he had a harsh, grating voice, and his expression was full of savage curiosity.
"And that was the man who-"
Fritz stopped.
He swallowed, and his eyes moved to the door. Everyone followed his gaze. The parlor had never been so still. No one moved, no one dared to breathe, for the latch was lifting.
The door slowly opened.
On the threshold stood a man in a long black cloak with a loose hood like a monk's. His gray hair hung down on either side of his face: a long, narrow face with a prominent nose and jaw, and eyes that looked like burning coals in caverns of darkness.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Long ago in Germany, a storyteller's story and an apprentice clockwork-maker's nightmare meet in a menacing, lifelike figure created by the strange Dr. Kalmenius.

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