Cavalcade Story Cassettes Tel: 01225 335336.www. cavalcadecassettes.co.uk This unabridged dramatisation of Philip Pullman’s fine fantasy trilogy is a fast track into that world of armoured bears and soul-eating spectres, perhaps a more total absorption than would be achieved from listening to a straight reading.

Pullman narrates these powerful mythological stories in which Will finds himself in another world where he meets Lyra, the girl who can read the future, in a deep, warm voice that is a mix of mystery and power. It transports the listener into battles, missions and journeys, and also adds weight to the quotations from Blake and Milton which preface the chapters.

A cast of 40 voices supports Pullman, bringing the myriad characters, from the Angels to the wheeled Mulefa of the final book, vibrantly alive.

Lyra is suitably feisty and dynamic; Iorek Byrnison as burly and strong as an armoured bear should be. The characters’ voices convey their varied facets, like Mrs Coulter displaying both her evil ruthlessness and her painful maternal pangs for her lost daughter. They also convey their development, as in the love which matures between Will and Lyra.

After almost 35 hours’ listening, it was difficult to leave Pullman’s world behind.

RACHEL REDFORD