The Book of Dust, #3
The Rose Field
by Philip Pullman
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Two: Coruscating
Overview
Delamare’s sermon triggers a global manhunt for Lyra while Magisterial teams intensify sealing the inter-world openings. Bonneville’s pursuit collapses in Armenia when he’s betrayed and arrested. Trapped by unrest, Lyra flees with Ionides, boarding Leila Pervani’s fishing boat and escaping by sea, shifting the story toward a covert northern journey.
Summary
Marcel Delamare’s sermon ignites worldwide attention: newspapers and patrons publicize Lyra’s identity and offer rewards. Meanwhile, at La Maison Juste, officials reassess the true number of mysterious openings while Colonel Schreiber’s explosive method remains standard for sealing them, overcoming local resistance through force or diplomacy.
Olivier Bonneville, expelled from Magisterial lodging but armed with funds and papers, heads east to hunt Lyra and reclaim the alethiometer. Mustafa Bey’s assassination collapses credit, stranding his bus in Armenia. Seeking sanctuary, Bonneville flatters Father Katcheres, but the priest summons armed men who beat, cuff, and march Bonneville away, seizing his rucksack as rain begins.
In the riot-silenced city, Lyra craves news, writes Malcolm by lodestone, and talks with Asta about Pan’s distant anxiety. Remembering Dr. Hassall’s Tajik romance, Lyra experiments with her Myriorama, spinning a story of a rose-picker and a sky-borne message, until a nearby explosion cuts her short.
Ionides arrives and urges immediate flight. He guides Lyra and Asta through backstreets to the harbor, where they steal a dinghy and reach a red-hulled fishing boat. Its master is Leila Pervani, who gets them under way. As they clear the harbor into open sea, Lyra’s fear eases; the group heads north.
Who Appears
- Lyra Silvertongue (Miss Silver)Isolated amid riots, writes Malcolm via lodestone, experiments with Myriorama, then flees with Ionides and boards Leila Pervani’s fishing boat.
- AstaLyra’s dæmon; senses Pan’s distant anxiety, helps prompt the Myriorama story, stays alert during their escape.
- IonidesAdvises immediate departure, guides Lyra through backstreets, steals a dinghy, and delivers her to Leila Pervani’s boat.
- Leila PervaniBoat captain who takes Lyra and Ionides aboard and sets course north out to sea.
- Olivier BonnevillePursues Lyra to claim reward but is stranded by financial collapse, then betrayed, beaten, and arrested in Madina.
- Father KatcheresSuspicious village priest who shelters then betrays Bonneville to armed men.
- Housekeeper (Father Katcheres’s servant)Facilitates the betrayal; fetches men and hands over Bonneville’s rucksack.
- Marcel DelamareHis sermon fuels media frenzy and bounties for Lyra, reshaping public and political pressure.
- Colonel SchreiberHis explosive method remains standard for sealing inter-world openings despite sporadic resistance.