Significances in Lyras Oxford (was Re: Philip Pullman trilogy)

[Tim Regan]

Hi All,

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter Eloise wrote:
> Oh, yeah. Sorry, I wasn't clear. I've got Lyra's 
> Oxford (and am wondering about all the hidden 
> significances I am apparently missing). I meant 
> the next full-length novel. I presume, from the 
> postcard and the presence of Mary's writing on 
> the cruise programme that she will be featuring. 
> I hope so. 

Here are two possible significances:
1) Clarissa Coulter's book, "The Bronze Clocks of Benin", advertised 
on the reverse of the map, may be where she had the spyflies made.
2) Remember the cruise liner itinerary? Well, Smyrna is the former 
name of Izmir, a city in Turkey, a city with a large ancient tower. 
Maybe Smyrna/Izmir could be the name of Cittegazze in our world. 
Maybe the annotation is to Lyra and Will's first meeting.
(The first one's mine, the second is from `humhumhum' at 
http://www.darkmaterials.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21)

Then there are the new characters. Pullman let slip in an interview 
that one of them is important in "The Book of Dust". That must be 
the alchemist?

Cheers,

Dumbledad