How The Golden Compass enchanted singer-songwriter Banners for years

Mike Nelson, the singer-songwriter also known as Banners, loves Philip Pullman's award-winning novel The Golden Compass. The English musician, whose songs include the 2015 single Shine a Light, explains why he feels such a connection to this children's classic.

A book that reminds us that we're never alone

"I first read it when I was 12 years old. It's about a girl called Lyra who lives in a parallel world alongside the one that we live in. She loses her best friend, Roger, and the book is about her adventure to go and find him. There's a concept that souls are manifested as little spirit animals that are with us all the time and are called dæmons, which are sentient and attached to the human, like a reflection of their better selves. I just love the concept of never really being alone, always having someone with you. And I think the point the author is making is that you are never really alone."

A conflicted reading

"It's the only book I've ever cried over. There are bits in it I look forward to and absolutely dread. It feels like the heartbreaking things that happen to these characters that I love so much are only happening because I continue to read the book — so you find yourself partly responsible for it." 

Mike Nelson'​s comments have been edited and condensed.