Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials

[Static Universe]

Anybody read these books?

The reviews sound very interesting, and I was just curious if anyone here had any first hand knowledge of them. They look pretty dark.



Amazon Link

In an epic trilogy, Philip Pullman unlocks the door to a world parallel to our own, but with a mysterious slant all its own. Dæmons and winged creatures live side by side with humans, and a mysterious entity called Dust just might have the power to unite the universes--if it isn't destroyed first. Here, the three paperback titles in Pullman's heroic fantasy series are united in one dazzling boxed set. Join Lyra, Pantalaimon, Will, and the rest as they embark on the most breathtaking, heartbreaking adventures of their lives. The fate of the universe is in their hands. The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass pit good against evil in a way no reader will ever forget. (Ages 13 and older) --Emilie Coulter

[Kuciwalker]

Yup, they're good books. I love the premise hehe

[Static Universe]

Originally posted by skywalker
Yup, they're good books. I love the premise hehe

I read a couple of reviews from Christian websites and they really rail on this book. Is it really what they say it's about?

It sounds great.

[Kuciwalker]

Probably. Unless you're a fundamentalist, read it. Even if you're a fundamentalist, read it

[Static Universe]

Originally posted by skywalker
Probably. Unless you're a fundamentalist, read it. Even if you're a fundamentalist, read it

Thanks! I'll pick it up tomorrow.

[monolith94]

I'm going to borrow them from my little sister next time I'm home.

[FrustratedPoet]

I found the anti-christian propaganda in the later books to be rather disturbing - and I'm atheist!

I expect the Christian reviews of it make a bit too big of a deal about it. However, I think that Pullman using children's literature as a platform for pushing his anti-christian propaganda is a bit contemptable.

Religious commentary has no place in children's books IMHO.

[jdd2007]

wonderful books

[monolith94]

"Religious commentary has no place in children's books IMHO."

Chronicles of Narnia???
I read the Innocents Abroad when I was a tot and that definitely has some commentary in it... Never did me any harm.

[FrustratedPoet]

Narnia sucks.

[monolith94]

Some of them do. The Magician's Nephew and the Horse and His Boy are brilliant, while I could do without Prince Caspian.

[Elok]

I've never read the books themselves...I have, however, read an article, w/interview, in the Washington Post. I got the strong impression that the guy was condemning ideas he didn't even properly understand. The article quoted Pullman as making all sorts of ridiculous remarks; he completely misread certain sections of the chronicles of narnia, and seeing as the CoN are children's books that's pretty frigging sad. I'll try and check out the books the next time I go to the library, maybe see if they're as half-assed as they sound.
I particularly liked Pullman's comment about how fantasy books shouldn't emphasize the otherworldliness of their settings. Of course, that's the whole point of fantasy as a genre; otherwise it's realistic fiction. Is the guy missing some marbles or what?

[Bosh]

The first one one's of the best young adult fantasy books out there, it definately blows Harry Potter away...
As long as you don't mind all the main characters being kids, go for it.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Just fantastic. The fact that they piss off fundies is a terrific bonus, but they're wonderful books in their own right. If you've read Paradise Lost, you'll probably get even more pleasure out of them -- but it's not necessary.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly
Just fantastic. The fact that they piss off fundies is a terrific bonus,

Let's not forget the atheists.