His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman

[lango]

THE GOLDEN COMPASS

Perhaps the weakest of the 3 parts of "His Dark Materials", and in a sense, the best. Philip Pulman introduces us to his story-telling format, where most of what happens is seen thru the eyes of a child, Lyra Belacqua, and as thus, we get a very good sneak at the mind of a honest, headstrong and courageous child as the changes the world she lives in by following her destiny, even if she doesn't know what she's doing.

I found myself laughing quite a few times, and surprised even more times by the few twists the story brings. We also get a glimpse on the story of "Dust", which is what the whole series revolves around in a way, as we find Lyra in the midst of a plot too deep for us or Lyra to begin to understand, which just makes us more curious.

Characters such as Iorek Byrnison and Lee, the aeronaut will forever be in your memory. Every single character has their own deep personality, and Philip Pulman shows us this by using many different tricks of "showing" characters, which makes this read a true experience for writers.

THE SUBTLE KNIFE

Here we are introduced to Will, and to the big plot of the series. Again, most of it is seen by the eyesight of two children, which in no way means that this book is childish. There are many violent scenes, and sexual references that children will not understand, making this the perfect mix of a child/adult book. Again we are highly entertained by the main protagonists, and we also get to see the story thru the point of view of a witch, an experienced aeronaut and why not, an old shaman too!

What Daemons truly are is also shown in this book, as the bond that unites Daemons, children, and Dust are shown much more clearly than on the first book, as we get to see the children slowly growing up. Although its a fantasy, this book is as much about growing up as about Witches, Specters and Angels. This book seems to be heading towards a great climax since the very first chapter, and prepares us for the third part of his series. The Subtle Knife is a true masterpiece.

[Original_x]

I found the beginning of the golden compass very confusing if im honest.. did everyone else suddenly understand what deamons were like straight away cuz i got really confused with it until i asked a friend who had read the entire series what they actually were... perhaps it's just me lol They are very imaginative tho =] worth reading. x

[Starry]

I read the Golden Compass when I was way too young to understand what was going on at all--I didn't get the parallel worlds thing at all. So I never read the rest of the series. I really should eventually, though.

[Rowenny]

I've read this books a long time ago. :) Back then I loved the plot and the idea of every person having a daemon (or what was those things called, I don't really remember that well). :)
Overall, the series were interesting. :)

[mephet]

I'm in the process of reading the second book, and to be honest... it amuses me a lot. I can't quite say if it's a "good" book or not, but somehow I find the fighting-God part funny. I don't know... I'm reading it in Finnish, where God is translated to "kaikkivaltias", which literally means "the person who rules over everything and can do anything". Fighting an enemy that can make you dissappear in a second is pretty desperate.
Though, I must admit, the whole theory that the church is evil = God is evil is a pretty extreme idea, and while I'm not really religious, I find myself resenting it.

Really, I shouldn't be posting before I finish the book, anything could still change. Sorry. : D

[ScottyMcGee]

Reading that series was a fond pre-teen memory. I caught onto it quickly. The last book made me cry my guts out. Oh my god. It still gives me such an empty feeling when I re-read the last chapter of the last book.

I might re-read it only because a few things confused me about the Magisterium.

[Iridescence]

Reading that series was a fond pre-teen memory. I caught onto it quickly. The last book made me cry my guts out. Oh my god. It still gives me such an empty feeling when I re-read the last chapter of the last book.

I might re-read it only because a few things confused me about the Magisterium.


Same. Same. Same. Same. Same. And same. I loved that series -- I pick it up and read a chapter or two every now and then when I'm dry for inspiration. It's not just the plot, which is amazing in and of itself -- the writing itself is so complex, it compels you. And his characters were so well fleshed out -- even the animal character, Iorek Byrnison (who is the beastliest), is oddly realistic, yet Pullman manages not to make him like a human. Brilliant craftsmanship, really.

[lostbookworm]

God, this is one of my favourite series ever, especially the last book. But I cried so much in the last one. I, as I am a firm Anti-Christian, found the whole fighting god part, brilliant.

[SapphireSeaBird]

I love these books, they really are amazing, and the end of the last book made me cry too. They can be confusing at parts, but you just have to read them to understand... Definitely an all time favourite series.

[Mysterioys Vamp]

I haven't been able to read the book for The Golden Compass but it was a very interesting movie. How ever, I do recall books having quite more details and elaborations on the plot than movies. Also, the books have a lot more events that have happened that the movies did not include due to the fact that they have a time limit, or close to one. :/

[Fiction]

Scotty, I did too. I also cried when Baruch died. I loved the angels.