His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman

[cheetahd586]

Hey, has anyone ever read the His Dark Materials trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass) by Philip Pullman? And if you have, what did you think? I for one, LOVED THEM!!! Anyway, just interested in some other opinions.

[Chinomi]

I LOVED THEM!
And I can't wait for the movies too come out even though it'll take them forever XD

[Azure]

Liked them especially the audio drama style audio books, but SERIOUSLY overated. There's a lot of Pullman's work that I think is better.

[Nevelinde]

Ooooh, I adore these books! ^.^

And I'm going to see the theatre production in London at Christmas, YAY! Cannot wait! =D

So yes.... I think they're remarkable books. The ideas, worlds and characters are full of imagination, the story just captured me =P To the extent that my friend and I, er, pretended we had dæmons for months on end. Ahhhh fond memories! :)

[Byron]

They're quite good. Haven't read any more Pullman beyond those books, but they're pretty well crafted. I think the author writes the children older than children are -- they're definitely small adults, rather than kids -- but he's inventive and illustrates beautifully.

I don't think the books would hold up in a conversion to movies or stage very well.

[Azure]

The Play has spaces again!!! I heard it was fully booked.

[Crimson]

Me too <3. I love Pan, lol!

I think the Amber Spyglass was the best out of the three, but it's been so long since I read them...

They're quite good. Haven't read any more Pullman beyond those books, but they're pretty well crafted. I think the author writes the children older than children are -- they're definitely small adults, rather than kids -- but he's inventive and illustrates beautifully.
I think most authors do this, though... hard to find books that don't feature kids with seemingly overly-mature mentalities. Though it's hard to say, 'cause it's hard to remember how your mind worked when you were younger.

[Matt Alan]

One of my favorite trilogies of all time

[Byron]

Eh, not all of them. Just the popular ones, apparently. Less because authors don't remember, I think, than the fact that kids think concretely and directly and, in a fairly-typical-story sort of sense, aren't lots of fun to write.

Really it's the same reason a lot of fantasy authors write women as basically men with boobs.

Which is interesting because Pullman is GOOD at writing women.

[Azure]

I agree, I think the opposite is Robert Jordan he only writes one type of woman, poor bloke he must be hen pecked.

[Ashley Keen]

*lol* I was reading this thread and all I could think was, "I agree with that, and with that, and with that!" XD

I loved "His Dark Materials" and also "Count Karlstien" I didn't care much for Pullman's historical fiction-esque works.

And yes, the children *are* mini-adults. The way they keept their composure in the face of death, and the way they hop around obstacles that most children wouldn't jump to as quickly. But I think that they are supposed to be... abnormal children. Since, they are supposed to be the new embodyment of Adam and Eve, correct.

and yes, Pullman is *good* at writing women. Both the woman who was studying the "dark matter" in our world, and Lyra's mother were well written. XD His portrayal of most women makes me think he's a little cynical though.

and YES. Robert Jordan's women are decidedly wooden. ^^; Some of them I love to death, but they all carry, essentially the same important attributes. They're *always* stubborn, determined to get their way, and convinced they are right. XD The question is only "to what level" XD

I think Mercedes Lackey seems fairly decent at writing women (perhaps because she is one) but her men seem effeminate as well :/ ^^;

[Chinomi]

My favorite would have to be "The Subtle Knife" Gawd <3

[Autumn]

Haha! His Dark Materials! I love this trilogy, it has to be my favorite beside the Songs of Eirren...

I loved the first book so much that I went out and bought all three of them, lol! BUt the third was my favorite... the ending was so sweet yet evil..*sigh*

Someone should make a radioplay out of these. A really long radioplay! XD I smell a project brewing...

Chichiri: THere are movies coming out! OOh! I wanna go see! Anybody wanna go to the movies with me?

[Chinomi]

Haha! His Dark Materials! I love this trilogy, it has to be my favorite beside the Songs of Eirren...

I loved the first book so much that I went out and bought all three of them, lol! BUt the third was my favorite... the ending was so sweet yet evil..*sigh*

Someone should make a radioplay out of these. A really long radioplay! XD I smell a project brewing...

Chichiri: THere are movies coming out! OOh! I wanna go see! Anybody wanna go to the movies with me?

Come to Alberta and I'll see the movie with you XP

[Pretty Little Me!]

Oh, yes! That was an awesome series. I like the first two books best. The Amber Spyglass was excellent, but I just couldn't get into all of the chapters with Mary Malone. I know they were key parts in the story, but...there were so many other characters I liked better! I was always impatient to get back to them :P.
Didn't know they were making movies, either. I can't wait to see how they adapt these books. Any idea when the first one's due out?

[Anonymous]

I tried. I seriously tried to get into the trilogy because I heard all these raving reviews of it, but it (the first book, can't think of the name right now) really bored me. I was beginning to wonder if I was reading a book out of order because I was so confused...and just basically it didn't interest me enough to keep going.

Hope I'm not going to get bricked x.x But it's just one of those things you know...

[Azure]

There's already a pseudo radio play of Dark Materials you should definatly get it ! Phillip Pullman reads with a full cast doing voices.

[cheetahd586]

Maybe we should do one on VAA? I think the radio play would be excellent, we do have amazing talent! lol

[SMoonEmpress]

I absolutely LOVE this trilogy!

In fifth grade I was wandering around Borders bookstore when I came upon it. I was poor and didn't have any money, and begged my dad for the rest of the night to buy it for me. He finally did! I read it in like a week! Ever since then I have absolutely loved these books. I tried reading his Sally Lockhart series, but didn't care much for it. ::shrug::

I would love to see the play, and can hardly wait for the movie(s)! I'm just hoping casting/writing/directing is good. There's always the possibility that this trilogy could be destroyed on screen...

I think an RP here is a splendid idea!

[cheetahd586]

We should do an RP here, we just need to find someone to organize it! ( I dont have the equipment, nor the talent to do it myself)