2 of 5

Write now Article Tools

One of the saddest things I have seen recently is the public outcry against Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. His Dark Materials is a fictional story, and although the subject matter is a delicate one, it is not one that merits the level of hate directed toward it. But I digress. Pullman is an incredible writer. His work has won numerous awards throughout the years, and His Dark Materials is perhaps his finest series. Any person who reads these books with an open mind will have an experience quite unlike any other.

I first read these books as a twelve-year old, and I have continued to read them at least once every year since; never before had books opened my eyes to so many different ways of thinking. I credit these books with the avid interest I now have in philosophy. The story of Lyra, brave, fierce and determined, along with her daemon, the more cautious Pan, is one that captivates readers from the very first page. Lyra is a character to whom children of any age or either gender can relate, whether it's because they are like her or would want to be. Her story is one that seems run-of-the-mill, or nearly, in the beginning of The Golden Compass.

A young orphan girl becomes embroiled in a quest to save those she loves. And yet, apart from that overly simplistic look at Lyra's tale, there is so much more going on in the stories. Lyra's quest becomes one of revenge and eventually one of self-discovery. There is no other tale quite like it in sheer scope, imagination or the effect it has on readers' emotions. Once begun, the books are impossible to put down and even harder to forget. From the beginning of the Golden Compass to the end of The Amber Spyglass, readers are swept along on a tidal wave of a tale.

The philosophy behind the books is where public concern comes in. As Lyra and Will travel between worlds in The Amber Spyglass, they are maturing, and every action they take has far reaching consequences: nothing can prepare the reader for the events that transpire. The heartbreak is enormous, and yet even within the darkest moments of His Dark Materials, there is hope. Although these stories may seem disturbing based solely on the media furor surrounding the movie, it is like the books themselves: one must look deeper than the surface to find what is really going on.

Pullman's writing style is engaging and wonderful. His descriptions take readers along for an unforgettable ride, from Jordan College to the arctic north to other worlds, and from happiness unparalleled

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Book Reviews: His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman?
We want to hear your view. Write now!