Philip Pullman

[Rosemary]

Has anyone read the series 'His Dark Materials' by this author, which caught my eye at the book shop?

There were 3 volumes - Northern Lights
The Sable Knife
The Amber Spyglass

So can anyone tell me if this is a good author and series?

 

[Marky Lazer]

I read the screen play by... some bloke called Wright? Can't remember exactly.

 

[Rosemary]

Thank you Marky...can you recall if the screen play was any good?

 

[Marky Lazer]

Well, it was enjoyable, but I found it hard to picture it all. The idea of people having demons as 'pets' what quite funny. But someone told me that big chunks have been deleted for the screenplay, so I'm not too sure if I can give a good recommendation for this.

By the way, the bloke that wrote the screenplay was Nicholas Wright, I think.

 

[Thadlerian]

Has anyone read the series 'His Dark Materials' by this author, which caught my eye at the book shop?

There were 3 volumes - Northern Lights
The Sable Knife
The Amber Spyglass

So can anyone tell me if this is a good author and series?

Heh, His Dark Materials? Good? I believe quite a lot of people will tell you their opinions on that rather soon

I believe it is among the finer works of Fantasy. Quite possibly the best work of Fantasy ever. Philip Pullman has a real, genuine talent for storytelling. I mean, you really recognize it, thinking, "this is talent!" They include all possible things that make stories good; characterization, no superfluous prose, inventive settings, original plots, emotion, tragedy (he has a special liking for that particular one), allegorization, and on and on.

His Dark Materials is usually recognized as a Young Adult series, but I rather see it as an Adult series that invites children in to read as well.

 

[Marky Lazer]

I especially have to agree on the tragedy/emotion point, that came forward very well in the screen play too.

 

[Rosemary]

Thanks for that, Thadlerian and Marky...it obviously good either as books or a screen play. Sounds as if it will be going on my 'to read' list even though it is for YA.

'The best work of fantasy' Thadlerian? Now that is praise indeed.

 

[Adasunshine]

hey Rosie, I've read this trilogy and I really enjoyed it.

I could've sworn there was a thread on this somewhere... maybe I'm mistaking it for the films due out soon...

Anyway, I'd always recommend this trilogy, it's great imo, very good indeed...

xx

 

[Rosemary]

Ta Ada...well I did try the 'search the forum' before I posted but couldn't find anything (I am sure someone will tell me where it is though!)

Thank you for your recommendation...

 

[Brys]

Probably the second best YA fantasy series there is - an intelligent fantasy with lots of interesting ideas - Northern Lights is excellent, the Subtle Knife is still very good, but the Amber Spyglass doesn't quite keep to that same level. Nonetheless, definitely worth reading.

 

[CarlottaVonUberwald]

haha in response to an early post
it is excellent..but i see it as a young adult series that adults could enjoy just as much.

if you like it try reading the lirael(?) ill check that series by Garth nix or vice versa

 

[BookStop]

I tried the first one, but fantasy never has been my favorite genre, however, my daughter loved all three and they definitely make it on to her must read list.

 

[ZoeRat]

Has anyone read the series 'His Dark Materials' by this author, which caught my eye at the book shop?

There were 3 volumes - Northern Lights
The Sable Knife
The Amber Spyglass

So can anyone tell me if this is a good author and series?

I love this book series! It is definitely one of my favorites. Though the books have different titles here in the US, I don't know why. They are:
"The Golden Compass"
"The Subtle Knife"
"The Amber Spyglass"

But I would reccommend them to anyone who loves fantasy.

 

[purple_kathryn]

Has anyone read the series 'His Dark Materials' by this author, which caught my eye at the book shop?

There were 3 volumes - Northern Lights
The Sable Knife
The Amber Spyglass

So can anyone tell me if this is a good author and series?

I found it really enjoyable although a bit hard to get into at first. Once I did I got completely absorbed in the main characters world.

It has quite an anti church theme to it though, so if you find that sort of thing offensive it might not be for you.

They are making a movie of the 1st book btw (although it's called the golden compass the same as the US name of the book)

 

[purple_kathryn]

I love this book series! It is definitely one of my favorites. Though the books have different titles here in the US, I don't know why. They are:
"The Golden Compass"
"The Subtle Knife"
"The Amber Spyglass"

But I would reccommend them to anyone who loves fantasy.

Only the first book's title is different in the UK. If I'm honest I prefer "The Northern Lights" which, although there is golden sort of compass in the book, is more relevant to the story.

 

[Tau Zero]

Wonderful books! As others have mentioned, they are supposedly for Young Adults. But i haven't met an Old Adult who didn't like it. An easy read, but original, clever, and simply charming.

 

[Carolyn Hill]

I enjoyed the series--a bit quirky, just different enough to hold my attention.

 

[Thadlerian]

Only the first book's title is different in the UK. If I'm honest I prefer "The Northern Lights" which, although there is golden sort of compass in the book, is more relevant to the story.

Yeah, good point. The first time I read The Golden Compass, I thought the whole book was supposed to be about the alethiometer. The US title is alluring and full of portent, but the UK title is simply far more relevant.

 

[ZoeRat]

Only the first book's title is different in the UK. If I'm honest I prefer "The Northern Lights" which, although there is golden sort of compass in the book, is more relevant to the story.

Very true. Why do they give the books different titles in different countries if they are both English speaking?

 

[j d worthington]

That may be a question to ask John; though in some past cases, I know it had to do with some odd legal questions.