Philip Pullman - Northern Lights

[Rane Longfox]

It's wonderful to see that they are actually gonna make the films, as long as it doesn't turn into another version of the HP films, which are almost nothing to do with the books
However, if they call it "The Golden Compass" I might not go to see it just on principle

 

[longplay]

I'd agree with the general consensus here, the books are worth reading but the whole last book (the Amber Spyglass) just didn't sit right with me, I can't quite put my finger on why.

 

[Hestia]

I read this trilogy about a year ago, and although the story takes a little while to get moving, i did really enjoy them.
I did find the ending a little suprising actually,but different all the same.

I would recommend any adult reading them. Not sure i would have understood the books quite so well at 14, but perhaps i under-estimate myself!

 

[Fantasyohyeah]

im younger than that!! Ive read the books + understand them

 

[-putawaythosepliers-]

i was younger than 14 when i read them too, and i admit i had to reread a few times, then have long discussions with friends about it, but they are a really great series of books to read. i loved northern lights the best, but most of my friends disagree and think the subtle knife is better. i found the amber spyglass a bit confuddling though

 

[Mouse]

I don't think it was a leopard- maybe a panther? or a snow leopard...

It was a snow leopard, yeah.

I love Phillip Pullman, he's one of my favourites. I loved the ending of HDM!!
I've read his Sally Lockhart detective books too and I don't normally like those kind of books. They're making it into a tv show soon with Billy Piper playing Sally Lockhart!

 

[Nesacat]

Read the book several years ago and was intially confused by the titles as well since the stores here carried both editions.

I liked the books and although they are targetted at a young adult audience I think the books can be read and understood on several levels deoending on how you personally view the matters being discussed. I didn't have a problem with the endings and rather liked the fact that his characters were more shades of grey rather than black & white.

Mouse ... I like his other books too especially Clockwork, The Firework Maker's Daughter and The Scarecrow & His Servant.

 

[GOLLUM]

I like his other books too especially Clockwork, The Firework Maker's Daughter and The Scarecrow & His Servant.

Interesting comments there. I've only read Dark Materials, so I'll have to try those others now. More of a strain on the purse strings *SIGH* BUT then again the rewards are incalculable right?

 

[Nesacat]

Definitely and the books are a good read, all three of them. I liked the idea of the daemons and the curious fact that the daemon is opposite in gender to the person its with. And then there's also the religious aspects and the whole idea of separating daemons.

I personally liked the ending because it seemed to remain true to the tale and I'm glad Pullman did not try for a more 'traditional happy ending'. Okay, okay I cried buckets.

 

[DarkIntentions]

Aye'! Alas, I enjoyed the book and wish to re-read it but i lent it to my teacher when i was in year seven, i am now in year nine and she supposedly is still on the first book, i've had loadsa people asking to lend it off me, and i liked it myself not having read many religion-based books before. Yep! I would reccomend it albeit the ending is a bit .. err.. rubbish? Maybe it's because i wanted it to end differently. (trying not to give out to much to those who haven't read)

 

[SERAFINApekkala]

My father and brother read it first. I remember all of these endlessly discussions they seemed to be having about armoured bears, aeronauts, deamons, a parallel dimension and an evil god so i was very intrigued.

Well worth reading in conclusion.

The ending is a bit of a cop-out though. It reminded me of the Lord of the rings trilogy which ended with that awful hobbit battle in the Shire..

xx

 

[Misplaced Marbles]

Dear me!!!!!!
How come nearly all of you found the ending of Amber Spyglass so disappointing? I just cannot understand! It was so moving for me, and yes, I admit it, I did cry. Or do you mean it was disappointing because Lyra and Will couldn't be together? That upset me, but I dont think it ruined the books conclusion. Floods of tears, I found it really moving. The whole concept of the trilogy was intriguing and I felt like Gollum obsessed with his precious turning over the next page. I thought it surprisingly deep a concept for Y A fiction and felt proud at the time (I was 11, I think) that I could read it and that adults thought it a concept children could understand.
The whole daemon as being the physical embodiment of a soul was a fascinating idea. As was bringing pieces like Paradise Lost to a larger audience. The whole God is dead, we build our own heaven really caught me up. These books will stick with me forever. A read for children and adults alike I believe.
x x x

 

[Steve S]

I too thought the end was stunning, a fitting end to an incredible achievement. I am green with envy at Pullman's abillity and imagination!

 

[Sathai]

I enjoyed His Dark Materials. My favorite of the three is The Golden Compass.

 

[Barristan]

I'll try to describe what disappointed me about the 3rd book and i'll warn you now that it sounds a little wishy washy. Disappointed is probably the wrong word, but I cant think of a more succinct one.

The flavour of the first 2 books were so intense, dark and compelling, but when it came to the third, the flavour changed too much. The story was still good, the characters and their actions still interested me, but it was like the spirit of it wasnt as strong as the other 2, so didnt have as great an impact.

I think i'll have to do a re-read, lol, gotta know what my current opinion is as I read them years ago.

I still really enjoyed the books though and am looking forward to the impending film.

 

[Chupacobra]

I first read the HDM trilogy about 18 months ago and was completely bowled over by it.

I've just started to re-read it for the first time, and I can honestly say that it is just as good as the first time...in fact, it's even better, as I am one of those people who tend to race through a book the first time. Second time around and I'm more content to dwell on some of the imagery that the story engenders.

If you haven't read it, then do so. I don't think you'll regret it.

 

[Majimaune]

I have read Dark Materials a couple of times and now I have heard Northern Lights/Golden Compass is being made into a movie. Nichole Kidman is going to be playing Mrs Coulter (apparently).

 

[Ellie]

I'm in the middle of The Subtle Knife right now. I kept hearing about the series, and I was at a thrift store a while back and found all 3 for $1 a piece, so I thought I'd try it. I was immediatley taken in with The Golden Compass(NorthernLights). Pullman is very imaginative, but he also writes very well. He's not so wordy and flowery that you get thrown out of the story, but at the same time I think he writes a very lovely sentence.
I'm really enjoying The Subtle Knife. Someone I work with told me it takes a turn, so I'm looking forward to seeing how that manifests.
There is a preview trailer for the golden compass at Philip Pulmans site- either philippullman.com, or thegoldencompass.com, or maybe it's hisdarkmaterials.com, can't remember for sure, but a websearch for "the Golden Compass trailer" ought to bring it up. I think it may even be on youtube.

 

[Majimaune]

I did think that the books got poorer as they went, with the first one the best and the third on the last.

 

[Medea]

I agree. The first book was fantastic. But I think once they started moving between the other worlds it got worse...