Philip Pullman - Northern Lights

[The Master™]

I've been offered this book to read, and wonder if anyone else has read it...

[I, Brian]

Ah - I wondered when Pullman would be discussed.

My partner read the His Dark Materials series - and thought they were pretty excellent, excepting the final ending.

Infact, the consensus fmo other people who've read them is that the series is great, but that the overall ending is a bit of a letdown.

[Rane Longfox]

I'd agree with what Brian said, pretty much

Some of the ideas were very good, though the writing was a bit shildish on occasion. It shows that they're childrens books... definately worth the read tough

[dwndrgn]

Is Northern Lights one of the His Dark Materials series? It doesn't sound familiar to me though I did read the series. I don't recall being let down by the ending though. Of course, I don't remember much of the story at all. I read them at a time of great upheaval and I'm sure that only a portion of my brain was engaged while I was reading.

[Lacedaemonian]

Adult concepts in a children's package. I thought that this was a very complex story, drawing parallels with Milton's Paradise Lost. The two leading characters are brilliant, and the supporting characters are so varied and strange. A must read.

[Rane Longfox]

dwndrgn - you're from the US, right? You'd probably know it as "The Golden Compass" in that case... bloody stupid american publishers

[Silk]

Originally Posted by caladanbrood

dwndrgn - you're from the US, right? You'd probably know it as "The Golden Compass" in that case... bloody stupid american publishers

indeed!

I read the books and I wasn't so much let down by the ending as having a massive feeling of "uh..what the hell??"

I sware I missed something vital right at the last minute

[Lacedaemonian]

Please do not swear or i will have to remove your post.

[aftermath]

I read the seires a couple of years about but really loved them. I thought ans still think they are brilliant.


Actually. I think i may go dig them up and re-read them.

[rune]

I think the Northern Lights is the best book in His Dark Material series. The other two I felt were not as interesting and a little lacking in maturity. Now I know thats probably doesnt matter because the series is a YA one. But I think it is something that is worth considering.

[dwndrgn]

Originally Posted by caladanbrood

dwndrgn - you're from the US, right? You'd probably know it as "The Golden Compass" in that case... bloody stupid american publishers

Ah, just so. Does anyone have any idea why they create this kind of mess? It's just silly. Doesn't it just make more sense to have one title? Easier to advertise. Less cost to printers. More cohesive. Whatever. Completely annoys me. As well as confuses me Thanks for the tip, Brood.

[Rane Longfox]

Personally, my favorite in the series was the Subtle Knife. Will was the best character by a country mile.

They did the same with the first Harry Potter book. I believe the explanation was that its easier to understand "Sorceror's stone" than "Philosopher's stone". Ditto with Pullman. Basically, they think you're stupid. Unfounded, as far as I can tell

[dwndrgn]

Originally Posted by caladanbrood

Personally, my favorite in the series was the Subtle Knife. Will was the best character by a country mile.

They did the same with the first Harry Potter book. I believe the explanation was that its easier to understand "Sorceror's stone" than "Philosopher's stone". Ditto with Pullman. Basically, they think you're stupid. Unfounded, as far as I can tell

They did it with Diana Gabaldon's series as well, blast them. Well, I won't say that there aren't any stupid people here, but to assume that the vast majority are is rather short sighted of them.

[Lacedaemonian]

Americans are generally treated as idiots by the various medias.

[mzarynn]

I've read the first book and was very intrigued by the animal soulmates. I read it while Zelda was still a kitten so I imagined she was my little daemon. It reminds me of the relationship humans have to their dragons in the Dragon's of Pern series. I never did read the rest of the trilogy, but I did enjoy the first book. I couldn't help thinking of the evil cat on the Smurf's every time I read the name Lord Asriel. Especially, 'cause I think his daemon was a big tiger or some catlike creature if I remember correctly. Anyway, I'd say read it.