So I just finished the third and final book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, The Amber Spyglass, and I think the following review from VOYA best sums up my feelings:

"The writing is flawless, the imaginative vision is breathtaking, and the conclusion is heartbreaking but fitting and proper. At the close of this masterpiece, the reader can only marvel at Pullman's genius, alternately weeping and rejoicing for one's humanity."

The end is actually heartbreaking (assuming you have a heart, of course, not that I would ever assume anything so personal about you.)

In another review, Smithsonian Magazine states that this work "confirms Pullman's inclusion in the company of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien." I'd go a step further and say Pullman has pulled out in front of both of them, but that's a post for another day.

The Subtle Knife

So, I just finished Book 2 of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, The Subtle Knife, and I have to say this is one subversive series. Picking up where Book 1, The Golden Compass, left off, our heroine Lyra finds herself in a new world and on a collision course with her father...who just happens to be planning a rematch of the biggest war ever--the angel rebellion in heaven. But, and here's where it starts to get fun, we're left wondering if that might not be exactly just what the universe needs.

Now, I have no intention of opening up a religious debate, but I'd like to use this example of how important books can be to our development as critical thinkers. Asking questions that we think we already have the answer to will not only help us intellectually, but socially as we see the infinite threads of diversity wrapped around our world. Or something like that.

Of course, the books are a lot of fun to read (otherwise, who would care). And people do care, a lot, as evidenced by Pullman's inclusion on banned book lists throughout the world. In my mind that means he's doing something right.

You can read more about the author's thoughts here and here (Warning: May Contain Spoilers). I'm especially interested in your thoughts about Pullman's view on the Narnia series.

The Alethiometer Says...

So, I just finished reading Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, the first book in his award-winning trilogy, His Dark Materials. I know, what took me so long, right? After the adventures of some hairy-toed hobbits and a certain scarf-wearing wizard, this is as cool as a fantasy series gets (Narnia, you say? Keep on saying.)

Anyway, I'm in for the long haul now. I won't get into the story here...but you can here. Needless to say, it's hard to go wrong with flame-throwing armored polar bears fighting bow and arrow wielding witches. Good stuff.

And you might want to get started right away so you can be ready for when (surprise, surprise) the movie opens this December (with Nicole Kidman as the child-stealing villainess ). Like I said, good stuff.

(FYI: The book was originally published in the UK with the title Northern Lights, which is far more fitting, though apparently somehow un-American. Good thing you don't need to understand how publishing works in order to enjoy books.)