His Dark Materials trilogy

[Kiwitchi_Fan]

I love this series. It has three books: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and the Amber Spyglass. I finished the Golden Compass last night and am about a quarter through The Subtle Knife. The first one's first few chapters are kind of confusing, but it gets WAY better. So much excitement! :furawatchi: I loved it and wanted to recommend the series. The Subtle Knife is great too so far. They are fantasy books, by Philip Pullman. :furawatchi: The first one, The Golden Compass, is going to be a movie soon! So you might want to watch it first and see if it interests you, then try the books. So...does anyone else read these? I haven't met anyone who has.

 

[Rayy]

I read those years ago and loved them :]

One thing that really annoys me though is the fact that the film (already out here I think) is called 'The Golden Compass', when the book is actually called 'Northern Lights' and it isn't even a compass at all, it's an alethiometer. xD

 

[Kiwitchi_Fan]

I read those years ago and loved them :]
One thing that really annoys me though is the fact that the film (already out here I think) is called 'The Golden Compass', when the book is actually called 'Northern Lights' and it isn't even a compass at all, it's an alethiometer. xD

Here the first book is called the Golden Compass. Maybe it's different where you live. It is kind of a weird title for it though. Couldn't they think of anything better? xD

 

[TamaMum]

Heh... I thought Philip Pullman was a British author and he wrote a novel called Northern Lights... but it's title was changed to the Golden Compass when it was launched in America (perhaps for legal / copyright reasons?) and now the film has been called the Golden Compass... shame

But the trilogy is excellent - although out of all three books I still think the first is the best.

What about "Lyra's Oxford" - have you read that yet? I haven't, but it's supposed to be very good too.

 

[Rayy]

Yeah, I live in England.

& No, I haven't read that. Saw it in the shops somewhere once though.

 

[Kiwitchi_Fan]

Heh... I thought Philip Pullman was a British author and he wrote a novel called Northern Lights... but it's title was changed to the Golden Compass when it was launched in America (perhaps for legal / copyright reasons?) and now the film has been called the Golden Compass... shame
But the trilogy is excellent - although out of all three books I still think the first is the best.

What about "Lyra's Oxford" - have you read that yet?  I haven't, but it's supposed to be very good too.

I haven't read it either, but I want it! I'm almost done with the Subtle Knife, and I really like the first one better as well. The second one is annoying becaause some of thhe chapters are about Lee Scorescy talking about boring stuff instead of Lyra and Will. xD

 

[pyonchit]

I loved the books. In fact, I think I'm going to reread them. Would Lyra's Oxford be "The Amber Spyglass" then?

One thing that I didn't pick up when I read the books, years ago, it's supposed to have anti-religous undertones. I don't recall, but maybe that's just me. Maybe you have noticed that.

 

[Sweet Kandi]

I loved the books. In fact, I think I'm going to reread them. Would Lyra's Oxford be "The Amber Spyglass" then?
One thing that I didn't pick up when I read the books, years ago, it's supposed to have anti-religous undertones. I don't recall, but maybe that's just me. Maybe you have noticed that.

I haven't read the books, but the main idea for the books and movie are the killing of God. The author for the books did an interview not too long ago where he stated in a nutshell that if God actually did exist, he would kill him. What disturbed me is he admitted to targeting a younger audience for getting his opinions on religion across. Sort of a 'brain washing' technique.

If I had the attention span, I'd read the books. I'm just waiting for the movie to come out.

 

[Kiwitchi_Fan]

I've heard it's anti-religious. In the second one you can definitely tell, but in the first one...not so much. Why would he want to kill God? O_O In the books there is a sort of evil god called the Authority....but if there was a real God, everything says he would be loving. So, why would Philip Pullman say that? Oh well. Although I finished the Subtle Knife last night. Worst ending ever. Ugh. I have to admit it did disturb me a bit when they talked about how they would kill God, but I still love the books.

 

[tamaw/pants]

I got an email on this today, actually. Ironic I found this.

He is very aithiestic- like, waaay extreme. He has said he hates C.S. Lewis and Narnia with a passion and hates anything to do with God. He wrote these books to turn little children away from God and the movie has a part in this too.

If you see the movie, it's watered down. So, people take their kids to see this Narnia like movie blahblahblah and they get interested in the books because of this 'great' movie. It's played out like this for a purpose. It may not be that 'bad' a movie but the books are another story.

I find it very, very disturbing and will definantly won't set foot in that movie.

EDIT: Here's the email. Even if you do not believe in God or a god, it's worth the read.

"There will be a new children's movie out in December called THE GOLDEN COMPASS.

Phillip Pullman, a proud atheist who belongs to secular humanist societies, writes it. He

hates C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia and has written a trilogy to show the other side.

The movie has been written to fool kids and their parents in the hope that they will buy his

trilogy where in the end the children kill God and everyone can do as they please. Nicole

Kidman stars in the movie so it will probably be advertised a lot. This is just a friendly

warning that you sure won't hear on the regular TV.

I don't generally dismiss a movie or book just because someone 'says' it's meant to be

something else...but this is worth knowing if you plan to see it (or plan to take your kids).

********************************

Hi! I just wanted to inform you what I just learned about a movie that is coming out

December 7, during the Christmas season, which is entitled THE GOLDEN COMPASS. It

stars Nicole Kidman and it is directed toward children. What is disturbing to me is that

this movie is based on the first of a trilogy of books for children called HIS DARK

MATERIALS written by Philip Pullman of England.

He's an atheist and his objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. He has

made remarks that he wants to kill God in the minds of children, and that's what his books

are all about. He despises C.S. Lewis and Narnia, etc. An article written about him said,

"this is the most dangerous author in Britain". Pullman would be the writer the atheists

would be praying for, if atheists prayed! Pullman said he doesn't think it is possible that

there is a God and he has great difficulty understanding the words "spiritual" and

"spirituality". What I thought was important to communicate is what part of the agenda is

for making this picture. This movie is a watered down version of the first book, which is

the least offensive of the three books. The second book of the trilogy is THE SUBTLE KNIFE

and the third book is THE AMBER SPYGLASS. Each book gets worse and worse regarding

Pullman's hatred of God. In the trilogy, a young girl becomes enmeshed in an epic

struggle against a nefarious church known as the Magisterium. Another character, an ex-

nun, describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake". As I understand

it, in the last book, a boy and girl are depicted representing Adam and Eve and they kill

God, who at times is called YAHWEH. Since the movie would seem mild if you viewed it,

that's been done so on purpose!

They are hoping that unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie, that

they will enjoy the movie and then the children will want the books for Christmas. That's

the hook! Pullman says he wants the children to read the books and decide against God

and the kingdom of Heaven. "

 

[Kiwitchi_Fan]

I got an email on this today, actually. Ironic I found this.
He is very aithiestic- like, waaay extreme. He has said he hates C.S. Lewis and Narnia with a passion and hates anything to do with God. He wrote these books to turn little children away from God and the movie has a part in this too.

If you see the movie, it's watered down. So, people take their kids to see this Narnia like movie blahblahblah and they get interested in the books because of this 'great' movie. It's played out like this for a purpose. It may not be that 'bad' a movie but the books are another story.

I find it very, very disturbing and will definantly won't set foot in that movie.

EDIT: Here's the email. Even if you do not believe in God or a god, it's worth the read.

"There will be a new children's movie out in December called THE GOLDEN COMPASS.

Phillip Pullman, a proud atheist who belongs to secular humanist societies, writes it. He

hates C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia and has written a trilogy to show the other side.

The movie has been written to fool kids and their parents in the hope that they will buy his

trilogy where in the end the children kill God and everyone can do as they please. Nicole

Kidman stars in the movie so it will probably be advertised a lot. This is just a friendly

warning that you sure won't hear on the regular TV.

I don't generally dismiss a movie or book just because someone 'says' it's meant to be

something else...but this is worth knowing if you plan to see it (or plan to take your kids).

********************************

Hi! I just wanted to inform you what I just learned about a movie that is coming out

December 7, during the Christmas season, which is entitled THE GOLDEN COMPASS. It

stars Nicole Kidman and it is directed toward children. What is disturbing to me is that

this movie is based on the first of a trilogy of books for children called HIS DARK

MATERIALS written by Philip Pullman of England.

He's an atheist and his objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. He has

made remarks that he wants to kill God in the minds of children, and that's what his books

are all about. He despises C.S. Lewis and Narnia, etc. An article written about him said,

"this is the most dangerous author in Britain". Pullman would be the writer the atheists

would be praying for, if atheists prayed! Pullman said he doesn't think it is possible that

there is a God and he has great difficulty understanding the words "spiritual" and

"spirituality". What I thought was important to communicate is what part of the agenda is

for making this picture. This movie is a watered down version of the first book, which is

the least offensive of the three books. The second book of the trilogy is THE SUBTLE KNIFE

and the third book is THE AMBER SPYGLASS. Each book gets worse and worse regarding

Pullman's hatred of God. In the trilogy, a young girl becomes enmeshed in an epic

struggle against a nefarious church known as the Magisterium. Another character, an ex-

nun, describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake". As I understand

it, in the last book, a boy and girl are depicted representing Adam and Eve and they kill

God, who at times is called YAHWEH. Since the movie would seem mild if you viewed it,

that's been done so on purpose!

They are hoping that unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie, that

they will enjoy the movie and then the children will want the books for Christmas. That's

the hook! Pullman says he wants the children to read the books and decide against God

and the kingdom of Heaven. "

O______O That's bad. Even if he is an Atheist though, people should actually read the books before they say that. I haven't read the last one yet, but as I understood the second one, there were like, multiple gods - and they wanted to kill the evil one. I do find it a bit strange that the author is an Atheist, because there are hints in both of those first books that there is definitely a God and a heaven, and an Adam and Eve, etc. All very confusing. Also, though - the movie is PG-13, so it's not geared toward extremely young children. I still love and believe in God, but so far I have not seen anything really atheist-like in these books, and I like them, too. I guess I'll just have to read the third one to make my final decision.

 

[tamaw/pants]

O______O That's bad. Even if he is an Atheist though, people should actually read the books before they say that. I haven't read the last one yet, but as I understood the second one, there were like, multiple gods - and they wanted to kill the evil one. I do find it a bit strange that the author is an Atheist, because there are hints in both of those first books that there is definitely a God and a heaven, and an Adam and Eve, etc. All very confusing. Also, though - the movie is PG-13, so it's not geared toward extremely young children. I still love and believe in God, but so far I have not seen anything really atheist-like in these books, and I like them, too. I guess I'll just have to read the third one to make my final decision.

True, but do you know what my initial thought was when I saw the preview? "Oh hey, that looks like Narnia. How cool. I wonder if it's made by the same people- it has to be good." He is purposfully doing that.

Ultimately they kill God- end of story. That's how it goes. He absolutely hate anything god-like with a scary passion.

Anyone can be athiests all you want but this is veeeery fishy and to the extremes if you ask me. :/

 

[TamaMum]

I think there is a lot to think about here, before judgements are made

Whatever happened to "free will" (and a parents ability to guide their own children with accurate information balanced with their own beliefs...)?

To be honest, I think people who fear debate and questions on religion are more disturbing.

These books are not "little children" stories.

The whole tone and style of the writing really gears itself to a reader of 11-12+ years. It's just too heavy and complicated for younger readers (unless they are particularly avid readers).

At that age, I think it is healthy for children to ask questions about the world around them and the beliefs they have grown up with.

Pullman is very honest about his beliefs and it's clear that he uses this trilogy to question many beliefs that we take for granted. I might just add that not all his books are like that (try reading "I was a Rat").

Does he have an evil plan for the children of the world? Maybe (in his own little universe), but he didn't make the movie, just gave his permission for his book to be made into a movie by others.

Does everyone really believe that plan would work with just a book and a film?

If you are smart enough to read the book, I believe you are smart enough to ask intelligent questions about your beliefs and not just take someone's word for something without investigating it yourself.

Isn't it more important to find out about it, think it through, ask others for their opinions and make your own, informed judgement?

Isn't that part of what parents should do to help their children learn about living in the modern world?

Isn't that part of free will?

I am not a big fan of religious extremism - in any form, but I do like to take a balanced view on most things and consider both sides of an argument without dismissing something out of hand on hearsay.

I have read and enjoyed the trilogy (1. Northern Lights / The Golden Compass, 2. The Subtle Knife, 3. The Amber Spyglass) and I can assure you that it did not affect my personal beliefs (nor those of my daughter, who also read them - and the separate companion book Lyra's Oxford).

Seriously... do any of you believe that you (or your parents) would be "fooled" into deciding against God and the Kingdom of Heaven (if those are your beliefs) after reading a book and seeing a film?

I really hope not

 

[Kiwitchi_Fan]

I think there is a lot to think about here, before judgements are made
Whatever happened to "free will" (and a parents ability to guide their own children with accurate information balanced with their own beliefs...)?

To be honest, I think people who fear debate and questions on religion are more disturbing.

These books are not "little children" stories.

The whole tone and style of the writing really gears itself to a reader of 11-12+ years. It's just too heavy and complicated for younger readers (unless they are particularly avid readers).

At that age, I think it is healthy for children to ask questions about the world around them and the beliefs they have grown up with.

Pullman is very honest about his beliefs and it's clear that he uses this trilogy to question many beliefs that we take for granted. I might just add that not all his books are like that (try reading "I was a Rat").

Does he have an evil plan for the children of the world? Maybe (in his own little universe), but he didn't make the movie, just gave his permission for his book to be made into a movie by others.

Does everyone really believe that plan would work with just a book and a film?

If you are smart enough to read the book, I believe you are smart enough to ask intelligent questions about your beliefs and not just take someone's word for something without investigating it yourself.

Isn't it more important to find out about it, think it through, ask others for their opinions and make your own, informed judgement?

Isn't that part of what parents should do to help their children learn about living in the modern world?

Isn't that part of free will?

I am not a big fan of religious extremism - in any form, but I do like to take a balanced view on most things and consider both sides of an argument without dismissing something out of hand on hearsay.

I have read and enjoyed the trilogy (1. Northern Lights / The Golden Compass, 2. The Subtle Knife, 3. The Amber Spyglass) and I can assure you that it did not affect my personal beliefs (nor those of my daughter, who also read them - and the separate companion book Lyra's Oxford).

Seriously... do any of you believe that you (or your parents) would be "fooled" into deciding against God and the Kingdom of Heaven (if those are your beliefs) after reading a book and seeing a film?

I really hope not

Good point. If a book and a movie are enough to make you change your personal beliefs, that's just sad. And, it's not really a huge part of the books anyway, so what you should do is just look past that - it's his opinion - and enjoy the story part, because it's extremely well-written.

 

[tamaw/pants]

These books are not "little children" stories. The whole tone and style of the writing really gears itself to a reader of 11-12+ years. It's just too heavy and complicated for younger readers (unless they are particularly avid readers).

What you said was true... eh, if it's questionable and I don't like to read that much anyway, might as well not. xP

True again [what I quoted] but I actually heard that this was, and quote, "based on the children's book". So...

 

[pyonchit]

Well, I reread the series this weekend, and I see the whole "killing of God" thing now.. Ohhhh, there it is..

I disagree wtih "If a movie and a book is enough to change your personal beliefs, that's lame." Books are wonderful because they can be lifechanging, and you learn things. If you personally believe that blackjack cannot be beat by card counters, ever, and then you read "Bringing Down the House," hopefully you have a whole new outlook on not just blackjack but casinos and Vegas, etc. So that's a personal belief, why can't books change your beliefs about religeon?

I'm not saying that people will believe this book and take everything it says to be true, but what if they look at things a different way or with an open mind?

 

[Kiwitchi_Fan]

Well, I reread the series this weekend, and I see the whole "killing of God" thing now.. Ohhhh, there it is..
I disagree wtih "If a movie and a book is enough to change your personal beliefs, that's lame." Books are wonderful because they can be lifechanging, and you learn things. If you personally believe that blackjack cannot be beat by card counters, ever, and then you read "Bringing Down the House," hopefully you have a whole new outlook on not just blackjack but casinos and Vegas, etc. So that's a personal belief, why can't books change your beliefs about religeon?

I'm not saying that people will believe this book and take everything it says to be true, but what if they look at things a different way or with an open mind?

I'm sorry, I guess I worded that wrong. What I meant was, it can change your opinion, but if you don't agree with it, it shouldn't. We're free to believe whatever we believe, and unless we now have a new genuine belief, a book shouldn't change that.

 

[pyonchit]

Ahh, I see.

Yes, I suppose the same thing happened with the Da Vinci Code. Everybody went beserk.

 

[tamaw/pants]

Ahh, I see.Yes, I suppose the same thing happened with the Da Vinci Code. Everybody went beserk.

Gah, yus. I remember that. x...x

The problem, though, with the D- code was a bit different. It was more like "historical fiction" and some of the history/background was correct. But others, not so much. The problem was that unless you knew better, you could be swayed because of these "facts".

I'm not going to fuss over it, but personaly, I won't support it. *shrugs*

 

[jub-jub]

I think that Pullman is a great author- those three books were great, just ever so slightly wierd when it came to certain points. They're fine because they're only books- I suppose

You can think about them in more depth if you want to-- no-one can stop you doing what you want to do.

I just liked 'em =) I would reccomend them if you like interesting books.