Customer Reviews

His Dark Materials Set (His Dark Materials)

5 star:		(352)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(38)
2 star:		(32)
1 star:		(42)

 

 

Philip Pullman's dark fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials, ostensibly written for children, is actually literature of a much higher order. The title of the trilogy comes from a particularly powerful passage of Milton's Paradise Lost, the great religious epic poem whose central story is the thematic basis for this trilogy. Another important influence on these three novels is the Christian Parsifal or Sir Percival story, which dates back to the early middle-ages as part of both the King Arthur and the Holy Grail cycle of tales. From its very first page, Pullman's crisp, evocative writing creates a world not quite like ours but just similar enough to be uncomfortable and strangely familiar. As readers of the trilogy know, most of the events in these books do not occur on our world or even in our universe. Of course, because this is post Tolkien fantasy, Mr. Pullman has absorbed all of the usual fantasy tropes and has no desire to repeat them. So what he writes is new, deeper, with fully rounded characters that come alive on the page. His courageous young heroine, Lyra Belacqua with her daemon familiar, Pantalaimon, always by her side, is one of the great creations in "children's literature". Lyra and Pan make an especially entertaining, often very amusing, pair. Her fearsome Uncle, Lord Asriel, is one of those rich, ambiguous creations that keep you guessing as to their motives, reminiscent of Professor Snape in J. K. Rowling's Potter novels. Pullman's writing is lean and well crafted and exciting to read. Once started, it is very difficult to set aside.

This three volume boxed set contains the books in hardcover with their original dustcovers. Their artwork is lovely. It also contains a map: a necessity in today's complex world of fantasy. The first volume, The Golden Compass, has been filmed and was recently released on DVD. The two succeeding books, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, will presumably follow thereafter. This set makes a lovely gift for an older and mature reading child or an adult who still retains memories of childhood and all of its dark mysteries. Strongly recommended.

Mike Birman

This is by far the most engaging, intelligently-wrtten works of children's literature I have ever read. (And for anyone getting hyped up about the religious factor, please read this before you judge!) The prose is sophisticated (I would say this is for kids with a very good vocabulary, maybe a 9+), and the characters are engaging. And talk about action packed! Pullman always keeps the reader guessing, and the action always is intriguing. The books do have violence in them (nothing too gory, but there are some battle scenes with blood, and some characters die), so keep that in mind if you want to read it to kids younger than 9.

A lot of people say this book is anti-religious, anti-God, atheistic, etc. Most of these reviews have obviously not read the series. I actually found The Golden Compass in the book closet of the Catholic school where I taught English Lit! This book for certain is NOT anti-Christian. It does not preach evil values, & it does not encourage children to kill God. The book has a lot of religious aspects: souls, angels, and spirits. This book IS anti-religious corruption, and it IS against using religion to justify evil. One review mentioned the book encourages female circumcision: so wrong!...what the book said was that religions have used faith in God to cause harm to many, including the cutting of genitalia! And if Pullman is an atheist, so what? C.S. Lewis was a Christian. Does that mean Jews, Muslims and Buddhists can't enjoy the Narnia series, even though its messages aren't parallell to their own religious values?

One thing that I do like is that Pullman creates very strong-minded children for his main characters, especially Lyra. Despite having horrible parents, Lyra finds strength within to overcome seemingly impossible tasks with the aid of her daemon Pan. I like that Pullman talks a lot about how fear can destroy people and societies, and also on a subtle level, how technology gone too far can wreak havoc on the world. I also like that Lyra both respects and questions authority. She has a mind and a sense of adventure, and I love that she breaks so many female sterotypes.

I'm re-reading the series now and am giving it to my 10 year-old cousin for Christmas. I know he'll love it as much as I do!

After finishing the 4th Harry Potter book I moped around for a few days lamenting the fact that the next installment isn't due for publication for quite some time. Luckily, a friend of mine suggested the Dark Materials series by Phillip Pullman. Five pages in to The Golden Compass I was hooked. With a "Potter like" fervor I ripped through the first book in two very long nights. After which I was useless at work, but just as satisfied as when I first discovered the work of J.K. Rowlings. A great read!

A note to parents: The world that Pullman conjurs is a bit darker than Harry Potter's. There is more violence and some very frightening situations. I'd say 11 and up would be a good age for these books.

Pullman's moving His Dark Materials series is based on Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost" and deals heavily with religion and metaphysics. It's not for the very young, the easily offended, the narrow minded, the faint of heart or those looking for a light,easy, preachy or moralistic children's book. These three books make you think and feel. I reccomend buying all three books at the same time, setting aside a large chunk of time, reading a summary of "Paradise Lost" and stocking up on food and facial tisse because this powerful, but heart- breakingly melancholy series offers no closure until the third book. I think it's about 1000 pages or more in total.
That said, you'll notice that while many praise this book, it's dificult to say what's it's about (notice lack of plot summary in reviews and even on back of books). Let's just say that it is set in many different worlds, some like ours, some different, and the main characters are 11 year old Lyra, 12 year old Will and 3000 year old Dust. The three books really focus on what happens to and how people deal with Dust (a sort of conscious matter) in different worlds and planes of existence.
The books are definetly fantasy, not sci-fi, and those who enjoy the richness and detail of Harry Potter's world , or Tolkien's work will enjoy this one. The His Dark Materials series is much more challenging, and frankly unsettling, because it is so imbued with moral ambiguity, and moral slippages- what's right in one situation isn't right in others, etc. It may leave you questioning what and why you believe.
The Dark Materials series stands out because of the mixture of romance, action, mystery, technology,legend, and lore. More than being about religion, or other worlds or rites of passage the His Dark Materials series is about Truth. Live truthfully, question the truth, and never, ever prevent others from living truthfully. The worse thing you can ever do, the series implies, is to keep the truth from people. Keeping people in the "Dark" prevents them from enjoying life and living in the moment.
I don't feel that I can adequately describe how powerful, moving or important this series is. It's absolutely consuming; it'll take you away. Read this one- you won't regret it. I'd give it an infinite number of stars if I could.

I am writing to review the series `His Dark Materials' by Phillip Pullman - I read them in the same hardcover version sold here as a box set, before they were boxed. They are beautiful books, the same size as the large paperbacks, and `The Amber Spyglass' has a beautiful library binding style cover (glossy boards with illustration) and a rather delicate dust jacket - be careful not to tear the circle. This injury seems common with this book.

I have seen the movie `The Golden Compass' and I found it utterly satisfying, and wonderful.
I read these books two or three years ago. I found them captivating books for young readers that also seemed to have a lot to offer adults. I never really took much notice of the religious themes in this book, preferring to see the `Magisterium' as a stand-in for any totalitarian organization - religious, political or otherwise. I know that, with the movie coming out at Christmastime, there is already a great degree of (I feel unfounded) controversy about the so-called `anti-christian' themes of these books.
Other reviewers on Amazon - many of whom have never reviewed anything, let alone another young person's book - have taken up the call to paint these books as some kind of `campaign for atheism', and to name the prime campaigner Phillip Pullman.
It shouldn't be hard to discern from a review if the reviewer has actually read the book, and with most of these strongly negative reviews of `His Dark Materials' it's easy to see that the reviewers have not. It seems that a lot of talk and blather is being bandied about. If you are inclined to read these books, read them for what they are: a very well written fantasy trilogy for young people, not for what fearful antagonists claim them to be: an atheist's primer and attack on God and religious faith.

I want to review these books mostly from a fiction perspective, but it's very tempting to answer some of the false claims that some reviewers make in ignorance of the actual story.

`The Golden Compass' opens the series by introducing us to a world kind of like our own, where some of the place names are the same, but the people are different in at least one striking way: they are all accompanied by a companion animal we soon learn to interpret as their soul. This arrangement makes life distinctly different in some ways. The animal companions can play together, children's companions can change their form, and there are taboos about touching the companion animals of others.
The story really begins when a mysterious figure appears before the board at Oxford, to show evidence he's found for the existence of other worlds, linked by metaphysical `dust' that has some of the qualities we ascribe to quantum particles in our science. The Magisterium has forbidden any mention or study of Dust, proclaimed it heresy, and condemned those who express an interest.
As Lyra, the heroine of the series begins to follow the path of her destiny, she deals with themes of `Truth', the innocence of children, control, loyalty and betrayal. She meets and either befriends or battles various tribes of Scholars, Religious officials, Tartars, Armored Bears, Gypsy-like people called Gyptians, century old witches and abducted children. As the series progresses, travels to parallel worlds, and meets her male counterpart - a boy named Will, who will help her in countless ways as she continues onward, under edict from the church, pursued by a high assassin who himself has already been absolved of her murder before he commits it,
The stakes in this story become incredibly high, with Lyra's constant capture, escape and recapture, and the coming storm of conflict draws people of many races from several worlds, as well as from the ranks of angels, into a war fever-pitched cyclone with Will and Lyra in it's center.
Help comes in unexpected forms from other children, angels, lost souls, dragonfly riders, a resourceful anthropologist who befriends the children, and of course giant armored polar bears.

This series is dramatic, dark, and stirring. Expect young readers to make favorable comparisons to Harry Potter. If anything, the emotions run higher as the stakes get larger in this series than they do for the young wizards in the Rowling series.
For comparison I also offer Lemony Snicket, the Life of Pi, and C.S. Lewis. Admittedly the Narnia books are at the opposite end of the religious spectrum from His Dark Materials, but they are similar in their greatness, drama, and sense of high purpose.
Another book that was once commonly handed to young readers is George Orwell's 1984 The anti-authoritarian message in His Dark Materials speaks out against oppression in a very similar manner to Orwell. In Lyra's world, the oppressive (fictional) organization is not a totalitarian government, it's the church. It's a story, and the author can go with it where he wants. In this world, God (actually the primary angel) ends up wearing the rectangular black mustache. It's not wrong, it's just fiction. I would even go so far as to say, in spite of what various church officials say about these books and films, that these books fit on the same shelf with the Narnia books. I think they'll inspire the same quality of thoughtfulness' and feeling.

Part of this story - near the end, treats the subject of first love. If a reader has reached this part of the story, they are probably exhausted, because the level of intensity required just to see our main characters through to the end is unparalleled in much of fiction. I bring this up only because there are claims that these books have inappropriate sexual content. I don't believe so.

There is no overt sexual content. There are short passages in the end of the series which are open to interpretation, but would likely be interpreted by an adult who already has sexual experience as being about sexual experience. For a younger reader, these scenes would be much more in the realm of hint and intimation. They are scenes about falling in love and enjoying the physical presence of the object of your love, and having strong sensations and feelings associated with that experience. In my opinion this is more healthy for young readers than harmful. More accurate and honest information about the feelings of romance than you'd find if what you knew about sex, you learned from the internet. I'm sure Judy Blume might agree.

Organized religions of all stripes will object to this work of fiction, because it paints the church as a horribly corrupted and evil institution, and the 'Authority' that the church worships as malign, controlling and cruel angel, who proclaims himself as God, in the absence of an active or actual God. I say if you are a young reader of dramatic stories, you should just let those organized religion people sweat a little, and read as you see fit. Let them see that you can read stories that scare the heck out of them, and still turn out to be an alright person who can be sensible about your own beliefs and religious faith. They may be scared, but they won't break. Neither will you, or your faith, if you read an enriching fantasy series. It doesn't hurt, if you believe in God, to know that the writer Phillip Pullman doesn't. I don't think anything in these books is intended to change your views or faith, but even if it were, I don't think it could, and I don't think you will notice anything like this in reading these stories.

Lastly,
The main thing about this series that will stick with you is the ending.
It is a fine ending, bright and beautiful, but not a fluffy happy ending. It draws a great deal of emotion from the happenings of the story out to a fitting close, but it also introduces the world in a real, harsh, adult light. Things don't end perfectly, they end with the fierce dictates of fate, and some very real heartache. This is really the `absolute moment' of the series, deeply emotional, and unforgettable. I have no doubt that any young person reading this series will ever forget this ending. It will scar them. Not in a way that will make them licentious, or atheist, or even resentful of authority. It will scar them in the good way you want children's fiction to mark children - they way that the loss of Old Yeller, or Black Beauty scarred you older readers; the way C.S. Lewis's Prince Caspian marked you, or the fall of Gandalf wounded you as a young reader, giving more reality to the world by shedding some light on Its reality through use of fiction. I can give these books a heart felt recommendation, and say they are destined to become unforgettable classics, you will have to sort out any controversy you encounter - Let your heart race with the contours of the story, not over the anger and upset of critics who don't read the books.

I purchased this box set only after seeing the movie trailer. I had recalled reading Golden Compass years before, and I remembered it was good, but decided to read it over since I couldn't recall what it was about.

Utter Brilliance. Philip Pullman manages to create a world unlike any other using a mixture of both fantasy and science. Being a scientist myself, I could relate a lot with the alternate realities and although the concept of daemons was confusing at first, he explained the complicated idea of it so well that I believe he should get a notable mention for just that. If you are the type of person who hates slow paced books, than I can guarantee you will not be bored with this one. Looking back at the trilogy now, the only "slow" parts in the entire series took place in the Golden Compass first four chapters. After that, Pullman has us moving ahead at an astonishing paces, juggling between various intertwined plot lines at once. I sometimes found myself having an adrenaline rush keeping track of it all, making me feel much more for Lyra since she had so many things to take care of in such little time.

I don't really see why C.S. Lewis's books are compared to Pullmans. I don't believe they have anything in common. Lewis does create his own world like Pullman did, but Pullman seemed much more epic to me with a much more complicated storyline, while Lewis just goes straight ahead towards the goal. There was just so much going on here that I was not at all suprised with the way he split the narratives in The Amber Spyglass. Pullman is also darker than Lewis is, and presents much more character development. We see Lyra go from a child to an adult in such a short time dealing with a very complicated world and adultlike situations.

For those concerned with the religious aspects of the books, I myself am a religious person but this did not stop me from enjoying his books; instead I think it made the experience even better. Pullman is constantly challenging the norms in His Dark Materials, not only the magisterium. It's just the idea that not everything is perfect, and you see this within the characters a lot since there is no clear cut line between what side who is on. If you are really a staunch Christian why don't you give it a go: you really might be surprised at how good it is. I myself recommend these books to both children and adults alike- they contain so many different uses of language and themes that both sides can appreciate it. Pullman makes a lot of implications that younger children cannot understand but adults will see immediately. So, even if you read it as a child- read it again, you might be surprised.

Pullman did not bore me even once in his books. I was intrigued throughout all of it, and at this I was very glad I purchased the hardcover copies since I gave it to my younger siblings to read as well. It was so amazing that my brother (who never reads anything in his life) finished it in one go. A must read for everyone, fantasy lovers or not (I'm not).

This trilogy is well-written (slow going at times) with content that some may find disturbing (especially in Books II and III). Despite the ads for the movie (The Golden Compass), this series isn't suitable for younger readers. The lines between good and evil are muddled at times, and the terminology may be disturbing to some (daemons are good, angels can be evil, battling the Authority, etc...). These books are on the "hit list" of many religious groups; the author is apparently an atheist, and some feel that these books are encouraging children to turn against God. As with many books, you can see whatever you want to see in these stories. Personally, I find the underlying themes as dealing with free will, innocence, and the struggle to pursue good when evil takes many forms. I encourage parents to read these books along with their (older) children and discuss them openly. NOTE: The movie (The Golden Compass) glosses over some of the more disturbing elements and events that are in the first book. If you or your children have seen the movie before reading the book, be prepared for some key differences (and some that may be truly upsetting for young children).

"Golden Compass Review in Rhyme

Where can a reader escape to find
Parallel worlds and Panser Bears,
A banished heir or an open mind,
Witches, daemons, and friends in pairs?

A Golden Compass? and what is Dust -
A breath of life or a curse to break -
Innocence lost - a breach of trust -
A burden to bear or a grave mistake?

Along the journey of sacrifice
Courage is tested with trickery and truth,
Will Lyra's determination suffice
To free the captured Bolvanger youth?

Make up your own mind. Be strong
And judge this work for yourself.
I feel it rightfully belongs
On every library shelf.

-JS Moore 12/7/2007"

I believe if someone is going to review a book - whether positive or negative - then they should have at least read the book - and not just believed whatever they've been told about the work. Consequently, when C.S. Lewis began "the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" from the Chronicles of Narnia series, he too, was an atheist - having fallen away from his faith around the age of 15 until around at least the age of 30. Mythological archetypes are parallel really throughout Pagan and Christian lore. Understanding those parallels, I believe - without judging based on a certain platform's stance against something - is what separates an open mind from a tragically closed one.

That said - I am a divorced father to a lovely eleven year old girl whom loves to read. She's read the Harry Potter Series of books and loved them, as well as the films. And she also read the Series of Unfortunate Events series of books and enjoyed them as well, and the movie, too. Much like eleven year old Lyra Belacqua from Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy - my eleven year old seems to live between two very different but very similar worlds; the world of her writer father with numerous bronze statues of characters like Cuchulain, Medusa, and Moses throughout the house - with countless books about mythology, history, the occult, and religion ... and the world of her protective mother - church services whenever the doors are open, with "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books and the Bible on the bookshelf. In my daughter's world away from me she was forbidden to read the Harry Potter series, as well as, the Series of Unfortunate Events books. But when things are forbidden, often times, like the apple in the Garden of Eden - curiousity only fuels us to cross those boundaries even more.

When my daughter and I were at the bookstore recently searching for something she might like to read, I picked up "The Golden Compass" and read the back - then offered "How about this?"

Her face got very serious and her mind had been made up for her already by her disapproving mother "They are trying to kill God in the book Dad."

Naturally, I questioned a little further and my daughter was staunchly opposed to even reading the back cover. She'd already been instilled with a "fear" of the trilogy. But the "fear", to me, is worse than any fictitious propaganda.

Good writers are good readers? Well, I am a reader for sure, so I bought the books and figured I'd make up my own mind about them.

Because I've read "The Golden Compass" I think I can give it an honest review now.

This book was so well written - complex yet simple - and the characters were so meticulously created I believe they could have walked off pages they were so real. Fiesty Lyra Belacqua and her equally fiesty dæmon are perfect hosts as the reader enters their fantastic world and the adventure that follows. Lyra is faced with moral choices that will ultimately not only effect her fate, but the fate of everyone. Her path very much parallels the journey Joseph Campbell maps out in "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" with a divine gadget (the alethiometer) instead of a sword or shield of the gods. I could go on, but I don't want to spoil any of the story.

This series is darker than the Harry Potter books.

There are religious allegories within this book, parallel worlds, but nothing is so serious that I wouldn't let my daughter read it if she was so inclined. I have nothing negative to say about "The Golden Compass." It was a wonderful adventure.

With the movie coming out I can only hope it is not a plotless watered down special effects smorgasboard, but will retain the integrity of the work itself.

Parents should first read the books before making their judgements about them and instilling that "fear" in their children. And remember - "Just don't eat the apple" often leads to them taking a bite.

Understanding Apples

Gathering Leaves: Understanding Apples Book Two

I purchased this set for my 10-year-old who is (was) a die-hard Harry Potter fan. I told her that some believe this author to be better than Rowlings and she scoffed. She came down the next morning having devoured the first novel, and agreed that it was right up there with the Potter series, and was possibly superior in some respects. She also has discussed some of the sociological aspects of the fantasy world painted, and I love that because it makes her think and compare and contrast these sometimes idealized and stylistic fantasy worlds with the reality she experiences here in the 'real' world. Get it for someone (or yourself) as a special gift. Get the hardbacks. They are worth the cost to have as good literature in your library.

I have just this moment finished the final book in the His Dark Materials trilogy. I honestly don't know what it was, but this trilogy has blown my mind.

Imagine plodding through the first book of a trilogy, not too impressed at all with it. Throughout the second half of the book, I'm thinking of going back on my plan to read through all three books, back to back. Whereas I once thought how nice the trilogy would look in my bookshelf, I was now thinking of who I might give them to once I finished. Then, I reach the end of that first book. It finishes on a high point, with a final chapter which is intriguing enough to send me to the first chapter of book two. And then the series takes an interesting turn...

It turns out that the world in which the first book took place was merely a small part of the universe encompassed in the entire trilogy. Without expecting it, I am captivated by the story which bored me at points. I tear through the second book in a little over a week (quick for someone with not much time to read), and then read the astonishing third book in a little less than two weeks. In reading the final pages of the third book, I have finished a trilogy which I now consider to be one of the best stories I have ever read, one which I am likely to return to more than once. It is not Lord of the Rings. It is not Harry Potter. Nor should it be compared to either of the two. It has some similarities, but is an entirely different creature. Characters I was iffy on at the beginning have become very dear to my heart. Most amazingly, I am very anxious to reread the first book. Knowing what I now know about the rest of story, the events in the first book, as well as the other two, will take on some whole new meanings.

I don't expect people to feel as I do, but I would recommend this book to just about anybody. And I would tell them to throw out all of their expectations of what they think the story will be like. Throw out all preconcieved comparisons to any other stories until the end of the last book, at which time they can make their own comparisons. I would warn them that these are NOT children's books, even though some articles make them out to be. The religious and emotional issues dealt with are too deep for almost anyone below high school level. And some of the violence is definitely not for the young. Lastly, the only type of person I would not recommend these books to is someone who is not open minded in terms of God and religion. Deeply religious people might be offended at some of the ideas presented in the story, unless they can objectively differentiate fiction from non.

So there you go. It saddens me to be away from the worlds inside this story. I can only hope Philip Pullman, still being alive, might continue with a new story set in this world at some point in the future.