The Amber Spyglass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 3)(Rough-cut) (Hardcover)

by Philip Pullman (Author)

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; Deluxe edition (August 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375846735
• ISBN-13: 978-0375846731
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #108,473 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the commitment, December 7, 2007

By	C. Edell (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found that the final installment to Pullman's His Dark Materials series completed a well constructed plot, and incorporated scientific concepts into fantasy without actually feeling like science fiction. Despite the controversy, and I can see how this book can be considered quite heretical, the underlying idea is about the potential of the abusing power and the revolting that can emerge because of it. In contrast to many other allegorical tales intended to denigrate religion, Pullman was daring enough to name outright his antagonists as the Church and God. This bold stance tends to suggest a heretical viewpoint when misinterpreted as anything other than pure fiction. And to be honest, being familiar with the sciences discussed, if anything I would feel more inclined to be offended by Pullman's liberties with dark matter and quantum physics than the commentary on religion.

Altogether the final book wrapped everything up in a pretty pink bow, and left me with a solid impression of the imaginative worlds Pullman created. The story was focused, well constructed, had many twists in plot, full of adventurous situations, and dealt with themes that ultimately impact not only man's consciousness but the entire multiverse. Although initially hesitant to commit myself to children's fantasy, I consider my time sitting behind these books as well spent and the combined series as one of the most memorable things read throughout the year.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Writers Have an Agenda, January 13, 2008

By	Anastasia McPherson "Bibliophile" (The Wilds of Rural Utah) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Phillip Pullman's trilogy is brilliant. Yes, it has a moral agenda, but so did the Chronicles of Narnia and so did The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. What people are objecting to is the fact that they don't agree with the agenda - and are critisizing the books as if other writers of moral children's fantasy didn't have an agenda - mainly to push the Christian agenda.

Pullman is a religious type (all of the athiests I have ever known proselytize as fervently as the most avid evangelical)and he presents his view in a wonderful trilogy. The Christian church does have a lot to explain and atone for and more focus on the world as it is rather than the world to come would do humanity a lot of good.

The world that Pullman creates is as magical a world as has ever been put to paper - on par with the classics. Read these and read them to your children - along with the Christian classics and discuss all of it with your children. Both they and you will gain.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, December 11, 2007

By	Kate the Great! - See all my reviews

This is the end piece to a masterful trilogy. Pullman is one of the most original and gifted fantasy writers in the last 20 years. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and have read it a few times--finding new insights each time. Don't let a few bigoted reviewers dissuade you from the wonderful experience of reading these books. I've bought these books for my friend's children and family-all have love them.