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Shedding Light on His Dark Materials: Exploring Hidden Spiritual Themes in Philip Pullman's Popular Series (Hardcover)

~ Kurt Bruner (Author), Jim Ware (Author)
Key Phrases: subtle knife, imaginative adaptation, dark materials, Lord Asriel, Philip Pullman, Amber Spyglass (more...)
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Shedding Light on His Dark Materials: Exploring Hidden Spiritual Themes in Philip Pullman's Popular Series + Killing the Imposter God: Philip Pullman's Spiritual Imagination in His Dark Materials + His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Best selling authors of Finding God in the Lord of the Rings Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware team up again in a study of Philip Pullman's popular His Dark Materials fantasy series. Unlike authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, Pullman writes from an intentionally anti-Christian perspective. As the authors explore Pullman's themes, characters, and charges against Christianity, they ultimately conclude that though Pullman intended to do just the opposite, he has created a cosmos that seems to confirm the existence of a loving God--one where truth wins out over deception, grace trumps the virtue of self-reliance, and relationship is prized above independence. Released in conjunction with the major feature film, Shedding Light on His Dark Materials will equip parents, teachers, and readers to better understand and respond to Pullman's brilliant but troubling work.


From the Inside Flap

A universe “shot through from end to end with shafts of strangely conspicuous light . . .”

So Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware describe the worlds Lyra, Will, and their fellow characters inhabit in Philip Pullman’s popular His Dark Materials series. The authors argue that, though he intended to do just the opposite, Pullman has created a cosmos that seems to confirm the existence of a loving God—one where truth wins out over deception, grace trumps the virtue of self-reliance, and relationship is ultimately prized above independence.

Whether you’re a fan of His Dark Materials or a concerned observer of the phenomenon Pullman has produced, you’re sure to gain new insights into this best-selling author and his series through these thought-provoking reflections.

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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: SaltRiver (September 13, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1414315643
  • ISBN-13: 978-1414315645
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #680,816 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #31 in  Books > Children's Books > Series > Science Fiction > His Dark Materials

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More About the Author

Kurt D. Bruner
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
subtle knife, imaginative adaptation, dark materials
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lord Asriel, Philip Pullman, Amber Spyglass, Golden Compass, Mary Malone, Jordan College, Robin Hood, Ruta Skadi, Paradise Lost, Clouded Mountain, Serafina Pekkala, Father Gomez, New Testament, God Himself, Jesus Christ, Land of the Dead, Lord Boreal, Lord Regent, Tony Makarios
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12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview of His Dark Materials, December 17, 2007
I picked this book up because of the publisher, SaltRiver. They also published the best analysis of the Harry Potter series I have ever read ("Finding God in Harry Potter"). So I picked it up, having read Northern Lights (retitled "The Golden Compass" later on) when I was younger, and having seen the recent film adaptation.

The book is a collection of short meditations on certain themes found in Pullman's His Dark Materials from a Christian perspective. They tend to be good, but very, very basic. For instance, one of the mediatations is on "Family," and they talk about all the broken family relationships in the His Dark Materials books, and then talk about how God is our Father and we are his family.

In terms of literary criticism, the book does not provide any overview or summary of the story or Pullman's world, and so in that way assumes you have *some* knowledge of the His Dark Materials universe, while the writing style makes it clear they do not expect you to have any knowledge of the story, which is odd.

In addition, the book does not really explore Pullman's universe and analize it in any kind of depth. Mostly they simply use bits and pieces of it as springboards for thematic discussion. In the way of simply describing and dealing in the universe as is, Finding God in Harry Potter does a much better job of it.

I do recommend this book, though. Bruner and Ware reveal a very important fact about the His Dark Materials trilogy, which is that atheist Pullman *assumes* a Christian world, a world where free grace, love, self-sacrifice, nobility, and honor hold sway, in order to attack that world. No matter what atheist Pullman does, he is revealing the God he doesn't believe in. That is one of the best values of this book. Its discussions on the "Authority" (aka God) and the "Magisterium" (aka the Church) are quite good.

One last thing I enjoyed about the book. It does take Pullman to task, but it also recognizes the value of storytelling and Pullman's talents as an artist, so it is not fully negative, nor fully positive. There is little rhetorical fire-and-brimstone, and simply a reasoned, balanced analysis.
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12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Thoughtful Christian Perspective on the work of Philip Pullman, December 9, 2007
There has been a strong outcry within the religious community about the anti-Christian worldview of Philip Pullman with movements to boycott The Golden Compass film and the books. Instead of joining the boycott (which traditionally doesn't work and only drives more people toward whatever is being boycotted), I decided to read Kurt Bruner & Jim Ware's insight.

Each chapter of this book opens with an excerpt from Pullman then the authors examine different themes from the books and compare them to traditional Christian views, include Scriptures and their own theological insight. It results in a well-crafted and excellent text. In the afterthought section, when a friend hears that Jim Ware is working on this book, he says, "Pullman. Pretty dark stuff, huh?" Many Christians will find the answer surprising.

Ware says, "I've given that last question a lot of thought during the weeks and months since Kurt and I first undertook this project. And the more I've pondered it, the more certain I've become that my friend was wrong...That's not for lack of trying on the author's part, of course. Pullman definitely deserves an A for effort. He's done his level best to offend the sensibilities of traditionally minded, God-fearing people...Yet despite the shadows that hang about the perimeter of his imaginary world Pullman hasn't quite succeeded in keeping out the light. It seeps in relentlessly through the cracks. It upstages the writer's purported agenda and steals the scene at every opportunity. And it makes its presence felt most effectively at the very heart of the drama." (p. 154-155)

Yes, you can go along with the herd mentality and boycott the Pullman books and the film. Or you can take a more balanced approach and celebrate the skilled storytelling from Philip Pullman and understand how he didn't fulfill his intended agenda.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to examine the spiritual themes in His Dark Materials.
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