With all the hooha about the new Harry Potter book, I thought it might not go astray to give Philip Pullman a bit of a namecheck. If you've not read the His Dark Materials trilogy, then I very strongly recommend that you do so; they're geared somewhat to the sort of "young adult" audience Rowling is targeting, but from what I've been able to gather of the stories of the Potter books (which I only know through the film versions, I must admit), Pullman's books have somewhat more to commend them to the older adult reader. I'd heard of the books a year or two ago, but wasn't until I was working at my local library on my TAFE placement that I discovered they actually had them, so I got them out. read them in fairly short order, and have decided these are actually three of the best fiction books I've ever read by anyone (and I am not given to making statements like that lightly). You can read about them on the Net (e.g. this site for the BBC radio adaptation, but I personally had a lot more fun with them by not knowing too much about them, so the increasingly grand plot twists are rather more effective. Oh, and if you're one of those people who thinks the Potter books are Satanic (such as this saddo), then Pullman's books will give you fits.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Define "hooha" my friend - we have wife-beaters and hoopla
2 - PB
didn't you think they were manipulative, especially considering the intended audience?
if i were a parent, i would definitely have a discussion about religion and history with my kids before letting them read this trilogy.
3 - CR
Why? Any kid bright enough to read and understand Pullman is probably bright enough to do some exploring of religion and history on her or his own. (And probably will, given that F/SF fans tend to be drawn to that sort of thing, sooner or later.)
I dunno; I read CS Lewis' Narnia series at an impressionable age, and it didn't seem to do me lasting harm. And that's a far more manipulative use of fiction than Pullman's.
4 - Emma
I think the Pullman's novels are extrodinary and I am reading the ruby in the smoke at this moment. I have finished his dark triliogy series and I loved them so much. They are much better than the Potter series even though I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter series.
5 - Artemis Fowl's sister
EVERYONE!
IF YOU HAVE READ THE ARTEMIS FOWL BOOKS THAN YOU KNOW WHO ARTEMIS FOWL IS. THE THING IS, THERE IS A REAL ARTEMIS FOWL. HE'S MY BROTHER. MOST PEOPLE WOULDN'T BELIEVE ME BUT I SWEAR ON GOD'S OATH THAT HE DOES EXIST AND THAT LEP DOES EXIST. I DON'T CARE WHAT EOIN COFFLER SAYS, ARTEMIS FOWL IS REAL!!!!!!!! BELIEVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 - candice
I have read all three books of the dark triliogy and love them! they are some that i've enjoyed if not more than the harry potter series. Philip Pullmans books are fantastic but i'd like to put forward my best comments to 'The Amber Spyglass'. My whole family's a fan and we encourage you to countinue writing!
7 - heather
pullmans dark trilogy series are incredible...its very exciting. it would be awesome if he could continue them becuase it would be best seller but not only that. its because everyone wants to know what else happens
8 - alannah
i think philip pullman has a fantastic imagination! but like many others i wish he would write more. i am however very disipointed with the ending of the amber spyglass, it is very clever but he can't just have them fall in love and then never see eachother again (for those who have read the books you know who i mean, for those who haven't read the books!) i wish i could find this fantastic authors email so i can convince him to write more, i feel upset it hasn't ended perfectly and that they aren't together i mean i know its not real and its stupid to get into it but i did and i can't help but feel sad with the ending....
9 - Henry Luke
I read Philip Pullman's books and I loved them. they are the best books I have ever read, and I would reccomend them to everybody who likes Ender's Game or Ender's Shadow. To all who have read this series and seen a film by the director Myazaki,(Spirited Away, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, etc.) imagine this... His Dark Materials as a movie in anime, by Myazaki!!!!
-Henry Luke, 11
10 - Allie
I love the dark trilogy! i just wish it didn't end like it did...it is a good ending, but it leaves me, at least, curious of what will happen next. will Will ever see Lyra again?? I am also a big fan of Harry Potter, but honestly I think His Dark Materials is more interesting, and better written.
11 - Brianna
The dark materials trilogy is the best books i have ever read!!and now they are making it into a movie.that is so cool.i really would love to be apart of this movie in some way.you know!?!
I really want to find out Pilip Pullmans email too.READ THIS BOOK!!!
Oh if you like these books, watch the Hayao Miyazaki movies(howls flying castle,princess mononoke,spirited away etc)
12 - paola
his books are good but you guys dont have to critisize the harry potter books. Everyone has a different style for writing. No book is "better" than another book. You guys should keep that in mind.
13 - Mary Parker
Hey, i'm only 11 read Philip Pullman's dark materials and there the best books i'ver read, miles better than Harry Potter.
14 - swany
I'm fourteen read the dark materials and thought they were the best bookd i've ever read. read all harry potter, not even in the same league as Philip Pullaman
15 - Sta
I think His Dark Materials is very well-written. After I read the last book, I admit, I became a person of more depth. I know it's real cheese when people mention how fiction books change their lives but seriously, my eyes were open after that book.