Philip Pullman?

[Gwenhwyfar]

Hi :) I'm new here, so I don't really know how these forums work or anything and i'm sorry if I'm doing something wrong or anything. But I wanted to ask if anyone has considered putting Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy here on the network. They're modern lit but they draw heavily from works like Paradise Lost and the Bible and - well, Pullman is just such an amazingly brilliant writer that I'm sure the trilogy will soon be thought of as a classic worth reading. I really hope that someone here has even heard of them since they're the most beautful, awe-inspiring books.

[Rosalind]

Hello, Gwenhyfar
I love Phillip Pullman and the HDM trilogy, but I don't think they'd be put on the website. It's a matter of age and copyright and technical legal stuff which I don't actually know anything about, so don't take my word for it. ;) However, should the opportunity arise, I fully second the nomination.
Have you read any of Pullman's other stuff, by the way? I have a very soft spot for the Sally Lockhart trilogy. They're not nearly as deep or dark as the Dark Materials, but they're fun.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Yeah, I wouldn't call them a classic, but they're certainly brilliant...if only they had been written a few more years ago :P
I've read The Tin Princess and the Ruby in the Smoke...they were confusing, because I haven't read the others, but I love them anyway, especially The Tin Princess. They don't have the depth of beauty that His Dark Materials do, but they're great all the same!
I do hope there aren't any copyright restrictions...

[Rosalind]

Nope, the author has to have been dead for a few years...or something like that. Ah well.
I enjoyed The Tin Princess, but myself I enjoyed the Sally Lockhart trilogy more. There more--noir. All penny dreadful-y and fun. Certainly not as much depth and beauty, but a great rainy day read! Shadow in the North is after Ruby in the Smoke, and I didn't like it as much, but I reccomend it just so you can to Tiger in the Well.

[Koa]

I have a very soft spot for the Sally Lockhart trilogy.


OMG!!! I LOVED that when I was younger... I thought noone knew those books! How's the third book of the trilogy called??? I've never read it and I think it hasn't been published here where I am, or at least it wasnt when I was into it... I would love to find it now tho!

And what's this dark material thing? Enlighten me, I've never heard of it, I actually don't know anything of what he wrote besides 'kids' stuff (do you know a book of his called, I think 'Too Cool', or something about being cool anyway? I loved that one too!!!)

Let me know!!! :)

Edit: was it that Tiger in the Well thing you mentioned? Oh how I love Sally... Is the book easy to find?

[Rosalind]

Aww, that's a pity about not being able to find the third one--especially the way number two ends! Yes, it's called 'The Tiger in the Well.' It's not out of print or anything, so maybe it just wasn't out when you read them. Definately read it, if you get the chance.

The His Dark Materials trilogy is comprised of 'The Golden Compass,' 'The Subtle Knife,' and 'The Amber Spyglass.' They definately aren't 'kids stuff,' but there's always a debate about what they are exactly. The main protagonists are teenagers, but the books are complex and very dark and often categorized as adult fiction. They're also extremely controversial. However, even those who strongly object to the content cannot argue against the quality of writing. The HDM isn't anything like Sally Lockhart, if the SL books are inspired by shilling shockers, than HDM draws more from 'Paradise Lost,' but they're still a fascinating read.

'Too Cool'? Never heard of it. I've only read a few of his stand alone books. What's it about?

[Koa]

It's actually called How To Be Cool, it's another kid stuff but it's hilarious... It's about a group of kids fighting against a Ministery who decides what's cool and what's not... basically, they try to set up their own fashion before everybody is like trapped into the same fashion because of this Ministery...lovely one, less 'serious' than the Sally thing but really enjoyable as a relaxing read...

Oh yes the end of the second part of Sally's story was shocking to the 12-year-old me...I wanted more! I will find the third one, actually I want to read them all in original now that I can...Sally has been a real idol to me in my early teens, I just took a lot of inspiration from that kind of strong woman, who defies society for what she belives in... and this Dark Materials thing seems so interesting, I love Dark stuff...thanks a lot, I'll check it out.