Compass, Knife, Spyglass

An Alethiometer

His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman

The Golden Compass (bk. 1)
New York : Alfred A. Knopf, c1995.
399 p. ; 22 cm.


The Subtle Knife  (bk. 2) 
 New York : Ballantine Books, 1998.
288 p. ; 18 cm.


The Amber Spyglass  (bk. 3)
New York : Alfred A. Knopf, c2000.
518 p. ; 22 cm. 

I read The Golden Compass about 12 years ago for a class in young adult literature.  I thought it was pretty good at the time, but also remember having to rush through it so as to finish all the books on the class reading list.  When my son - who is now several years out of high school - heard me say I was fishing around for some books to read during this summer, he said , "You really ought to read all the books in the The Golden Compass series," better known as His Dark Materials.  I decided I would read them, and I have to say that I enjoyed them a lot.

The trilogy is a fantasy, science fiction tour de force. It manages to explore ideas of the multiverse, religion, theology, particle physics, war, loyalty, family, etc. within a wildly imaginative and every expanding story of adventure, danger, betrayal, loyalty and love.  Religion and theology plays a central role in the books, and so it is no wonder that Pullman's series has faced many challenges and controversy (think Banned Books Week!)

For myself, I liked The Golden Compass best.  I think it is the most spare and elegant - the next installments begin to layer on more and more elements of the supernatural - angels, god, the alternate worlds, etc. to the point where I found it a bit much.  The Golden Compass is also the book that presents Pullman's great conceit - the daemon, an intelligent animal embodiment of the persons psyche/soul.  It's really a marvelous concept and well developed throughout the trilogy.  Though the first book was my favorite, I have no doubt that fantasy fans would love all three.  There are great characters, exciting plot developments, and really wonderful expositions of the setting, etc.

Do you know a fantasy reader who has not read His Dark Materials?  If so they won't be disappointed.