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HP Saucerer's Reviews > His Dark Materials
His Dark Materials (His Dark Materials, #1-3)
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HP Saucerer's review
bookshelves: fantasy, read-in-2019, 5-star-reads, magic, modern-classics
Jan 31, 2019
bookshelves: fantasy, read-in-2019, 5-star-reads, magic, modern-classics
Having heard that His Dark Materials was seen as being a scathing attack on religion and its indoctrinated practices, I'd always wondered if this was truly the case, and having faith only made me all the more curious to delve in and see for myself. But to say this series is anti-God is a great disservice and entirely unjust. Sure, the Magisterium - the antagonist in the series - is an omnipotent, oppressive authority, symbolising organised religion, but the series is about so much more than that. It is about a little person taking on her world’s biggest authority, and not destroying it – but setting it free. It is about the innocence of youth, the longing to find a sense of purpose in the world, and ultimately, it is a story filled with great hope.
His Dark Materials cannot easily be compartmentalised: it changes its guise as quickly as a child's daemon, seamlessly switching from fantasy quest to political thriller, murder mystery to love story. In many ways, it is radical reading, particularly given that it is supposedly a story written for children. It is a series that speaks many truths: about how the world is, and how children are. It will grip you from the very start, draw you in, tug at your heart and challenge your thinking. This remarkable series is truly one for the ages. Now on to the Book of Dust!
His Dark Materials cannot easily be compartmentalised: it changes its guise as quickly as a child's daemon, seamlessly switching from fantasy quest to political thriller, murder mystery to love story. In many ways, it is radical reading, particularly given that it is supposedly a story written for children. It is a series that speaks many truths: about how the world is, and how children are. It will grip you from the very start, draw you in, tug at your heart and challenge your thinking. This remarkable series is truly one for the ages. Now on to the Book of Dust!
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Reading Progress
November 10, 2018
–
Started Reading
November 10, 2018
– Shelved
January 31, 2019
–
Finished Reading
February 1, 2019
– Shelved as:
fantasy
February 7, 2019
– Shelved as:
read-in-2019
February 27, 2019
– Shelved as:
5-star-reads
February 27, 2019
– Shelved as:
modern-classics
February 27, 2019
– Shelved as:
magic
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Mathew
(new)
Feb 01, 2019 01:20AM
I think this is quite a beautiful review.
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I'd argue that it is an excellent book but I think Pullman makes it clear that it's for an older audience. I enjoyed it very much but I think I should revisit it.
Your excellent review has sold it to me. There’s a copy at my local library. May have to make that my next read after Journey to the River Sea!
I saw you were reading the Ibbotson. That might be my favourite of hers.
I read this when it first came out HP and was entranced by it. Matthew is right you have written a beautiful review. I agree it is not a book for children and has tremendous depth. I must read it again and also get his latest further up my pile of books waiting to be read. Thank you.
Thanks, Lila. A remarkable work of fiction with, as you say, tremendous depth. I’m really looking forward to the joint HBO/BBC adaptation coming this autumn. I hope it does the series justice.
I see that Virgin are serialising it on TV at the moment HP if yo9u fancy watching instead of reading?
