skip to main content

Reader's Paradise

Some thoughts on Philip Pullman's latest

laceyvail 6A, WV

6 years ago

Just a warning, spoilers here for those who haven't read His Dark Materials.

I read HDM several years ago, and while I admire Pullman's terrific writing, I found the trilogy quite disturbing. Throughout the entire thing, I expected that the "villain" would turn out to be organized religion, not religion and the belief in a God itself. The end, when all the trapped souls simply disintegrate into what seems to be nothing, disturbed me. I've always believed that children should be allowed to read a very wide range of books, but I would not want a child I cared about to read HDM without discussing it afterwards with me.

Now I'm nearly finished with the first volume in Pullman's trilogy that starts with the infancy of the protagonist of HDM, Lyra. Surely all the children who read HDM and loved it would want to read it. But, who does Pullman imagine his readers are? While the general style of this book is clearly a YA novel, there are references to pederasty, the use of the young male protagonist as a bait for a pederast, and a scene where the young boy sees and mostly overhears-pretty graphically--an act of intercourse.

I am certainly no prude, but how can this possibly be appropriate for the many children, some younger than 12, who will be reading this?

While I know that most of you will jump to say, it isn't appropriate, I'd really like to hear from those of you who have started the new trilogy--The Book of Dust", Vol 1-La Belle Sauvage."

Featured Answer

laceyvail 6A, WV
Original Author

6 years ago

Mockingjay probably. Game of Thrones, possibly. They are aimed at young adults. And readers will want to start with His Dark Materials trilogy, not this one that assumes the knowledge of the former.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

vee_new
6 years ago
lacey, I have I have never read any Pulman but recently I heard part of one (or maybe it was the trilogy) done as a radio play. It concerned a terrible flood and a couple of young people with someone's baby leaving in a canoe. Everyone had 'spirits' (evil or good) attached to them or hovering near them. I don't know if I could have dealt with it when young . .. certainly didn't notice any sexual references.
laceyvail 6A, WV
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Well, I'm sure they left those parts out, but that is indeed the basic plot of the new novel. The sexual references are not a major part of the plot by any means, but they're still there.
Related Discussions
Thoughts about kitchen lighting - to myself
Q
Comments (6)
Normclc, Thanks for reply. I only lightly touched trim. Bought several $48 trims at Lowes on the discount table for $3 each (a special order that was returned). I was pretty proud of myself. It was a highly refective trim. I tested one and it blow me out of the house. The trim reflected so intently that you could not look at it, nor did I want to get near it for fear of a sunburn. I took them back. Now that I look back, the reflector might have worked well with a much lower watt bulb. Somewhere recently I read "DO NOT get a bright reflective or white reflector because of the glare; get black reflectors." I will test the reflectors once I select the fixture and wattage. Why do you like the reflectors you picked? I see that they are pricey. They must justify the price, but how? Thanks, Bob
...See More
Preview of some of my design choices: pic heavy
Q
Comments (72)
I'm so sorry to hear about all of the sink drama! I even did a little googling last night to see what I could find - there's a complete dearth of info out there regarding Shaw sinks and disposals! On the other hand - your space is coming along fantastically! I love it! The counters, the little barn light over the door, the fri*dge cab... I could go on and on. Woo!
...See More
A New Year; Some New Books!
Q
Comments (150)
I'm not frieda, but IMHO I would have ended it when they finished the exhibit and went home. No scandal, no DaVinci code/Mission Impossilbe ending. The only thing I might have included - and was surprised that she didn't - was the visit Lola's real life person made with David, the son of the family who took her in. That takes place in the NYer excerpt and was very surprised she left it out. I can well imagine an editor insisting on some thrilling ending, which is too bad because in a book like this its the last thing you need. >This sort of novel will lead me on to other readings, hopefully, about the history of Bosnia, the former Yugoslavia, the Ottoman Empire, and the "Convivencia" time period of Spain's history Ones I've read: The Fracture Zone by Simon Winchester (non fiction), Birds without Wings (fiction). I also have read lots of history of the areas because I read travel narratives. I would recommend the classic Black Lamb Gray Falcon by Rebecca West - however its dated, and you'll get lots of gripes from all sides of the story of her different take on situations. But its worth reading just for the travel sections. I don't know any from the Convivencia period, tho I've read bits and pieces about it in other books. I'd love to know some of those as well - pass them on when you find them.
...See More
Need some help with Brit-speak!
Q
Comments (148)
Cheeky is quite a nice word. It's almost always used by an adult to a child. If it's said in an angry tone, it means impertinent. For example, Stewed Eel purveyor above might well have said "You cheeky little bugger!" (Actually, in the forties, he wouldn't have said that to a girl, but he would to a boy, probably accompanied with a clip round the ear!) But if it's said in an affectionate tone (particularly to a small child) it means cute and endearing. Indulgent grandmother to small grandchild "Oh, aren't you a cheeky boy!" There is also the noun "cheek" - "The cheek of him, saying that to me !" Particularly rude or blatant "cheek" is usually "bare-faced cheek" !
...See More
woodnymph2_gw
6 years ago
I've heard about this author for years, but I cannot comment, as none of his books have ever come my way. Nor do I know anyone who has read them.
laceyvail 6A, WV
Original Author
6 years ago
They'd strongly appeal to all the people who loved Harry Potter, though they're darker. Much darker, I'd say.
woodnymph2_gw
6 years ago
Would they appeal to someone who loved the Mockingjay trilogy? Or Game of Thrones?
Rosefolly
5 years ago
I did like the Philip Pullman trilogy, although I do not share his opinion about religion, at least not to the extent he does. And I do think he is pitching his books to the older YA audience, teens rather than 12-14 year olds. There is a tendency in the publishing world to call any book with a young protagonist a YA or children's book, when many books with a protagonist of that age would appeal to adults. At least, that is the case if they are well written and deal with interesting themes.
laceyvail 6A, WV
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I too think his books are written more for older YAs, but most certainly many readers are younger-- just as with the Harry Potter books. (My granddaughter was 9 when when she read the Harry Potter books.) And throughout the first trilogy, I felt sure that the villain was organized religion, not belief in God. That was the shocker for me (and I don't belong to any organized religion and my views of "God" are quite large, inclusive, and highly unconventional.)

I still feel that the reference to pederasty in the first volume of the new trilogy is inappropriate and the overheard sex too graphic. It could have been toned down just a trifle.

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR Trend Watch: 13 Kitchen Looks Expected to Be Big in 2015

By Natasha Saroca

3 designers share their thoughts on what looks, finishes and design elements will be on trend in the year ahead

HOME TECH New TV Remote Controls Promise to Do More — Without the Struggle

Dim your lights, set up user profiles and discover a remote you can't lose. Welcome to the latest and greatest way to change the channel

LIGHTING Is Smart Lighting a Smart Choice for You?

By David K Warfel at LightCanHelpYou.com

A professional offers advice on the latest in smart lighting for your home

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Undone in the French Quarter

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Color and history abound in this ‘unrenovated’ pied-à-terre in the Big Easy

REMODELING GUIDES 6 Steps to Planning a Successful Building Project

By Ventana Construction LLC

Put in time on the front end to ensure that your home will match your vision in the end

DECORATING GUIDES 28 Design Ideas Coming to Homes Near You in 2017

By Mitchell Parker

Set to go big: Satin brass, voice assistants, vanity conversions, spring green and more

ORGANIZING Get Organized: Are You a Piler or a Filer?

By Alison Hodgson

Tote out the bins and baskets and learn how to be an organized piler if file cabinets leave you cringing

LIGHTING What to Know About Switching to LED Lightbulbs

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If you’ve been thinking about changing over to LEDs but aren't sure how to do it and which to buy, this story is for you

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Considering a New Kitchen Gadget? Read This First

By Mitchell Parker

Save money, time and space by learning to separate the helpers from the hassles

FURNITURE Houzz Call: Show Us Your Furniture Makeover Project

By Bryan Anthony

Have you reupholstered a tattered chair, transformed a dresser or revitalized bookshelves? Share your handiwork!

Sponsored

J.Holderby - Renovations

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

More Discussions

Best Reads of 2023

9

February ......what are you reading !? ,

56

Books we have DNFed

42

The Game for March

106

The Game for April

76