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Author Topic:   His Dark Materials
Dan Carroll
Inactive Member


Message 1 of 69 (50646)
08-15-2003 10:39 AM


For those who like fantasy books, I'm just now on the last chapter of the third book of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman.
It's wonderful. The plot is set in motion by a man who has set out to overthrow God, gathering an army from every parallel universe he can reach. Heavy with biblical imagery, by a man who has boned up on his bible studies.
Perhaps not for any ardent Christians in the audience... it's not kind to organized religion, or to God in general.
There are three books: "The Golden Compass", "The Subtle Knife", and "The Amber Spyglass". Go forth and read!

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by Wounded King, posted 08-25-2003 11:24 AM Dan Carroll has not replied
 Message 4 by crashfrog, posted 08-25-2003 4:31 PM Dan Carroll has replied
 Message 11 by nator, posted 09-02-2003 6:23 PM Dan Carroll has not replied
 Message 22 by Dr Jack, posted 12-06-2007 6:55 AM Dan Carroll has not replied

  
Wounded King
Member
Posts: 4149
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Joined: 04-09-2003


Message 2 of 69 (52135)
08-25-2003 11:24 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Dan Carroll
08-15-2003 10:39 AM


Hurrah for Philip Pullman, hurrah for the anti-C.S. Lewis!!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Dan Carroll, posted 08-15-2003 10:39 AM Dan Carroll has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by MrHambre, posted 08-25-2003 12:02 PM Wounded King has replied

  
MrHambre
Member (Idle past 1393 days)
Posts: 1495
From: Framingham, MA, USA
Joined: 06-23-2003


Message 3 of 69 (52150)
08-25-2003 12:02 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by Wounded King
08-25-2003 11:24 AM


I'm still waiting for the anti-Tim-LaHaye. Any recommendations would be welcome.
------------------
En la tierra de ciegos, el tuerto es el Rey.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by Wounded King, posted 08-25-2003 11:24 AM Wounded King has replied

Replies to this message:
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crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1467 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 4 of 69 (52188)
08-25-2003 4:31 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Dan Carroll
08-15-2003 10:39 AM


I just finished "The Golden Compass", and will probably pick up the next two.
I thought it was fun... it's pretty obviously a children's book. The plots are pretty straightforward and it's usually pretty clear who the good and bad guys are. At least, in the first one.
I'm finding the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to Paradise Lost fun, as well.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Dan Carroll, posted 08-15-2003 10:39 AM Dan Carroll has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 5 by Dan Carroll, posted 08-25-2003 4:48 PM crashfrog has replied

  
Dan Carroll
Inactive Member


Message 5 of 69 (52190)
08-25-2003 4:48 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by crashfrog
08-25-2003 4:31 PM


It's written as a kids series... to a degree. But c'mon... the bears are ripping one anothers' jaws off. There's some hardcore stuff in there.
"The Subtle Knife" is where it starts to get bad. ass. Will (the main character alongside Lyra) is awesome.

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 Message 6 by crashfrog, posted 08-25-2003 5:24 PM Dan Carroll has not replied

  
crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1467 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 6 of 69 (52197)
08-25-2003 5:24 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by Dan Carroll
08-25-2003 4:48 PM


It's written as a kids series... to a degree. But c'mon... the bears are ripping one anothers' jaws off. There's some hardcore stuff in there.
Oh, yeah. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't my intent to say that the books were all namby-pamby flowers and ponies or something. There's blood and death.
But the plot seemed to be a pretty straightforward travelogue. I guess I had just read the new Harry Potter books, and while those aren't exactly Tolkien, they do have a few more plot wrinkles than The Golden Compass seemed to.
Loved it, tho. I'll pick up the next one, for sure.

This message is a reply to:
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PaulK
Member
Posts: 17822
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


Message 7 of 69 (52204)
08-25-2003 5:49 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by MrHambre
08-25-2003 12:02 PM


Well there is _Good Omens_

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Wounded King
Member
Posts: 4149
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Joined: 04-09-2003


Message 8 of 69 (52287)
08-26-2003 6:39 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by MrHambre
08-25-2003 12:02 PM


What about Sherri S. Tepper, in 'Fresco' the fundamentalist christian's with anti-choice views get impregnated by Giant alien insects.

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Wounded King
Member
Posts: 4149
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Joined: 04-09-2003


Message 9 of 69 (52288)
08-26-2003 6:41 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by crashfrog
08-25-2003 5:24 PM


No way Crash!!!! The latest Harry Potter has a more developed plot line?!!! Are you sure your not just hallucinating from fatigue after reading it?

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crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1467 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 10 of 69 (52307)
08-26-2003 10:11 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by Wounded King
08-26-2003 6:39 AM


What about Sherri S. Tepper, in 'Fresco' the fundamentalist christian's with anti-choice views get impregnated by Giant alien insects.
Yes, there's nothing like a good liberal payback fantasy to put me in a good mood.
If you're a regular Sheri S. Tepper reader, I believe I once started a Coffee House topic on her apparent beliefs... we reached a pretty quick impasse because no one but me had apparently read her books. I'd be interested in your input on the questions I raised.

This message is a reply to:
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nator
Member (Idle past 2170 days)
Posts: 12961
From: Ann Arbor
Joined: 12-09-2001


Message 11 of 69 (53545)
09-02-2003 6:23 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Dan Carroll
08-15-2003 10:39 AM


I'm coming in to this thread late, but I just have to say that I read the "His Dark Materials" trilogy last year and loved every single word.
I cried, even.
I could really relate to Lyra in many ways; the man understands the psyches of little girls.
I read another one of his earlier books but it wasn't as good.
I seem to be on a kids book bent these days between the above-mentioned series, the Harry Potter books, and Holes (anyone read that one?).
I like good fiction but can never decide what to buy. I am going to be on a plane for 13 hours soon...any reccomendations for what to read?
I want softback and entertaining. No histories or analysis. I want stories.
So far I have purchased "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bordaine.
Help!

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 12 by PaulK, posted 09-02-2003 6:35 PM nator has replied

  
PaulK
Member
Posts: 17822
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


Message 12 of 69 (53548)
09-02-2003 6:35 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by nator
09-02-2003 6:23 PM


Without knowing your tastes, it's hard to come up with good recommendations, but these are some suggestions.
On the fantasy side there's Patricia McKillip, and a couple of Sharon Shinn's books that you might like (_The Shapeshifter's Wife_ and _Summers at Castle Auburn_). Another YA series, Jan Siegel's _Prospero's Children_ and its sequels could be worth a look, though I don't know how easy they will be for you to find.
Given that the latest followups have recently appeared, if you fancy a Dumas-pastiche fantasy Steven Brust's _The Phoenix Guards_ is likely to be in print - and it should last you a good long time on the flight.
From what I've heard about Kitchen Confidential I don't think that I would take it on a long flight. Unless it's to kill your appetite enough to refuse airline meals :-)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by nator, posted 09-02-2003 6:23 PM nator has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 13 by nator, posted 09-02-2003 7:57 PM PaulK has replied

  
nator
Member (Idle past 2170 days)
Posts: 12961
From: Ann Arbor
Joined: 12-09-2001


Message 13 of 69 (53571)
09-02-2003 7:57 PM
Reply to: Message 12 by PaulK
09-02-2003 6:35 PM


Thanks for the suggestions, Paul!
quote:
From what I've heard about Kitchen Confidential I don't think that I would take it on a long flight. Unless it's to kill your appetite enough to refuse airline meals :-)
I have worked in the retail food and restaurant business for almost 10 years...I know exactly what goes on in kitchens!
Thanks for the concern for my appetite, however.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 12 by PaulK, posted 09-02-2003 6:35 PM PaulK has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by PaulK, posted 09-03-2003 3:45 AM nator has replied

  
PaulK
Member
Posts: 17822
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


Message 14 of 69 (53635)
09-03-2003 3:45 AM
Reply to: Message 13 by nator
09-02-2003 7:57 PM


Also remembered a few classics on the children's fantasy side.
Susan Cooper's _The Dark is Rising_ sequence
Alan Garner's _The Owl Service_, _The Weirdstone of Brisingamen_ and it's seque; _The Moon of Gomrath_
All greatly enjoyed in my younger days

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Replies to this message:
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Wounded King
Member
Posts: 4149
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Joined: 04-09-2003


Message 15 of 69 (53809)
09-04-2003 5:41 AM
Reply to: Message 14 by PaulK
09-03-2003 3:45 AM


Another children's classic is 'The Phantom Tollbooth' by Norton Juster.

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