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Author | Topic: His Dark Materials | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dan Carroll Inactive Member |
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!
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Wounded King Member Posts: 4149 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Joined: |
Hurrah for Philip Pullman, hurrah for the anti-C.S. Lewis!!
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MrHambre Member (Idle past 1393 days) Posts: 1495 From: Framingham, MA, USA Joined: |
I'm still waiting for the anti-Tim-LaHaye. Any recommendations would be welcome.
------------------En la tierra de ciegos, el tuerto es el Rey.
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crashfrog Member (Idle past 1467 days) Posts: 19762 From: Silver Spring, MD Joined: |
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.
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Dan Carroll Inactive Member |
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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crashfrog Member (Idle past 1467 days) Posts: 19762 From: Silver Spring, MD Joined: |
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.
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PaulK Member Posts: 17822 Joined: Member Rating: 2.2 |
Well there is _Good Omens_
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Wounded King Member Posts: 4149 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Joined: |
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: |
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: |
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.
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nator Member (Idle past 2170 days) Posts: 12961 From: Ann Arbor Joined: |
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!
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PaulK Member Posts: 17822 Joined: Member Rating: 2.2 |
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 :-)
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nator Member (Idle past 2170 days) Posts: 12961 From: Ann Arbor Joined: |
Thanks for the suggestions, Paul!
quote: 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.
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PaulK Member Posts: 17822 Joined: Member Rating: 2.2 |
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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Wounded King Member Posts: 4149 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Joined: |
Another children's classic is 'The Phantom Tollbooth' by Norton Juster.
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