The Amber Spyglass

Philip Pullman

The His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) is one of...more

The His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) is one of the most well-crafted, engaging, and thought-provoking fantasy novels I have read in a very long time. It was a mistake as a child when, after reading the first two, did not read the last one; though at the time, I thought had left off for good reason. In the first book, in a parallel universe is a world that is afraid of a mysterious substance called Dust. The church authorities in this world (called “experimental “theologians”—isn’t that cool?) think that this Dust is related to original sin and want to destroy it. The first two books explain that the Church works for the Authority, or God, who is oppressive and manipulative, and is revealed in the second book to be a really old angel—the first angel who formed out of Dust and tried to convince all the subsequent beings that he created them. At the time I was very uncomfortable with where this was going, and so did not read the last book. Until now. Fast forward to now—not that I’m theologically ok with accusing God of the greatest conspiracy of all Time, but now I am more able to appreciate the brilliance of Phillip Pullman. I just want to touch on a few points where this brilliance literally shine through. The image of “The Fall” was just great—there was a prophesy where Lyra was the next Eve or something and she was going to be temped, another character was told to “play the serpent,” there were a (red) fruit involved—and everything depended on what happened in this garden-like area. The main characters fell in love…..at the end!!! I knew that it was coming, but it came on so gradually, and it was not the main focus until the very end. Well done, though really terrible at the end when they had to be separated, living in two different worlds. Daemons—in Lyra’s world, part of your soul live outside of your body in the form of an animal. I think this is such a neat concept, especially when one character mentions that St. Paul once said something about the body/spirit/soul trichotomy, if you will. In this book it is also interesting the way the Authority dies—he is so old he is encased in crystal casket and when Lyra and Will want to rescue him (they don’t even know that his is the enemy they have been fighting against) he just dissolves into nothing when the open the casket. So ironic I could hardly stand it. It is also of interest that nowhere in this book did it mention the name Jesus—it’s as if he never existed. I guess that made it easier to vilify the Authority—no Jesus, no grace and forgiveness, no compassion. Then it’s easy to have an evil Church. And it’s easy to have Lyra play the savior—freeing the dead from that purgatory-type place, saving the universe from the loss of Dust, and so on. While I am a little disturbed by the implications this book brought forth about organized religion, it still has great merit, I think, and should be read by everyone who likes to think about things from different angles. It may seem openly blasphemous, but underneath, it’s full of examples like extreme self sacrifice (when Lyra and Will agree to close all windows to other worlds) ferocious loyalty (girl/boy, human/daemon friend/friend, bear/human). And love, this story is full of love, and the romantic kind was only highlighted at the last minute. I am now extremely interesting in what they are going to do about the first book The Golden Compass and putting it on film. Where the plot leads, where the books go as far as idea-wise—I can’t really see filmmakers willing to go the whole way and to be completely true to the book, especially in the later books. It seems like it would be way too controversial—they probably have mobs of upset people protesting, like Dan Brown and the Da Vinci Code. I could see them changing the “message” of Pullman. But, I also may be very wrong, and we are going to have one heck of a ride.    hide

As an atheist, I am a bit confused with this whole series. It’s not exactly anti-religious,...more

As an atheist, I am a bit confused with this whole series. It’s not exactly anti-religious, since it definitely trying to echo some religious beliefs in the book which I found ridiculous: angels, souls, land of dead etc. I guess the book is not exactly what I had expected. However, when I read it as a fair tale, I do find myself enjoying the first book, and liking the second book. By the time I reached the third book, the momentum seems slowed down, and the characters are as exhausted as I am. I didn’t like the land of dead part, I found it messy and boring; and is it a bit young for 12 years to be so madly in love? Well, since I came from China where dating under 20 years old is forbidden (at least what’s the policy and culture when I was growing up), maybe I am not good judge about this. That’s all said, the most interesting character to me is Mrs. Coulter. Since she is characterized as such an evil person in the first two books, I found hard to predict her actions or guessing her intentions. When she finally sacrificed herself, I found it very moving. As for Lord Asriel, I don’t quite understand this character. For such an intelligent person who could lead the biggest assault the history has ever seen against the Authority, I found his dislike of his own daughter, and failure to recognize her significance sooner hard to believe. The ending of the book is very disappointing to me. I guess I was expecting much bigger ending than a sad farewell. It seems every buildup and suspense before the end is much too grand for such a mere closing. Over all, I have to say I do like the series despite some disappointments. But I like Lord of the Rings series much, much more.    hide

Pullman manages to wrap up his signature trilogy nicely enough, but I'm afraid that everything felt...more

Pullman manages to wrap up his signature trilogy nicely enough, but I'm afraid that everything felt a little forced. I still love the absolute creativity that goes on with this trilogy, but to make a story perfect one needs better characters and motivations than what is given here. I've always preferred character-driven stories to those that are plot-driven, and these stories prefer to preach philopshy rather than develop their characters. But do not doubt the power of imagination. It is clear that Pullman spent a lot of time making this plot. It's astounding and breathtaking. Sadly, though, it's pretty much useful for preaching Pullman's atheistic beliefs. He makes a lot of great points, but I can see why these books are so controversial--frankly, they're a little unfair to far too many belief systems. And I guess I have some spite against children's books that are written for the sole purpose of forcing people to believe something. Creative and thought-provoking, but I still have yet to care much for any of the characters. They're just so flat, pretty much there just to keep this story going so a few ideas of philosophy can be preached to the world. I suppose I should feel bitter about that, and I actually do, a little bit. But wow, this is creativity up the wazoo, and I guess I can't complain much about that. I just wish Pullman had cared more about his characters and less about his beliefs. Too much story and character is forced and sacrificed for those beliefs, and frankly it's annoying.   hide

~Really powerful~ So much of the first and second book foreshadowed the third book, so if Philip...more

~Really powerful~ So much of the first and second book foreshadowed the third book, so if Philip Pullman did not pull it off right, then he would have made a real let down of a closure. However, with his great writing skills and able storytelling, he keeps the reader's rapt attention. This book does not have to introduce any major new character from the beginning, so the action just runs throughout the whole story and takes you right along with it. I was amazed at the connection that I felt with the characters, but especially near the last moments of the book. I really love books when I feel I can relate to them, and this book has something for everyone to connect to. It is one, if not the best ending book of a trilogy, I am pretty sure he is not writing another, that I know of. I highly recommend this whole series. However, if you have read the second I can only say this. Read on, read on. (07/16/03)   hide

This book has the awkward task, like so many fantasy epics, of tying up all of the loose ends...more

This book has the awkward task, like so many fantasy epics, of tying up all of the loose ends generated by all the books before it. LOTR did it, HP did it, and this one does it as well. However, these moments of awkwardness do not take away from the brilliance of the series in any way. The book and the series are amazing, thought-provoking, and well worth the time. English majors, fans of "Paradise Lost" and William Blake buffs are going to love reading this, putting together what Pullman has done, and comparing what he has changed from the "established" story and what he hasn't. Never thought I'd say this, but growing up Catholic broadened my reading of the books as well :). Who knew. An interesting point, speaking of Catholicism -- Nicole Kidman, a devout Catholic (wonder what she did married all those years to Tom Cruise) says that she could not be a part of the upcoming movies if she thought the books were in any way anti-Catholic. I don't think the books are anti-Catholic at all, at least not in the way I conceive of Catholicism, but if you're on my friends list and you're reading this I'd be interested to hear what you think! All thoughts aside, this is an incredible book and a much better written series than HP.    hide