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 enlarge | Author: Philip Pullman
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $60.00
Buy New: $37.20
You Save: $22.80 (38%)
New (30) Used (9) Collectible (1) from $32.85
Avg. Customer Rating:  1079 reviews
Sales Rank: 14745
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 3
Pages: 1312
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4.1
Dimensions (in): 8.7 x 6.1 x 4.3
ISBN: 0375842381
EAN: 9780375842382
ASIN: 0375842381
Publication Date: August 28, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
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| Customer Reviews:
 A new look at the world August 24, 2008
I thought just as a read it was great fun, mostly the first one, I didn't love the second two nearly as much as the golden compass. But they were still a fun read. But as an older reader I love the ideas of man, heaven, and god. When people say that this book is trying to insult religion and/or christianity don't take their word for it. I do not beileve that is what Pullman was trying to do, he wanted to make you think, and give us a new idea of what life and heaven might be, or mean to us. And he never quite says which side is right or wrong. I strongly suggest these books to anyone who likes to think or just a fun and interesting read!
 The Death of Dogma and the Birth of Joy August 18, 2008
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I just finished re-reading Phillip Pullman's astonishing trilogy for the third time. No, I'm not an eager 11-year-old desperate for a Potter substitute. I'm a thirty-two year old English teacher happily immersed in the modern day renaissance that is children's fantasy. Of course, like any renaissance, there are the founding fathers, such as C.S. Lewis. There are the, at times, appallingly bad writers like Stephenie Meyer and there are the highly capable, thrilling storytellers like Madeleine L'engle, Lois Lowry, and J.K. Rowling.
And then there is Phillip Pullman outstripping them all with his spiritually complex, daringly original trilogy, "His Dark Materials."
The great thing about Pullman's series is that it works on two levels. Adult readers (and even academics) will note his ingenious use of literary allusions, scientific theories, history, and various myths and religious beliefs to bring to life not just multiple worlds, but multiple universes. Young readers will appreciate his carefully crafted, highly suspenseful plot, his exciting descriptions of exotic worlds, and his heroic, compelling characters, all of whom must suffer and make difficult choices in a time of great upheaval.
I dare not give any plot details away--the twists and turns are too clever to ruin--but I do want to say a word about Pullman's contribution in terms of fantasy literature for young girls. This series is certainly one that boys will enjoy, chalk full as it is with giant armored bears, action-packed battle sequences, texas ballooners, gyspies, and a young boy, Will, who becomes the second protagonist when he shows up in book two and learns to wield a knife that cuts through the very fabric of the universe.
However, unlike, say, "The Chronicles of Narnia," which demonizes female power, or "The Lord of the Rings," which pushes women to the side, or even "Harry Potter," which, let's face it, is mostly about a young boy's quest, "His Dark Materials" centers on Lyra, a feisty, smooth-talking, brave, highly independent, young, intelligent female protagonist. She absolutely explodes gender expectations and her adventurous, hilariously gutsy spirit leaves you realizing just how few strong female characters we have in fantasy children's (or young adult's) literature. Pullman reverses expectations again with his sympathetic depiction of female witches and with his complex portrayal of Mrs. Coulter, who is neither entirely good nor entirely evil.
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Come with an open mind and you will not be disappointed.
 Disturbing August 16, 2008
6 out of 32 found this review helpful
I purchased this box set after seeing the movie and out of curiousity (to see what the Christian Coalition was up in arms about). Books 1 and 2 were fine but when I got to the 3rd I could not finish it. I am a Protestant and perhaps this will turn some folks off from reading this review - perhaps it won't for others. Pullman is an admitted atheist and has advised he wrote these books to be an antithesis to C.S. Lewis' works - Chronicles of Narnia. Pullman has criticized Lewis' works (and everyone has a right to do so of any work, don't get me wrong).
I was actually offended by the fact that Pullman is using children in the story to further his atheistic agenda. There is brutality against the children by the so-called church in his story, making the church out to be a bunch of crazy, evil people... These children are abused psychologically and killed by these very same people. The main character's father and mother are insane as well - not something I see as virtuous at all. Aside from that, Pullman takes the topic of God further by suggesting He is a deceitful and lying entity(I won't spoil it with a more detailed explaination for you if you so choose to read this literature).
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[...] Very disappointed in this series.
Wonderful! August 11, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I somehow skipped over these books in my adolescence (though I read and enjoyed another series of Pullman books) and I'm SO GLAD that I've finally gotten around to reading them because they are truly amazing. Not only full of adventure and intrigue and many well-sketched characters, but also full of deeper meanings and issues that I might not have picked up on as a child. All three are wonderfully rich and suspenseful and as soon as I finished the first I knew I had to read on through the end. If you haven't read them I would highly recommend it and if you haven't read them since your childhood I would suggest reading through them again. Truly thought-provoking and wonderful.
Good children's fantasy series written for adults August 5, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I would not expect to see this fantasy series on a recommended reading list put out by the Catholic Church. He is clearly not a fan of heroically/autocratic religious organizations.
The book chronicles the actions and adventures of a young girl and her friends against a corrupted, power hungry "church". The characters are well developed and seem "alive" in every sense, including the non-human ones. The book holds together well. There is a lot of action, good dialog, suspense, etc., everything that makes for a good read.
I would have given the series a 5 star rating, but I was not satisfied with the ending, although some may disagree.
All humans in Phillip Pullman' universe have a "daemon" spiritually attached to them, that is a reflection of that humans soul. The daemon can take many shapes when the human is young, but as the human matures into an adult, the daemon takes its permanent form.
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