Saturday, May 05, 2007

Golden Compass [HDM] catch-up for noobs

Okay. I can't remember how I found Philip Pullman -- either through Jillian [whence all good things cometh] or, a strange-but-strong memory of a cute boy reading the first book in a Starbucks, and me subsequently finding it on Audible.com...and falling deeply in love. Maybe both.

The trilogy is called "His Dark Materials". The books are, in order:
- The Golden Compass
- The Subtle Knife
- The Amber Spyglass

It should go without saying that you must read them in order. But I say it anyway, just in case.

Anyway, it's like this. Philip Pullman is an amazing writer. Dare I say that he makes Rowling look like a hack [and I love Ms Rowling. so you see what I'm saying]? He weaves worlds beyond any I've ever immersed myself in and by the time I was done listening to the trilogy, I had physical withdrawal symptoms. I ached to hear more.

Reading the books may be enjoyable, but I encourage you to LISTEN TO THEM. Because unlike most audio books, this trilogy is treated as an audio play. Pullman himself reads the narration, and is perfection. No one could have read it better. And each of the parts is played by a different actor. I can still hear Iorek's voice in my head!

[is it bad that I want an Armoured Bear of my own?]

I think it's very possible that, when the movie comes out, I may be a little let down, because my listening experience with the trilogy was so exquisitely perfect. But I think Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel will help ease my pain somewhat. :-)

Also, how come there are no flights to Svalbard from here?

Labels:

posted by amy [Knitty] @ 10:32 AM 22 comments

Comments:
I loves the books. Pullman is an amazing writer with an incredible imagination! The ending was really disappointing to me, though. Anti-climactic. Maybe I just wanted it to go on and on and on. *sigh* Have you read any of Terry Goodkind's books? Much darker, but the world he created is just stunning, as is the social commentary.
# posted by Blogger Romi : 11:06 AM, May 05, 2007
 
OK, Amy, this is getting a little weird. First, you were in Deerfield when I moved back to Wilmette. And now you've discovered His Dark Materials. I haven't listened to them, but I read them all a few years back and loved them. Daniel Craig as Lord Asriel?!? Oh, my. I plan to enjoy the movie for what it is, just as with the HP movies.
# posted by Blogger Kathleen : 11:19 AM, May 05, 2007
 
Amy, Are you secretly my ex-boyfriend?

You sound just like him talking about the books and then sending me the audiobooks. And they are truly amazing.

All I have to say is that the first time I read The Golden Compass I enjoyed it so much until I got to the end. When it ended so abruptly I threw it against the wall and refused to reread it until many years later when the sequel came out. Whew. That was some of my worst anger against a book.

When I read them, I didn't imagine Pan's voice so squeaky but then again I have no idea what he sounds like in my head. I can't wait to see the movie and I hope it is just as amazing as the books and the audiobooks.
# posted by Blogger Thursday : 11:26 AM, May 05, 2007
 
Thank you me dear!
# posted by Blogger Tracy : 11:35 AM, May 05, 2007
 
I have The Golden Compass on my bookshelf; I have tried to read it several times but for some reason couldn't get into it -- a fact that has bothered me. Thankyouthankyouthankyou for reminding me about that audio option. I didn't even finish your post before opening another tab and clicking over to audible.com. Compass and Subtle Knife are downloading as I type. I've been a subscriber to audible.com almost since it began and I'm starting to have a little trouble finding things I really want to listen to, so your recommendation helped out a lot. Thanks again.

In an effort to return the favor: have you read or listened to The Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin (A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows)? Never mind the overly clever titles; he creates such fully-fleshed-out and three-dimensional characters and wonderful intrigues in his fantasy world that one becomes totally involved. Volume 5 should not be too far in the future, so there is more to look forward to if you enjoy the series.
# posted by Anonymous kmkat : 12:08 PM, May 05, 2007
 
I love His Dark Material so very much - especially the audio books. I want Pullman to read me a bedtime story every night :) And I agree with you about Rowling...I love HP but His Dark Materials are faw & away better.

I'm trying so hard to not be excited about the movie...because it will never live up to my vision of it, like the Harry Potter books fail to every time.

Nice to see someone else as obsessed with the books as I am :)
# posted by Blogger Stacey : 12:17 PM, May 05, 2007
 
I loved this series too!
I should get it in audio so I can listen while I knit.
# posted by Blogger May : 2:06 PM, May 05, 2007
 
I remember I told you about the trilogy during the CBCF walk in October 2005, which was shortly after I'd finished reading them.

Yes, I am scarily precise.
# posted by Blogger Paladin : 3:31 PM, May 05, 2007
 
I absolutely loved those books. But I didn't think anyone else had read them, anyone I know anyway. They all kind of shake their head and say "It's that weird sci-fi stuff again". They all like real crime stories, yuck. I must listen to them on audiobook. I can listen while I knit.
# posted by Blogger Firesong : 5:37 PM, May 05, 2007
 
Thanks for the suggestion on these audio books. I commute on the train and listen while I knit all the time and love to have a lead on something new.

Cheers!
# posted by Blogger Kris : 5:58 PM, May 05, 2007
 
Fine, like I didn't have enough to read, now I'll have to go out and get these!
Daniel Craig can ease a multitude of pains - lol.
# posted by Blogger Wannietta : 7:53 PM, May 05, 2007
 
I admit it, i bought the first book right when it hit paperback because of the polar bear on the cover. OMG that was the awesomest book EVER! I couldn't believe how long it took for the second book to come out! I had practically forgotten about #1, that's how long it was.

Thank you Amy for letting us know about the movie, I'm all a-twitter!
# posted by Blogger Kate : 1:11 PM, May 06, 2007
 
I read these books ages ago (10, 12 years? Not sure... maybe when they came out?) and was thrilled to be able to see the stage play presented at the Royal National Theatre in London 2 years ago. Fantastic, fabulous, wonderful. Amazingly incredible. The puppetry was spectacular.

I fear I will be nothing but disappointed in the movie, but of course I will see it anyway.
# posted by Anonymous Abigail B : 12:10 PM, May 07, 2007
 
They are soooo good!
# posted by Anonymous AnnaA : 3:28 PM, May 08, 2007
 
I have not read these, but they look really interesting. And if this many people are commenting that they love them I'm sure they're good!

*wanders off to do a Borders inventory search...
# posted by Blogger Sunidesus : 6:57 PM, May 08, 2007
 
When I am asked to recommend a good book on CD, I first think of the Pullman series-- I LOVE them. I'm always trying to get people to listen to them.

Sincerely,
one of about a million librarian/knitters
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 3:58 PM, May 09, 2007
 
Love the Pullman series, though I disagree w/the US Publisher(s) & bookstores sticking it in the children's section. Missed it for years because of that.
# posted by Blogger Stilaholic Nartian knits : 4:38 PM, May 09, 2007
 
Hmmm. I think I am about to be pilloried, but here goes. I had heard good things about the His Dark Materials trilogy and so I read them. Every word. Because I thought, surely these characters are going to develop and stop being just two dimensional cutouts we each can project outselves into. But they didn't. Gotta say, Mr. Pullman seems to be kinda pretentious to me, and although he has interesting ideas, I don't think he could make a character come alive if his career depended on it. OTOH, this is perfect material for a film since good actors can fill in those outlines with some amgibuity and reality, and then they could come alive. I am not a book snob, but these just didn't work for me.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 9:23 AM, May 10, 2007
 
His Dark Materials are fantastic books that I read in 2001 and they are still in my head. Now I have to get the audio version - I'm usually disappointed with audio books but your recommendation sounds like they did it right.
I don't compare movies and books - they are different mediums and can only be taken for what they are. I can't wait to see Daniel Craig again...yum!
# posted by Blogger Deeda : 9:06 PM, May 10, 2007
 
Amy, I read the first of the trilogy nine years ago, and shortly after bought the other two. They are unlike anything I've ever read. I'm so nervous about the movie, though, I'm worried that the creatures will become silly and that would be SO WRONG! Daniel Craig, though, yes. I'm right three with you. I'd watch him fold a napkin!
# posted by Anonymous Kathy : 10:54 AM, May 11, 2007
 
Audio is the way to go. I've only heard his books on tape. The actors really bring the story alive.

Still haven't read the books, even though I have the first one.

And what does it say that the only non-knitting books that really engaged me recently are Harry Potter and His Dark Materials?
# posted by Blogger Red : 6:21 PM, May 21, 2007
 
I love fantasy, and I am quite the avid reader. Normally I get into books right away and read the whole thing in practically one sitting. But I cannot for the life of me get into Golden Compass. I'm on the fourth chapter, and I'm putting it down practically every few pages. I just don't care about these characters. At all. I don't care that the kids are being kidnapped, I don't care about going to the North.

I agree with the poster who said that Pullman is pretentious. I can't stand when authors, in the middle of normal sentences, decide to use a word like "chocolatel." Or "brandywijn." Don't try to be clever.

Anyway, that aggravates me.

I've also never put a book down halfway through (except Three Muskateers, trust me, it's boring.) Maybe I'll try audio. I like to listen to books when I go for runs.
# posted by Blogger bjork hater : 12:44 AM, September 06, 2007
 
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