His dark materials

Pullman is a sort of atheist version of C.S. Lewis.The books are weird and wonderful, my DGS devours them.
I have recorded the series to watch.

BTW I would say that the books are really intended more for young adults that children, although I think that they can be enjoyed by people of all ages but on different levels.

Perhaps I should record the series, read at least one book then try again.

Callistemon, please read the books. I admit that I am besotted by them but I think you will enjoy the stories. They are a good read!

I could buy them for the DGC and have a sneaky read first.

Ooh. Perhaps just buy the first one?

I spent a lot of time when trying to read them trying to decide whether to say "daemons" or pronounce it "demons".

Good idea

Is there a free download on the Kindle?

It is said demons .

I was bored too Fiachna59 and totally and completely baffled, but I saw the film and was utterly underwhelmed by that as well. Why they film these oh so complex fantasies when there are such excellent real life historical stories published every day I will never understand

I really enjoyed it but then I love the books as well. I actually met him last year and he was a very interesting speaker and utterly charming to talk to. One of my granddaughters is called Lyra!

I watched last night - a bit confusing - and will persevere for a couple more episodes to see if I understand it any better.

Not sure yet , I enjoyed the film the Golden Compass but didn’t realise it was against bathe Catholic Church .Not that that bothers me .

Loved the books, and enjoyed the first episode, the story will unfurl.

I went to see the sequel to Stephen King's 'the shining' last night instead and thoroughly enjoyed it. Also quite dark and definitely not aimed at children but oh the nostalgia of being younger, watching the shining through my fingers in fascination and horror.
Nostalgia marketing is huge business, its the adults that spend the money, and we're all tied to things from our younger years. It's how Harry Potter manages to churn over millions of revenue each year still, adults who read them as teens or children have children of their own, and the obsession gets passed down. They've remade ghostbusters, jurassic world game out, they even remade jumanji. Doesn't matter that a lot of the remakes or sequels aren't that good, people will want to see them because that was a part of their younger life.
They don't aim these remakes or continuations of childrens/YA things FOR younger people, not really. Stranger things is full of 80s references and homages to classic films, songs and games from the 80s,it goes totally over children's heads but we remember all that stuff... It's for the now-adults who enjoyed these things. If kids enjoy it too, then bonus.
I won't be watching HDM purely because I didn't like the books or the film!

loved it but I've read the books and seen it in the theatre. Stick with it if you can I'm sure it will become clearer.

I imagine this comes under the fantasy catergory, so not for me. Never watched Game ofThrones either.

I gave up with ‘His Dark Materials’ after the first few minutes. Not my thing at all. The best progs for me at the moment are ‘Guilt’ and ‘Spiral’. Oh, and of course ‘Autumnwatch’. Never miss it.

Well said Alexa. I like Philip Pullman's writing very much - so superior to J K Rowling's efforts. For those new to Pullman I would recommend (as previously mentioned) the 'Imagine' programme which was on BBC4 last night. It's illuminating on Pullman's underlying beliefs (or should I say non-beliefs?) and he comes across as a likeable and honest man.

Gosh Grans! Liberate your inner curiosity! Pullman is a famous author and his works are layered and fascinating, they are not to everyone’s taste I think is true and they are complicated and require investment, they are not “for” children but for any age, timeless, and they are worth persisting with. I am delighted the BBC have invested in filming a classic which (if it is done well) be watched for years to come. If you really want to have an easy way into HDM, Philip Pullman does an audiobook reading the compete trilogy, which is brilliant.

Liked it better than the film, but I've read the books so that helps. I would say - stick with it and put up with feeling slightly mystified; it all becomes clearer later on (especially about what's happening to the missing children). Personally, I wish they'd have cast an actress with a bit more screen presence as Lyra (as with the film, this one seems a bit ordinary considering her character is pivotal to the whole story). Even little Roger lit up the screen more. A pity.

MawB I am sorry so many grans don't appreciate good stories, but there is little I can do about it
What a nasty superior comment I don’t like fantasy stories, in fact I can’t bear them but that doesn’t make me inferior in my reading or viewing than you

Sunday nights on BBC 1 are such a feast for me now: Countryfile; Seven Worlds, One Plant; Strictly; and His Dark Materials. And not an advert in sight! Bliss.

Loved the books. Books always so much better than TV/films.
I thought they did a good job of it though although they will have to miss our so much or it would go on for months.
Read the books.

Lxrl, I went to see Dr Sleep too and did enjoy it but the suspense of The Shining which terrified me was missing for me.
I haven't watched HDM but will probably watch it when it is a box set. It's not that I mind waiting a week for the next instalment, I just get driven demented by the DH asking questions because he can't remember what happened last week. Long live box sets!

Nodded off?