His dark materials

I haven't time to read all the foregoing comments, but you will not understand the TV version of His Dark Materials unless you read the trilogy of books first. And you may be still baffled by the meaning of Dust at the end of them. You also need to think about parallel worlds and Paradise Lost. It's best to look up literary explanations of this and Philip Pullman. These books captured my imagination 20 years ago at the age of 70 and still do. The idea of a soul companion animal, bird or even reptile which accompanies everyone in Lyra's world, embodies the personality of that person and is inseparable in life and death is a very beguiling one. These are the daemons, not demons. Lyra's world is not the only one which h occurs in the books and includes our own version of Oxford reached by means of the subtle knife in book two.

Just watched it and will watch it a second time. Loved it!

Loved the trilogy and La Belle Sauvage. Next book is on my shelf.

I'm a big fan of fantasy and thoroughly enjoyed Ep.1. Wish there was more on the TV. Excellent production and the daemons were brilliantly done.

Pleased it is being shown at 8:00 . I have 12 year grand-daughter who was so looking forward to it.

What was it that made you feel the books were deeply flawed watermeadow, and in what way?

(This is a genuine question and not intended as something else - they are books my family have loved for years.)

I will look on iPlayer

Worth watching “Imagine” programme on him. Age 12 I was a lot bigger (and more mature) than Lyra seems. (All downhill since then). She convinced me - apart from the eyes....

I think I'd like a bear of some kind.

Lyra is supposed to be 12 apparently, but looked much older.

I have not read the books, but have just watched the first episode. Prepared to switch off after a few minutes, I found it strangely compelling, put my tablet and the newspaper to one side and concentrated on it. I do not pretend to understand it but it really drew me in. I found the 'daemons' fascinating and kept wondering what mine would be or which creature I would like to be mine. Will be following next week.

bigoted militant
as many religions


I can't comment as I haven't read the books
But someone who reads them and then forms an opinion on that basis surely cannot be said to have a closed mind.

If I said that I could understand the accusation as I haven't read the books.

I am interested I all opinions.

Ruth Wilson better than Nicole Kidman for the role. But i imagined Lyra as blue eyed!

I thought it was well done. I loved the books. Thought Ruth Wilson was a great choice for Mrs Coulter she has that knowing enigmatic look. I always turn the trailers off. can't stand them.

My son read the books as an early teen and loved them. Never got round to them myself. Saw the film with boys. We all enjoyed it, including a fairly young son at the time. But it got panned by critics. I’ve recorded bbc version. Can’t say it’s top of my list to watch! But I will give it a go.

“Bigoted” “militant”. Watermeadow is the one using extreme language...

Loislovesstewie

It is said demons .

I know it is now. I watched the prog.

Actually, I think that watermeadow has demonstrated quite clearly that she (or he) does not have a closed mind Marjgran as she/he has read the books, thought about them deeply and rejected Pullman's ideas.

Not being interested in what is in a particular person's mind does not mean that one's own is closed.

Sometimes, avidly following someone else's thoughts could be described as a cult.

Marjgran

closed minds

No, I'm reading about the Dead Sea Scrolls at the moment

Oops Watermeadow

If the Archbishop of Canterbury can cope with it, maybe Watermelon can manage?

Oh goodness some comments demonstrate such closed minds

Interesting watermeadow

He has not really been on my radar, possibly because that genre does not appeal to me and my DGC were too young to be aware of his books.

I read the books and thought them deeply flawed but Philip Pullman has been taken as an expert on all questions concerning children ever since.
I didn’t watch it because I dislike intensely many of the ideas in the books and Philip Pullman himself. His militant atheism is as bigoted as many religions.

“Woke” what a patronising comment! There is room for both French police drama and the wonderful Philip Pullman. I am thrilled to have this series to look forward to..

I saw this at the Southbank Theatre, quite a while ago. It was in two parts. An excellent production. I then read the books and even the follow up, 'Lara's Oxford'. Decided not to ruin my impressions by watching the TV production. I would rather have my happy memories of the theatrical production. It had Anna Maxwell Martin as Lyra, so says how long ago. 2004/5 or thereabouts. This production would take a lot of beating, so giving the BBC version a miss.

Yes - I like it - I saw The Golden Compass film - think it is basically the same. - My Daemon is a very clever hummingbird.