His dark materials

I did not like the book - and am not into this sort of fantasy stuff - so I did not watch. I know my OH was glued to it in his NH. Right up his street.

I have all read all the books in the HDM trilogy and thoroughly enjoyed them. I’ve recorded the BBC1 drama, but not watched the first episode yet - am looking forward to it. I agree LulluDully - Golden Compass film was a disappointment.

I thought it was well done: deeper than H Potter, although they were good.

I enjoyed it. It's something different to watch and the animation is superb.

All my children read the Pullman HDM trilogy and the discussions around them in our house were wide and varied. The links with Paradise Lost and Blake were not “lost” on us and led to one of our daughters seeking out Milton (we are already Blake “fans”).

I don’t think we really read them as total fantasy in our house. Maybe they are, but they strike me as on the edge of fantasy, where worlds collide. There is a distinct blurring of lines, but in my mind, so much is possible that I feel they are real!

Unlike the Potter books (which I confess I found tedious and not well written), Pullman writes with a depth and richness rarely found in novels suitable for children. He does not patronise them as HP does, with limited vocabulary, instead he encourages the reader to grow by choosing his words so carefully that they have enough to conjure a world in their own imagination even if some words are more difficult than others.

For those of us brought up as Christians I think the religious and theological parallels are impossible to ignore as they challenge and question, but I’d expect the first trilogy to read well irrespective of religion, as they can be taken simply at face value.

We found, and it’s safe to say all seven of us loved these books and returned to them, they satisfied the thirst for adventure by total immersion, and they remain today amongst our favourite novels.

So please don’t dismiss His Dark Materials based on other media. They are so wonderfully crafted that they are a joy to read.

PS - have seen the trailer but not the TV drama. I was SO put off by the trailer that I couldn’t watch it. Today I had a message from one of my daughters. She hadn’t watched it either, because of the trailer.

The DH and I watched 'His Dark Materials' when it was broadcast on Sunday night and, afterwards, as it was only nine o'clock, the French detective series, 'Spiral' on catch up.

What stood out is that the BBC is treating the population to PC, 'woke', kidult, 'diverse', dramatised fiction and the French are treating their audience as grownups.

Not my cup of tea. Managed to read the books but with someone else's imagination calling the shots....no. Just not worth the effort and I prefer a more fun type of escapism. To the Chateau.....?

I really really hope HBO does agree to part fund a third series to adapt The Amber Spyglass.

Although I didn't really take to the books I've always loved the idea of daemons and often wonder, when I meet people, what their daemon would be. And, in this post truth age perhaps we really do need a golden compass! There's something of Gormenghast in HDM's which I quite like. I agree; the Imagine programme on BBC4 was excellent.

I watched it and was a bit baffled but my OH who has read the books gave me some helpful explanations and, after I had watched the BBC4 programme I found myself quite interested in following the story and the thinking behind it. I will be watching the series as I was very impressed by the interview with Pullman. It was unexpected to see Rowan Williamson' s sympathetic view of Pullman's standpoint and put into perspective the slightly rabid reactions of some Catholic organisations.

Williams!

Lilyflower - very patronising review of Dark Materials, accusing the BBC of being woke, kidult, diverse in comparison with a French detective thing.

I prefer Not Spaghetti's take on Dark Materials, I would because it chimes with my own. Love the books and this series made a good start. The animation of the daemons especially.

Well I thought it was only me couldn’t get into it and couldn’t get my head around it! Hubby liked it but I think even he had a job keeping up!

Personally I don't watch or read sci-fi, but Philip Pullman creates magical worlds, which are complex, but aren't really similar to Harry Potter. I thought it was perfectly placed at 8pm for parental watching with older children, and generating discussion. In eight parts, it's not going to be clear after one hour, and I'd encourage some posters to hang in next week.
My moans were that I didn't like the lengthy trailer, and thought Lyra was a bit too old. But I loved it, no surprise as I love the trilogy. My DD, not having read the books, enjoyed it too. It was nice to have something on TV that I actually had to stop what I was doing and concentrate on. I assume BBC and HBO will be selling it round the world.

OK, so my daemon is a grizzly bear. What is yours?

Such diverse views but some are so dismissive.
Pullman can't be written off as 'just sci-fi' - a genre that normally doesn't appeal to me.
Neither is it 'for children' and it certainly won't appeal to the prosaic who'd rather watch a factual historical account than stretch their imagination!!

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

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.

“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 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.

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.

Oh goodness some comments demonstrate such closed minds

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

Oops Watermeadow

Marjgran

closed minds

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