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May. 23rd, 2007 04:21 pmI just finished reading through the His Dark Materials trilogy.
These books are - well, amazing, to say it in as few words as possible. There are times when I wished that the situation was just a bit less detached, but there were also times when the vivid descriptions did more for me than any watered-down movie could do. The movie, from what I've heard, is not going to make 'sweeping' references to the religious themes presented in the books.
But how?
The magic of these novels is that they're so utterly audacious. The simple fact that they openly criticize religion (esp. the Christian doctrine) in what could be arguably noted a children's novel is already enough to anger many. And those who think Harry Potter is a devil's tale? They obviously haven't gotten their hands on this literary masterpiece. By the way, the writing style appealed to me far more than Harry Potter ever did. Calling it a children's book, too, turns some heads.
I personally disagree with this label. Much like the later Harry Potter books, these books delve into topics simply far beyond a child's level of interest. (And for the His Dark Materials trilogy, even more so.) The main characters are children, true, but they're growing to be adults; their sexual maturation is what ultimately leads to victory. The highest representatives of the Church undoubtedly, and in effect, snatch children off of the streets to kill them in a misguided attempt to wipe the world of original sin. An (armoured bear) comrade eats his deceased dear friend's corpse as nourishment and as an honour to the fallen man - it's described very matter-of-factly, and I'm sure it would do nothing but shock small children. Children seem to be what the movie is being marketed at, really. And it's a shame. It deserves more. Our conservative society is far more conservative than people think on a daily basis.
So - I will probably not go to see the movie. But I do encourage anyone who has a liking of fantasy and an open mind to read these three novels, because they're brilliant and beautiful.
Mrs. Coulter + redemption.
These books are - well, amazing, to say it in as few words as possible. There are times when I wished that the situation was just a bit less detached, but there were also times when the vivid descriptions did more for me than any watered-down movie could do. The movie, from what I've heard, is not going to make 'sweeping' references to the religious themes presented in the books.
But how?
The magic of these novels is that they're so utterly audacious. The simple fact that they openly criticize religion (esp. the Christian doctrine) in what could be arguably noted a children's novel is already enough to anger many. And those who think Harry Potter is a devil's tale? They obviously haven't gotten their hands on this literary masterpiece. By the way, the writing style appealed to me far more than Harry Potter ever did. Calling it a children's book, too, turns some heads.
I personally disagree with this label. Much like the later Harry Potter books, these books delve into topics simply far beyond a child's level of interest. (And for the His Dark Materials trilogy, even more so.) The main characters are children, true, but they're growing to be adults; their sexual maturation is what ultimately leads to victory. The highest representatives of the Church undoubtedly, and in effect, snatch children off of the streets to kill them in a misguided attempt to wipe the world of original sin. An (armoured bear) comrade eats his deceased dear friend's corpse as nourishment and as an honour to the fallen man - it's described very matter-of-factly, and I'm sure it would do nothing but shock small children. Children seem to be what the movie is being marketed at, really. And it's a shame. It deserves more. Our conservative society is far more conservative than people think on a daily basis.
So - I will probably not go to see the movie. But I do encourage anyone who has a liking of fantasy and an open mind to read these three novels, because they're brilliant and beautiful.
Mrs. Coulter + redemption.