“I don't think that Pullman is against any religion or religious beliefs; I think he is against people who follow blindly without asking questions and religious institutions that abuse their power. I love the books specifically because they take a much different approach to fantasy than Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and others: he questions our systems of belief while infusing the story with spirituality and faith. I like, especially, that instead of pitting "good guy" against "bad guy" he argues that everyone is capable of what we call good and bad actions, and that no one can be seen as good or evil alone. I think that is something that too few of us truly understand.”
“I find it interesting that Christin (coincidence?) interprets these books as inti-Christian. I am through the second book and ready to start the 3rd and definitely get that the author is against organized religion. I am agnostic, but raised Catholic, and had heard these books were anti-Catholic. But I don't get that alone. He doesn't call out any religion specifically, and it seems as though readers may take away perceived blame in the same measure they personally perceive guilt. Pullman strikes me as spiritual but not religious, philosophical but not dogmatic.....maybe there is material in the 3rd book that will chanfge my mind...”
“I enjoyed the first novel, A Golden Compass. I found the characters very interesting and in depth, the world was fascinating, if not a bit dark, and the adventure well told. However, as I read the second and third novels, the author's bitterness against Christianity began to get too tedious for me, and I lost interest in the series before I finished the last book. Pullman comes off as a jaded, ranting atheist rather than an intelligent and critical religious commentator to me. This series had the potential to be a lovely antithesis to some of The Chronicles of Narnia, if it had been written with less emotional resentment.”
“It broke my back carrying it around school but totally worth it!!!”
“Whats ur opinion on Mrs. Coulter? Shes creepy but not.”
“I 100% agree with what evie v says about this book. It is creative, imaginative and it will grab you emotionally. It was a gift for my 10 year old which I started to read out of boredom, she had to wait until I finished before she could begin to read her own present!”
“i loved the series but i was a bit disappointed with the abrupt ending of the series ............................. and the religion thing it was just taken as an idea, but it was still fiction, neither he did want to hurt anyone's sentiments, nor did he want the magesterium to represent his ideas of the church............so please its a wonderful series and take it as the author, phillip, wants you to take it.”
“Engrossing stories! read the first in Children's Lit class in Uni, immediately checked out the last two even though they weren't on the syllabus. The movie was utter balls though.”
“I loved this book! It will forever be one of my favorites for its daring originality. The author's style of writing, filled with a rich, colorful narrative and lovable, interesting characters, made this book an exciting journey and a pleasure to read. I flew through the pages and cried at the end because I felt like I was saying goodbye to dear friends. Ignore the controversy surrounding these stories and enjoy it for the thrilling, original fiction that it is. Definitely for adults and children alike. I hope you enjoy it! ”
“i just finished the 1st book and i'm half way into the 2nd.. now i know why they called it the anti-narnia book ^_^”
