Philip Pullman is one of the most commercially and critically
successful British authors of the past decade. With a writing
career extending back to the early 1970s, Pullman's great
achievement has been in the publication of the "His Dark Materials"
trilogy: "Northern Lights" (1995; US title "The Golden Compass"),
"The Subtle Knife" (1997) and "The Amber Spyglass" (2000). With
these novels, which have appealed equally to children and to
adults, Pullman has carved a space for himself as a writer of moral
seriousness, imaginative depth and storytelling virtuosity. Claire
Squires' book is the first comprehensive and authoritative study of
this great writer. The focus is on Pullman's central achievement
with "His Dark Materials", but it also considers his entire oeuvre.
Importantly, the book informs readers about the contexts, sources
and influences behind the trilogy, and examines the controversies
and debates that have surrounded the trilogy and its creator, since
its publication. 'Claire Squires investigates and clarifies many
perplexing ambiguities in Pullman's trilogies. The wealth of
information makes this an important source book for Pullman's
readers. Especially valuable is her incisive selection of comments
from Pullman himself, drawn from interviews and other informal
writings, which open exciting dimensions for interpretation of the
trilogy. Encyclopedic in its range, the book stretches from factual
detail to an overview of theoretical analysis, includes significant
biographical and bibliographical materials, and even explores
adaptations of the trilogy into other media. Highly readable, and
impressive in its extensive scope and detail, this book is a "must
have" for all Pullman enthusiasts.' - Dr. Carole Scott, editor of
"His Dark Materials Illuminated: Critical Essays on Philip
Pullman's Trilogy". 'It has been 10 years since "The Golden
Compass" (Knopf, 1996) first appeared in the United States.
Embraced by critics and readers alike, the book grew into a trilogy
known as "His Dark Materials," which placed Pullman in the
forefront of a rising tide of hefty fantasy cycles, just ahead of
the "Harry Potter" series. Squires covers every aspect of the
Pullman phenomenon, examining the success of the series from many
angles -characterization, theme, setting, and storytelling skill -
as well as adaptations to stage and screen. Of particular interest
is her chapter on "Intertextuality," which discusses literary
influences on Pullman's writing, both his acknowledged references
to Milton and Blake and the connections critics have noted to
writers of folktale, fantasy, and science fiction. Squires does not
shy away from the controversy that Pullman's themes have stirred
up-his apparent diatribe against religion in the form of "the
Authority" and the Magisterium, and the ending of the trilogy in
which Lyra and Will must part ways forever - and she refers to many
direct quotes from Pullman himself as well as commentators on the
series. A chapter on the author's other writing (which includes
historical fiction, fantasy, adventure, and contemporary fiction as
well as adult novels) and an extensive bibliography of books and
articles about his work round out this accessible study.' - "School
Library Journal" Connie C. Rockman, Stratford Library Association,
CT Copyright [copyright] Reed Business Information, a division of
Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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