If you would like to read the first part of this discussion, click here. As I said I would, I recently finished reading the first book in the series His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman. The movie version of The Golden Compass will be released in U.S. theaters this coming Friday. I’m going to see it sometime in the next few weeks. I’ve already begun reading book 2, The Subtle Knife. My plan is to give a short review (yes, I’m capable of that) as I finish each one.
I was going to give a synopsis of the book, but you can read that for yourself at a number of places on the web. Google is an amazing thing. I think what you really want to know, if you’re a friend or were part of the previous discussion here, is whether or not I give the book a thumbs up or down and why. So here’s my answer with an explanation based on my reading of the first book in the trilogy.
I give the first book a thumbs up…for teens or older. In my opinion, this book is not for children. Where I don’t believe this book is the evil thing many Christians are making it out to be, I do think there are too many dark elements to the story that could be damaging to little minds not ready to be challenged in that way. It is clearly fantasy fiction and I don’t think it is teaching young kids to be atheists. My children are simply too young to read it. The language alone would be difficult for kids to comprehend. What child do you know that uses words like “sardonic” or would know what “Tokay” is? Yes, mine are way too young. That is my call as their parent. When they are older and ready to have real and serious discussions about the subjects raised in this book, maybe we’ll read it together and discuss it. I’m all for that. Until then I will have to endure their disappointment and comments about how cool the movie trailer looks and how badly they want to see it. We’ve already done that for Harry Potter, so they should be used to it by now. Age appropriateness is important to me, as well as content. It’s more important than any marketing campaign trying to win people over to one side or another. One Amazon.com reviewer spoke it eloquently when they said, “Nothing will shape a child’s philosophy more strongly than their upbringing.”
So here are my thoughts on what I liked:
The concept of the daemon. Though I don’t like the word he chose, it’s probably fitting in the “companion” sense. I find it intriguing that in this story, every human has an animal version of themselves as a constant companion. The daemon represents characteristics of the person it is attached to. It can change shapes until the person (child) reaches puberty then takes on a single form. You can tell a lot about a person based solely on their daemon. For example, Asriel’s daemon is a snow leopard -attractive, powerful, confident, strong, and and a little dangerous -just like Asriel himself. It reminds me of growing up and trying to figure out who I was and what parts of me I wanted to develop and what parts I wanted to forget about, or change. Don’t I still do that? When I was young I was less sure of myself and more willing to reinvent myself than I am now as an adult and a little set in my ways. For all of you wondering, the daemons in the book are not the same as demons in the Bible.
The alethiometer. How cool would it be to have a device that tells you the truth about the past and the future, about people and their intentions, and about yourself? The mystery surrounding why Lyra has the alethiometer and what course it will bring about in her life is half of why I liked this book. There are layers upon layers of meanings and the fact that Lyra learns to understand it when most of the adults in her world won’t even try without the owner’s manual, is intriguing to me. Again, it reminds me how as a child I was willing to believe, try, and work at something with a lot more determination than I have now. That seems backwards, but it’s true. The “golden compass” works by “dust” which is the conciousness, and culminated experiences of a person, which could explain why there is more on adults than on children. It’s quite the mystery. I think the original sin mentioned so often by critics in regards to this dust could be compared to the point at which Adam and Eve realized they were naked and clothed themselves. Not the actual sin of disobeying God as mentioned in the Bible’s creation story.
Though many of the adults in this story were out to get Lyra for their own personal gain, there were equally as many out to help her on her journey. My first favorite ones, the Gyptians, displayed so well the concept of family. I also liked the intertwining of different clans and species all centered on rescuing missing children and aiding Lyra the best they could with her own mission. I thought there were good lessons on teaching kids discernment in learning who you can and can’t trust. Not everyone who says they’re your friend is, and not everyone you fear is your enemy.
Second chances. I loved that Lyra reminds Iorek who he is deep down and who he was meant to be. She provides him with a way out of his current circumstances and a return to his true life, and in return gains a loyal friend which comes in VERY handy later on in the story.
The message of believing in something bigger than yourself and playing your part, completing your role in it all through difficulties, betrayals, and other setbacks and pains.
The distrust of a corrupt organization who was power-hungry and ignorant of some of the happenings under their own direction and control. They sought to manipulate and destroy all who believed differently than they did. I don’t believe it was representative of Christianity as we know it today, but of a corrupt church from ages past. Regardless of the author’s personal beliefs, I didn’t find that it was a church-bashing fest and a railing against religion in general.
What I disliked:
Some of the subject matter. I have a hard time with a story line about children being abducted for horrible, painful experiments. Many of those who were targeted for abduction were poor and thought to be “not as missed” from society. Who would miss a street kid, right? Despite their own involvement in these experiments, Lyra’s “parents” are horrified when they realize she has somehow become part of the target audience. There’s a double standard that it is o.k. for certain children, but certainly not their own.
Parents who are deceitful and would use their children for their own gain. Parents who are abusive and neglectful and don’t know how to parent at all. The flip side being that having parents like this isn’t the end of the world. Though it leads to great confusion and heartache, there are those who will love you and pull you through, teaching you the lessons your parents couldn’t or wouldn’t teach you themselves.
Lyra’s most useful skill is lying. With her parents being who they are, it’s no wonder she’s so good at it. It gets her out of many scrapes, and even saves her life. I just didn’t like it being offered as a useful trait and a good and safe option.
The misuse of power by the “church”, which I’ve already stated is not representative of Christianity in general as we know it today, although there may be churches out there like that. I don’t know. I think one of the best descriptions of the church in the book was given by my friend Deb when she said, “…the church in the books has almost nothing to distinguish it from the illustrious history of the Roman Catholic Church. Note that I didn’t say Christianity. My mental image of The Church of the books was oh.. the Catholic Church (governing body, not the ordinary average person) during the life of Galileo…it does bring into conversation religious issues. For those of you who are Christian, this series *might* be a useful one with older children, to read and talk about religion. Things like- what is the simple message of Christ? Do the religious leaders in the books exemplify that? In the real world, can you think of people or groups of people who are examples of Christ’s message, and ones who are like the Church in Pullman’s books?” To read the rest of her comment, please refer to the previous post.
Overall, I thought this was a good fantasy story filled with people and creatures working together on opposing sides: good vs. evil. It’s an age old theme and this story kept tipping the scale back and forth as to who was winning the battle. Which brings me back to the movie. I’m going to go see it even though I’ll probably be disappointed with it since I’ve read the book. The movie has a PG-13 rating, and though I sometimes doubt our current rating system, in this case I agree with it.
I will post my thoughts on the movie and the other two books after I’ve experienced them. In the meantime, let’s hear your thoughts…
The Daemon has been a part of fantasy and mythology far before any modern Judeo-Christian concept of demon. In most ancient literature the Daemon represented the “spiritual self” that external force that bears influence. In some Greek literature the Daemon is physically manifested, while in others it would be more akin to our own language about the spirit.
It was Plato, 350 years before Christ, who made the ancient Daemon devolve into the modern concept of a “demon.” His philosophical influence on the vernacular of koine greek made it’s connotations perfect for the reality of dark spiritual beings.
However, despite Plato’s efforts Daemons have persevered as heroes of fantasy literature. Interestingly, they are present in the fantasy of ancient western, Norse, Slavic, Native American, and Mongol culture. Modern fantasy story telling often implores a variation on the daemon like Bartok in Anastasia, Iago in Alladin, or Meeko in Pocahontas.
I have plenty more to say on this issue, but will stop there since I am at work and have taken way to long waxing intellectual on your blog. Me and my soap box are going home now! We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
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I really appreciate Kevin’s fine scholarship on this. It opens up my eyes to the contexts in which I’ve seen it in fantasy literature and video games I’ve played (anyone ever read the DOS command lines for Doom back in the day?).
I really struggle to even attempt to villify Mr. Pullman. I feel sorry for the dude. He seems like a really intelligent guy who had faith beaten out of him by force (I’ve seen that in friends that I have).
I may have to pick up this series of books now. As always, good job on the research, Niki.
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Cool reveiw. See? If people would just read the books before they send out scorching emails, they can talk intelligently about the pros and cons of said story, instead of ‘lets burn the monster’ fear fest.
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Thanks Niki. I see you have some really good grasps of the relationships between reality and fantasy going on here.
Two key words there: Reality……and fantasy. Sometimes the two mirror or mimic one another…and sometimes they bear no relationship or resemblance whatsoever.
Back to what I said in my original response to your original post: learning to distinguish real from imaginary….and understand the concepts, theories, ideology, and imagination….is what makes life rich. If we call a stapler something more terrifying does it change it’s actual purpose? There are far too many words that carry far more power than they should, and we, as a species and a society….assign that.
Good Job, Nik. Hugs and all that jazz too. 🙂
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Thanks for the overview on the books. I am actually going to go see this movie on Friday night so I will let you know my take on it. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to read them and post here.
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Hi ya Niki, thanks for stopping by my site.
Just thought I’d post a quote from Philip Pullman. I added the link to the 2003 interview at the end of the “Compass” post on my site. Here it is:
“I’ve been surprised by how little criticism I’ve got. Harry Potter’s been taking all the flak. I’m a great fan of J.K. Rowling, but the people – mainly from America’s Bible Belt – who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven’t got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I’ve been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God.”
I’d love to hear your thoughts by the time you get to the end of the third book. To paraphrase what I’ve read about the books “the Fall of Adam and Eve into sin is celebrated as the defining moment of mankind, rather than the source of all worldly evil.”
Yes, this book is a story, a fantasy, but one that celebrates sin as something good or “free choice”. It is true that God give us free will, but there are consequences to choosing what is wrong. Our loving God tells in the Bible what is right and what is wrong. It is His love letter to us. He doesn’t want us to get hurt. He wants us to choose what is right. We are all sinners that need to be saved by God’s grace through the what Jesus Christ did at the cross.
My hope and prayer is with this movie discussion, that people will ultimately look to God, the source of all truth and search His Word, the Bible as the source of all authority for the final answer.
Sincerely,
Susan
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I think the ideas of transformation and redemption are quite appropriate to consider in figuring out what to do and how to respond to movies, books, etc. We don’t always fulfill our intent in the way we live our lives — we mess up, whether intentionally or accidentally. Either way, we are offered redemption and transformation; likewise, I think it’s crucial to live with those expectations in all circumstances. Even if something is intended for evil or as evil, it can be redeemed and/or transformed, depending on how we approach and/or react to it. Finding good from something doesn’t mean you endorse it, something you’ve highlighted very well, Niki. It also doesn’t mean everything about it is favorable. But too many babies have been thrown out with the bath water — and who really wants to treat babies like that?
Though the following is easy to write, it seems more and more tome where the difficulty of living is found: Watching the movie, not of the movie. In the theater, not of the theater. In the book, not of the book. In the world, not of the world.
Thanks for your thoughts and posts. I’ll let you know how the weekend in Nashville goes. 🙂
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Susan also left me a comment on her blog. Here is my response over there:
Thanks for the kind response Susan. I do know the post on Jan’s blog you’re talking about.
I appreciate you checking into this subject yourself. You certainly have the right and obligation to take a stand for what you believe is right. I’m working out my salvation with fear and trembling just like you are. I take things to the Lord as well.
There are some things regarding what might be coming in books 2 and 3 that concern me, but I’m still going to read them for myself and then make a judgment call.
As for the interview. I do not deny anything Mr. Pullman has said, but in light of all the interviews, articles, and websites I’ve read, I’m trying to take it all in context. I had read the 2003 interview before and was surprised at how much of the interviewer’s opinions were taken by others as being the opinions or words/thoughts of the author. It was my least favorite of all the interviews I read. I disagree with the interviewer’s ideas of the book as well. He seemed more interested in giving his take on everything rather than asking Pullman more about his work. Also, 4 years have passed and Pullman has said no such thing in any other place – as far as I can find- since that interview. It’s curious that this thought was not dwelt upon or explained at all. I wonder what else was said because surely the conversation didn’t end there. Other interviews did a much better job getting him to explain why he is agnostic/atheistic. I hold out hope that he will RETURN to Truth. He was raised to be a believer.
What did I think was misleading? Things being said about “this and that” being in the book that aren’t actually in the book. You’ve probably already read this on my blog, but I’ll restate it here for any of your readers who may be following this discussion. Will and Lyra don’t kill God. The being who dies is a false God – not the God that we know – and they do not kill him. They are trying to help him and he dies while in their care. Sin is not glorified in the books. Dust is not about original sin and how it was a good choice on Eve’s part…it’s the culmination of human experience and wisdom…the fact that she had a choice at all – free will. Those are a few of the things I felt were passed along as untruths. The books are fiction and yet still explore the hard questions about life and faith, and growing up.
I’m not sure what you meant by “I think if Believers spend more time reading the Word and letting the Holy Spirit speak in our hearts, we’d do a lot less talking.” Should I take that to mean if I just read the Word and listen to the Holy Spirit I’d come to the same conclusion as you have? Talking things out with other believers is part of the learning process. I aim to be a believer with friendships that display the “iron sharpens iron” mentality.
I stepped out of the Christian bubble so I could live in the world and bring healing to those who have been hurt by the enemy and those still in the bubble. That doesn’t make me “worldly”. I do not look at people and classify them as lost or saved and I certainly don’t see it as Us vs. Them. We’re all “them”. Mr. Pullman doesn’t need the Lord any more or less than you or I do. We’re just further along on our journey than he is. God knows his heart and you are right – A day of judgment is coming and I’m thankful that God is patient and loving and doesn’t want anyone to miss out on what He has for his children.
My compass is set to True North. I’m following the man who gave me a mission and made me who I am to love on those He places in my path – just like you. From the tone set with your post and comments, you’re taking on the wrong guy. Mr. Pullman is not the enemy. He’s flesh and blood and was created in the image of the God we serve. He may be lost right now and needs our prayers, not our disgust or pity.
I don’t believe this book being made into a movie is a ploy to pull in unsuspecting people. I think that’s fear and anger talking. It’s amazing that this discussion hasn’t been going on for the last 12 years since the book was released.
~sigh~ I guess I’ll end with saying you have your opinion and I have mine. I am o.k. with that. I do hope you understand that I’m looking for God in everything. I’m not claiming Pullman’s books are a must-read or anything like that. I’m holding out for my final opinion until after I’ve finished book 3 – probably sometime in the next week or so. Until then, I’m praying WITH YOU that he comes to know Jesus as his Savior. My guess is that a bunch of Christians being nasty to him and about him isn’t going to win him over to Christ. It sort of proves his point.
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Hi ya again, Niki.
I posted my response on my blog, (www.livingtheadventurouslife.blogspot.com), in the comment section of “What Compass Are You Following” and then decided to make it into an actual post for today entitled, “About His Dark Materials.”
Thank you for your thoughts and may we pray together for the lost that they will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, an in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:2-5
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When you post a nasty comment on someone’s blog be overly sure you don’t underestimate their abilities to find out who you are. I did not appreciate your comment and if you do it again, so help me, I will not be so cordial next time. Practice what you are preaching and leave me alone.
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First of all, I haven’t left ANY nasty comments on anyone’s blog – whoever you are. I haven’t been able to visit many blogs lately, so unless you are Susan, or one of her friends, I have no clue what you’re talking about. Even then, I wasn’t nasty. Secondly, I’m not hard to find. I ALWAYS leave a trail when I comment, write, or say anything. I never hide behind “anonymous” and I always leave my name. ALWAYS. It automatically appears when I leave a comment anyway. If you knew anything about me, you’d know how strongly I harp on that particular issue. I stand behind my words which do sometimes get me into trouble, so I try to think through them carefully before hitting the save button. I haven’t been nasty to anyone and I never hide from anything. I take responsibility for my words and actions. You are not welcome to come here and threaten me.
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Niki, it wasn’t me and may we please, please, just take this to the Lord and let it rest there. Thank you. You are right about Satan having a field day.
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I saw the movie today. Stop on over and read it if you aren’t sick of the topic. 🙂
http://www.janparrish.blogspot.com
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I am excited that you actually read the book, and Jan saw the movie. I am happy that the two of you are braving the rumors to search out the Truth.
I am also happy that the both of you offered good points and bad, not just ranting on how terrible Mr. Pullman is for thinking such things. You both are the example of what is good about Christ’s community.
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Thanks Chelf! Jan and I are friends and we’ve had an ongoing discussion about this topic and remained loving and respectful even though so far we have differing opinions.
This whole discussion between Susan’s blog and mine has gotten out of hand. I was accused of being nasty which I didn’t think I was. Jan said she thought my comment about Susan passing along untruths was a little harsh. (Are harsh and nasty the same thing?) I wasn’t meaning to come across as a jerk. I really was trying to clarify that the author was being misquoted and assumptions were being made – as I pointed out in my first post. Also that you should never call someone a “Supposed Christian” if they don’t believe exactly as you do.
As I said once, my intention isn’t to step on toes as much as to step on hearts. I’m not out to hurt people’s feelings. I’m out to make them think and learn to love no matter what. I want believers to wake up to the blindness of judgment and “righteous criticism” of other believers. I just need to figure out a better way to word what I have to say. I’m working on it. 🙂
I appreciate all of you leaving your 2 cents and I welcome opposing opinions as long as they’re done respectfully. It is hard to remain respectful when buttons are pushed and emotions flare…something I know firsthand.
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This and other discussions we have about how we as Christian’s should react in the face of something that goes against what we believe, invariably turns into “why are they so wrong.” What concerns me about this (and I think what Niki was originally asserting) is that we never honestly respond to “their” objections. They shout dogma and battle cries and we return battle cries and dogma. They shout “atheism” and “no proof” and we shout “washed in the blood” and “only one truth!”
But we never deal with the issues at hand. That exchange hurts Christianity in the eyes of people who don’t believe what we believe.
I would like to see an honest and colloquialism-free discussion about why Mr. Pullman’s objections are actually based on the general impressions that are common about Christianity and not the gospel words of Jesus.
In that way we might find that his objections are from unfortunate and egregious things that he would of course be affected by – things that Jesus would want us to have compassion for and be equally upset about – and we might find that our own faith widens as well.
As long as we are saying you are wrong and you are the enemy the world will never trust us enough to hear us. And as long as we are unaware of how our words sound to “others” we run the risk of sounding like we are calling them the enemy. 2 cents – take it for what it’s worth to you.
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Thanks Bil! Where were you last week? 😉 I think this discussion will continue as it has been a catalyst for some deep thinking this week. There are questions that beg for answers and I want this to be a place of discussion, not just a dumping ground for philosophy and opinions.
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I’m still in line for the book.
But, in the meantime I’ve done some more reading.
Instead of posting my BOOK here, I’ll leave the link to my blog.
http://www.jenniferking.blogspot.com
In the blog post, I quote only secular sources and Philip Pullman himself. It was quite an eye opener for me.
-Jennifer-
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