His Dark Materials

His Dark Materials is a trilogy of novels by the fantasy fiction author Philip Pullman, comprising Northern Lights (released as The Golden Compass in the United States), The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. The trilogy has also been published as a single-volume omnibus in the UK, titled simply "His Dark Materials".

Influences and reactions

The three major literary influences on His Dark Materials acknowledged by Pullman himself are the essay On the Marionette Theatre by Heinrich von Kleist, the works of William Blake, and, most importantly, being the source of the basic ideas of the trilogy, John Milton's Paradise Lost, from which the title of the trilogy, "His Dark Materials", derives. Pullman's stated intention was to invert Milton's story of a war between heaven and hell. In his introduction, he adapts Blake's line to quip that he (Pullman) "is of the Devil's party and does know it."

Related Topics:
On the Marionette Theatre - Heinrich von Kleist - William Blake - John Milton's - Paradise Lost

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The novels also draw heavily on gnostic ideas, and His Dark Materials has been at the heart of controversy, especially with certain Christian groups. Pullman has, however, also found support from more liberal Christians, most notably Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who argue that Pullman's attacks are focused on the constraints and dangers of dogmatism and the use of religion to oppress, not on Christianity itself.

Related Topics:
Gnostic ideas - Christian - Liberal Christians - Rowan Williams - Archbishop of Canterbury - Dogmatism - Oppress

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Some have called His Dark Materials the antithesis of The Chronicles of Narnia, the seven-book fantasy series by C. S. Lewis. This image has been reinforced by Pullman making public statements accusing Lewis of being "blatantly racist" and "monumentally disparaging of women" in his novels ("The Guardian", June 3, 2002, John Ezard). Furthermore, the Narnia series distinctly favors faith and religion over exclusive rationalism, whereas His Dark Materials seems to advocate the opposite. Additionally, some characters and events in His Dark Materials are derived of the Narnia books.

Related Topics:
The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis - The Guardian - June 3 - 2002 - John Ezard - Narnia

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In terms of popularity, the trilogy is sometimes compared with fantasy books like A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane and even the Narnia books themselves.

Related Topics:
A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle - Young Wizards - Diane Duane - Narnia

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