From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Fri, 04 May 2001 13:11:19 +0100

I think it is interesting that a number of you posting have commented on how you manage to read and enjoy this series despite a distaste for fantasy. I'm a great lover of fantasy and waited eagerly for each book as it came out. The Amber Spyglass was one of the most exhilarating and emotional readings of the last year for me. Someone else posted that she could only read the books in small doses. Just the opposite for me; I read The Amber Spyglass to its conclusion way late into the night. It is one of those books which made me cry and cry at the end. And I was in its spell, haunted by it, as I am by few books (David Almond's come to mine.) Coincidentally, this morning as I waited with some children for our school elevator, I noticed one fifth grader deep into a book, oblivious to the commotion around her. It only took me a quick look at the page she was on to see that it was The Subtle Knife.
   One thing that frustrated me a bit was the changes made for the US editions. In particular, the first two books had small illustrations by the author in the chapter headings and The Amber Spyglass had wonderful quotes to open each chapter. Someone on child_lit was kind enough to post them all for us. When I was in London, I reluctantly decided not to buy all three (because I wanted too many other books instead!), but I do wish the US editions had those wonderful touches.

Monica


Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Fri 04 May 2001 07:11:19 AM CDT