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[CCBC-Net] HIS DARK MATERIALS
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From: MWestonArt at aol.com <MWestonArt>
Date: Fri, 4 May 2001 12:39:19 EDT
I really am enjoying this discussion. My son (now 15) and I read all three books and loved them, including all the confusion and mystery. I don't think any of the books stands alone -- too many unanswered questions -- but most especially "The Subtle Knife", which seems to have an invisible To Be Continued sign hanging off the last page. It helps to know that going into them, but it's not vital.
In a message dated 5/4/01 8:32:32 AM, Sarah.Thomson at HARPERCOLLINS.com writes:
<< And shouldn't we feel that way when a character dies? The death of
innocence at the hands of someone seeking personal gain SHOULD be appalling,
and we SHOULD feel it deeply. I was reluctant to accept Lord Asriel's
reformation at the end of THE AMBER SPYGLASS because I was so profoundly
horrified by what he'd done to Roger. >>
I think this is a very interesting and important point. One of the powerful things about these books is the way the reader is challenged to not completely dismiss Lyra's parents as irredeemable. What I found intriguing about both Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel is that for all their power, cunning, and personality, they, and not the children, are the most immature characters in the book. They only "grow up" right at the end. But their ultimate good deeds don't eliminate the selfish evil they have done throughout the series. It just makes them more complex and therefore more real. In "real life" people who are disappointing and pigheaded and mean still can be oddly contradictory and do brave and good things. The way I see it, Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel are like that, just a lot more entertaining than the average citizen.
Martha Weston
Received on Fri 04 May 2001 11:39:19 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 4 May 2001 12:39:19 EDT
I really am enjoying this discussion. My son (now 15) and I read all three books and loved them, including all the confusion and mystery. I don't think any of the books stands alone -- too many unanswered questions -- but most especially "The Subtle Knife", which seems to have an invisible To Be Continued sign hanging off the last page. It helps to know that going into them, but it's not vital.
In a message dated 5/4/01 8:32:32 AM, Sarah.Thomson at HARPERCOLLINS.com writes:
<< And shouldn't we feel that way when a character dies? The death of
innocence at the hands of someone seeking personal gain SHOULD be appalling,
and we SHOULD feel it deeply. I was reluctant to accept Lord Asriel's
reformation at the end of THE AMBER SPYGLASS because I was so profoundly
horrified by what he'd done to Roger. >>
I think this is a very interesting and important point. One of the powerful things about these books is the way the reader is challenged to not completely dismiss Lyra's parents as irredeemable. What I found intriguing about both Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel is that for all their power, cunning, and personality, they, and not the children, are the most immature characters in the book. They only "grow up" right at the end. But their ultimate good deeds don't eliminate the selfish evil they have done throughout the series. It just makes them more complex and therefore more real. In "real life" people who are disappointing and pigheaded and mean still can be oddly contradictory and do brave and good things. The way I see it, Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel are like that, just a lot more entertaining than the average citizen.
Martha Weston
Received on Fri 04 May 2001 11:39:19 AM CDT
