From: HUMMINGRK at aol.com <HUMMINGRK>
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 18:03:04 EDT

I enjoyed reading Kathleen's post of the interview with editor David Fickling. He put into words what I have been wanting to say: But this is not a vapid empty beauty for the sake of an exercise or showing off, with Philip the words are the meaning, and they paint pictures or whatever he intends. Hence the power, and that amazing clarity. After a while you forget you are reading, you are just there! I have not read a writer writing in English today who writes as beautifully, clearly and powerfully as Philip Pullman. <<

I love to read the "pictures" that Pullman paints. And the vivid scenes lead from place to place with surprising plot turns. What writer would I compare him to? Sounds weird, but I've always thought he reminds me of Mark Twain, master storyteller and writer. While they are separated by a century and an ocean, both Pullman and Twain are/were unafraid to tackle major issues in their books: the universe, slavery, the human condition. Both use incredible detail to draw the reader into a fictional world that becomes reality and leave the reader pondering about the meaning of life.

Lee Sullivan Hill Clarendon Hills, IL
Received on Fri 11 May 2001 05:03:04 PM CDT