Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials

Very Dark Materials Indeed

It's been a long time since I've read one of those truly breathtaking books. Not coincidentally, it's also been long since I've written a book review.

Sure, I've read some good books in the six months that have passed, but none of them had that certain unfathomable quality that precedes a true masterpiece. The feeling that makes me read a book for the better half of the night, catch a few hours of sleep and read on come morning on the train, oblivious to sore eyelids and burned neurons.

I'm actually tempted to insert a sly, cynical remark here, about how Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy could not possibly rise to these heights hereby described. Except that it does.

It's a complex story, starting with "The Golden Compass" (Also known as "Northern Lights"), continuing with "The Subtle Knife" and concluding with the breathtaking, fast-paced "The Amber Spyglass".

It's a story about children and adults, about growing up in more than one way. About atheism and belief. About fate and choice. About Adam and Eve. It's a work of fantasy interwoven with quantum physics.

I could write so much more, but after spending several sleepless nights on the trilogy, I should think that my own humble review can wait for a more civilized hour.

On the upside: Fascinating, Surprising, Simple yet Rich with Complexity, Strong Characters.
On the downside: This book is for kids, adolescents and adults that hadn't stopped growing. Oh, and excess amounts of addictive qualities.
JYRating: 95. Because only the Authority deserves 100.