Northern Lights

Northern Lights, the first in the "his dark materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman. I opened this book for a light read while writing my essay, and I couldn't put it down. It's set in a parallel world which to my eyes, is religion has won over science. The church is all powerful and war is seemingly continuously waged in strange places, like Holland.

At first I was unsure the fantasy style was to my taste or whether it was Pullman's writing style that wasn't my cup of tea. Lyra's world is full of odd words I wasn't quite sure how to pronounce let alone what they meant, but more often than not these were explained by the plot line or situation, so I just sort of ran with it. Pullman's style definitely did grow on me after a few chapters. Soon the strange differences didn't feel so jarring, they were more expected and often welcomed. A sharp little reminder that this novel is not set in everyday worlds, in this world people have daemons and witches ride the wind on cloud pine.

On to daemons, this difference is something I couldn't get my head around when I watched the film (yes, I did watch the film first, something I rarely do). The book explained daemons much better, In this world, daemons are an animal form a bit like a conscious and a friend rolled into one. To be apart from your daemon is like having your heart torn out, something that made my head hurt.

A second more noticeable difference in the book to the film was Lord Asriel, Lyra's father/uncle. now in the film he is harsh but fair, rugged and brilliant. In the book he is well, frightful and a hypocrite. He uses the innocent to achieve his own ends, resulting in the death of Roger the Kitchen Boy (say it quick and have a giggle) Lyra's friend from Oxford, whom she has crossed the world to save. Now I'm certain that doesn't happen in the film, in the film Lord Asriel is still imprisoned! The armoured bears are also quite different, they feel richer as characters, another proof of Pullman's mastery. I never thought I would find a talking polar bear a believable character of a book!

His Dark Materials, as a children's' fantasy book that has amassed adult audiences and critical acclaim is obviously likely to draw comparisons to Harry Potter. Now I love Harry Potter, Northern Lights is not as easy a read, I think it would also be more difficult to re-read as frequently as the potter novels. Saying that, Northern lights is definitely not a difficult read by any means. If you'll excuse me... I have a few books waiting for me on the shelf besides me.