Goodreads | The Subtle Knife Deluxe Edition (His Dark Materials)

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doesn't anyone else hate this book?	108	582	11 days ago, 01:19PM
BFF Book Club: Let's get things started...	10	4	10/07/2008 06:43PM

Dan rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

01/07/08

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in January, 2008

The second entry in a trilogy is often, in my opinion, the best. The author doesn't have to introduce the universe or the characters, as they did in the first installment, but they don't need to worry about wrapping up all the plot points either. Instead, the focus can be on 'the good stuff': elaborating on the story, teasing us more, giving action, chopping off Luke's hand and so on. Instead of the good stuff, in The Subtle Knife I feel as though we've had a bait and switch pulled on us....more The second entry in a trilogy is often, in my opinion, the best. The author doesn't have to introduce the universe or the characters, as they did in the first installment, but they don't need to worry about wrapping up all the plot points either. Instead, the focus can be on 'the good stuff': elaborating on the story, teasing us more, giving action, chopping off Luke's hand and so on. Instead of the good stuff, in The Subtle Knife I feel as though we've had a bait and switch pulled on us.

In The Golden Compass, we were treated to a rich alternate universe that had elements that were similar to our own, like some of the geopolitical structure, and elements that were entirely fantastical, like armored polar bears and witches. The Subtle Knife, however decides that most of this is insignificant and takes place almost entirely in different universes. It seems like Philip Pullman wanted to reel us in with fantasy before he could preach at us.

Some of these elements are expanded upon in The Amber Spyglass, which I'm currently reading, so forgive me if they don't all apply. I had heard before I started the series that they were 'about killing God.' This seemed highly unlikely, and was probably a knee-jerk reaction from people who heard it from other people who read a synopsis of the book, etc. But... no. Some of the main characters have decided to wage war on 'The Authority.'

Herein lies my main concern with the series as a whole: it's not (excuse the pun) subtle. I'm an agnostic, so these complaints don't come from someone insulted by the material, they come from someone unhappy by their handling. I love plots that put a spin on traditional religion (Waiting for the Galactic Bus, for example), but it seems like Pullman came up with a story involving a culture's religion and then decided to make it fit with the Judeo-Christian framework no matter how hard he had to push.

The concept of Dust is interesting. Adapting it to fit with concepts of physics in our world works because it uses something we only know a little about. Once you try to toss in angels and consciousness and so on (which is insulting in a children's book, as he's claiming that children are entirely self involved until puberty), though, it seems contrived and silly.

I may have been more willing to swallow his philosophy, such as it is, if there hadn't been a complete lack of the elements I liked in The Golden Compass: there were no Gyptians, there were no panserbjörne... they seem to make a reappearance in the final book of the series, but why spend so much time on their culture in the first book if you aren't going to include them in the second? (I know that the panserbjörne's culture is basically that of any warrior society, but they're still armored polar bears and the ten year old in me think that's awesome)

It's not so much that the book is bad, per se, though I do think it becomes too dark for the age group I initially thought it was written for. I just don't think Pullman is writing for the same reason I want to read: he wants to write religious commentary while I want to read fantasy....less

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Lucy rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

01/02/08

Read in December, 2007

I am not a fan of forwarded emails. They frustrate me, because they usually come from the same group of people, people I like a great deal but who never send me a normal "hey, how's it going?" message. Just "Support our Troops" or "Tell every woman you know she's special" or "Microsoft is running a test and if you send this you could get a check for $1,000!" When I see the letters FWD in the subject line, I usually simply delete it.

I lost track of th...more
I am not a fan of forwarded emails. They frustrate me, because they usually come from the same group of people, people I like a great deal but who never send me a normal "hey, how's it going?" message. Just "Support our Troops" or "Tell every woman you know she's special" or "Microsoft is running a test and if you send this you could get a check for $1,000!" When I see the letters FWD in the subject line, I usually simply delete it.

I lost track of the number of emails I received telling me about the Anti-God movie The Golden Compass and the need to boycott the movies and the books. It was well over ten. Ten people wanted me to send that email on to everyone I know, telling them the same thing. Don't see this movie! Don't read these books! Alert! Alert! Alert!

Nothing like calling attention to something like a planned boycott. I haven't seen the movie, because I'm cheap and it's not something I'd take my kids to or something I'd be prone to see anyway, but as I had already read the first book in the series, enjoyed it and hadn't found it to be Anti-God, I was curious to read the next to see what the fuss was all about.

I don't know if the emails worked and I read with a bias, but I did not enjoy this second book. Not because it is Anti-God...which it really isn't, but more anti organized religion and organized religion's version of god, but because the writing is bad.

Dialogue - choppy.

Descriptions - cliched. (how do I get that little accent marking over the e?)

Storyline - totally falters.

I felt enormously disappointed in the direction of this book. Lyra, the young female protagonist in search of dust and her father, all but disappears in this second story. She still plays a part, but now as the sidekick to Will, a new character who is a giant "young adult fiction" stereotype (in search of the father he never knew while protecting his mother from bad guys and seems to be gifted in the combat department). I don't remember the writing being bad in the first book. I thought it descriptive and unique and thoughtful. Not so, in The Subtle Knife. Pullman changes gears and loses focus. There is a lot more going on and none of it is developed well. I stopped caring about the characters and their goals.

I think these books had great potential. There could be a lot to discuss with adolescents (not young children...at all). The nature of the soul, the natural man, the costs and benefits of religions. All appropriate things to discuss with youth ready to question and discover on their own.

Pullman takes that conversation away with his lack of metaphor. It becomes impossible to argue, "I think the dust means this." or "what do you think The Authority is for Pullman?" when he throws his opinion at you with real life Christian beliefs. It's inappropriate and unfair. Write a fantasy or a satire or a parable if you want to. Other authors have done it...and done it well.

Pullman didn't.

I won't be reading the third book....less

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Candace Wynell rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

05/29/08

Read in April, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Way back at the end of November/beginning of December of good ol' 2007, I read Phillip Pullman's The Golden Compass. Why? Well, because there was all that talk about how it got made into a movie. I read the book, and found it very thought provoking. As for the movie it's a watered down version of Pullman's work, but not bad for the most part. I mean, I don't think it would go over too well with audiences who haven't read to book to know that Lyra's friend Roger is killed by Lord Asreil and that ...more

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Hunter rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

01/23/08

bookshelves: fantasy, fiction

Read in September, 2007

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Clifton rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

08/23/07

Read in August, 2007

Okay, I'm very much the series' bitch thus far, but I found Subtle Knife both a little thin and increasingly frustrating. First, the story just pales in comparison with the richness of The Golden Compass. Instead of a wondrous adventure to the north, we have Will and Lyra tooling around the suburbs. Plus, the pace just seems rushed, so things that would have unfolded with a little more grandeur and mystery just sort of tumble out of characters' mouths (in the case of rather rushed and stilted ex...more

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Alana rated it:

(review of isbn 0375823468)

07/31/07

bookshelves: fantasy, youngadult

Twelve-year-old Will Parry has been protecting his mother from unseen enemies for years - with force when necessary, but mostly by remaining invisible to those around him. When he kills a man who is invading his home in search of documents, he finds himself on the run from the police and from men determined to uncover his parents' secrets. During his flight Will stumbles through a window into the crumbling world of Cittagazze, where Specters invisible to children suck the consciousness from any ...more Twelve-year-old Will Parry has been protecting his mother from unseen enemies for years - with force when necessary, but mostly by remaining invisible to those around him. When he kills a man who is invading his home in search of documents, he finds himself on the run from the police and from men determined to uncover his parents' secrets. During his flight Will stumbles through a window into the crumbling world of Cittagazze, where Specters invisible to children suck the consciousness from any adults they can find. There he meets Lyra Belacqua, who is determined to discover more about Dust from Scholars in Will's world.

In their adventures the children must match wits with those who want the golden compass and those who desire the subtle knife - an object of extraordinary power that may tip the balance in the ensuing battle of the heavens.

I found this book less irritating than the first - but only after I had gotten halfway through it. Once Lyra's stupidity and selfishness once again betrays one of her only friends, she FINALLY stops acting only to serve herself and becomes more bearable. This is almost certainly also due to the fact that the story's focus shifts to Will whom I actually sympathized with.

The other reason I enjoyed this book more than I did The Golden Compass is because the plot finally becomes less nebulous and the actual reasons Pullman is writing become more apparent. Here the parallels to the Fall of Man, original sin and the angels' rebellion are finally stated where in the first book all the reader was given was a bizarre little fantasy world revolving (to all appearances) around one obnoxious little girl of importance for no particular reason.

I find Asriel (remarkable similarity to Azrael - Angel of Death) very intriguing. Despite his ambition and power-craze, his rebellion seems, at heart to be a good thing - a rebellion against horrendous acts of cruelty perpetrated in the name of 'the Authority' by those who blindly follow the Church's dictates. And the Church is obsessed with retaining children's 'innocence' in ways that completely destroy their humanity, trust, and innocence. Yet, like all great causes, this one demands terrible sacrifices. There's a reason I'm disgusted by 'great causes' - there seems to always be a need to kill, to torture, to subject others; to sacrifice dreams, beliefs, bodies and even oneself for something. Can it really justify the suffering, no matter how good the end?...less

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Adam rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

06/11/08

Read in June, 2008

recommended to Adam by: Neligh

This is a wonderful chapter in a great adventure story. More than that, though, if I were a young adult, I think it would be mind blowing.

If you're just beginning to explore your religious beliefs, the roots of Christianity and it's place in American society, and attempting to reconcile that done in the name of religion with the religion itself, this book would be a an eye-opening experience. It is a great starting point from which to do your own reconnoitering.

As I'm a bit older and...more

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Rebecca rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

05/13/08

bookshelves: children-and-young-adult, oh-so-british, sci-fi-fantasy

Read in May, 2008

recommends it for: fantasy fans

This book was far more engaging than its predecessor, most likely because Pullman decided to tone down the amount of page time that Lyra got and instead developed Will's character. Will is by far the better protagonist, and we can only hope that Lyra will benefit from being near him and that some of his maturity will rub off on her. As with the first in the trilogy, the writing was a joy to read in this book. If the third is better than this one, I'm in for a real treat.

My only main criti...more This book was far more engaging than its predecessor, most likely because Pullman decided to tone down the amount of page time that Lyra got and instead developed Will's character. Will is by far the better protagonist, and we can only hope that Lyra will benefit from being near him and that some of his maturity will rub off on her. As with the first in the trilogy, the writing was a joy to read in this book. If the third is better than this one, I'm in for a real treat.

My only main criticism is that the whole rebel angel/Eve/next fall from grace stuff was incorporated into the plot a bit clumsily. There was foreshadowing about Lyra being "special," and of course we already knew that the church was evil, but the revelation of this quest towards the end of the book didn't really seem to fit with the tone of the story so far. The atmosphere up to this point was very other-worldly and fantastic, and suddenly it was like Pullman was abruptly writing from a very realistic political point of view that didn't seem to fit with his created universe. It's like he was having fun writing a very engrossing fantasy story, and then decided to start awkwardly and heavy-handedly inserting atheism (or at least anti-religiosity) into the plot. The only reason I wasn't taken aback more by this development is that I had heard conservatives complaining about the series and its god-killing. But even though I wasn't shocked to read about this upcoming battle against the "Authority," it still seemed a bit tacked on at the end of the book and not given a very good context or rationale.

I'm also a little wary about Lord Asriel's next appearance -- he seems to me to be evil and calculating through and through, and I don't really like the way Pullman was trying to set him up as one of the "good guys" (or at least as "not one of the bad guys") at the end of this book. I'm all for fantasy novels including characters who inhabit a moral gray area, but in my opinion, Lord Asriel is just as power-hungry and opportunistic and ruthless as the church he's fighting, and I really hope Will and Lyra don't get conned into joining him.

I assume (hope) Pullman will take everything firmly in hand for the last book in the trilogy, because otherwise this mystical battle against religion will seem just plain silly and faux-epic. One thing that routinely turns me off of fantasy is the entirely too trumped-up and over-dramatic "epic-ness" that so many fantasy novels aspire to. It usually comes off as very cliche and over-serious, and I'm really hoping this series doesn't fall into that trap....less

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Paul rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

01/19/08

Read in December, 2007

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

As I said in my review of Golden Compass, I'd once before read the first book of this trilogy, but stumbled on the second. On this second try I made it through this book, and for my efforts didn't find much reward.

It starts out by introducing Will, wholly absent from the 1st book, and from our own world. This jarring beginning is what made me put the book down on my original reading, but this time (forewarned) I found enough to keep me going. I wasn't exactly skipping though. More like trud...more

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Laura rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

01/12/08

Read in December, 2007

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I found myself much more riveted to this book than to The Golden Compass. I was eager to find out about Will's mysterious father, and how he and Lyra would react to each other's worlds. The plot involving Dust is shaping up to be quite interesting (it's sentient, it communicates, it has kind of a smart-ass attitude that I found funny.) Some people have complained that Lyra seems weaker in this book, with Will always bossing her around, but it makes sense to me. Most of the story takes place ...more

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Bonnie rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

01/02/08

Read in January, 2008

recommends it for: high school and above

Not happy with the ending otherwise it would have gotten 5 stars. Well written, kept me hanging on the edge of my seat.
I have the third one downloaded on my Sony e-book and will start soon.

One thing I can say about Pullman is that he is a master at detail, at character, at setting. His imagination is immense.

I don't like revealing plots in a review so I won't tell what happens but I am impressed.

I can see where some might feel challenged regarding this book. It throws a lot of...more

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Jane rated it:

(review of isbn 0375823468)

07/28/07

Read in July, 2007

The adventures of young Lyra continue, and now she's with Will Parry, a 12-year-old boy from our world. The two meet when Will, trying to escape trouble in his home city of Oxford, England, slips through an invisible window (kind of like a sheet of air inside air) into a third world, Cittagazze, where he bumps into Lyra. They piece together their stories and deduce that there are many worlds, all "hooked on" to each other, coexisting, and only those who have discovered the windows ca...more

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Annalisa rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

01/30/08

bookshelves: children-young-adult, fantasy-sci-fi

Read in December, 2007

recommended to Annalisa by: Ryan

What I did like about this book is that it starts with Lyra, a girl we have become acquainted with from another world, meeting Will, a boy from our world. Bringing the fantasy into our own reality was surreal and interesting. But only for a minute and then it became a bore. The story was slow and at some points stopped altogether to allow Pullman his theological preachings of anti-church and anti-god. If the story had been metaphorical I would have enjoyed it more, but it became less fiction and...more

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Michael rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

01/07/08

bookshelves: fiction

Read in January, 2008

This book doesn't end, so much as stop. Nothing is resolved in The Subtle Knife and you are left with a cliff hanger. So, if you read this book, plan on reading book three immediately afterwards.

In general the author is not a good writer. More like a philosopher trying to write fiction. The descriptions are poor, it's plot heavy and not very emotional. That all being said, as a lover of philosophy, I have enjoyed books I and II in the trilogy and I will go on to read book III.

The au...more

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Rachel rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

04/29/08

Read in April, 2008

His Dark Materials is what a true trilogy should be - each successive book deepens the power of the story and builds an intricate crescendo of events and twists. In "The Subtle Knife," the attack on free will and knowledge continues, and the revelation of how far its reach has extended is astounding. Though we face that attack day-to-day in our world, Pullman's mastery is that he forces readers to reject their apathy about this and realize the horror of this attack, not just in this ...more

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Ryan rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

07/21/07

I can't really describe how great I think these books are. The second in the trilogy I loved even more than the first. It's heartbreaking, relentless and fascinating. They have truly captured my imagination and moved me. I think one of the best parts is that since I've been reading them and carrying them around at camp, I've had so many campers and counselors tell me that they've also read them, and loved them. And sometimes, they get really excited. I can't wait to devour the third one.

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Suzanne rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

02/24/08

bookshelves: children-and-children-s-book-lovers

You need to read the first book in order to understand this one. The storyline is better. I think its regretful that the author chose the Judeo-Christian theology to endlessly criticize and can understand why some parents might have objections. Nonetheless, with a mature older reader it could stimulate interest discussion. Certainly evil, done in the name of religion, is quite timely.
Thought provoking on a number of levels....not for the faint-hearted child prone to nightmares.

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Reverend J. LeSchwes rated it:

(review of isbn 0679879250)

08/16/07

recommends it for: lovers of Lyra

Philip Pullman has done it again!
Whereas most sci-fi/fantasy writers stick with the characters and setting behind their first big success and pummel them to death, Pullman transports us to a whole other world- our own - and through the eyes of a whole new main character, makes it seem as bizarre as the fantasy world he created in The Golden Compass.
If Paulo Coelho's books are "Harry Potter for adults", This trilogy is Harry Potter for smart adults who love to read.

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Ann rated it:

(review of isbn 0807204722)

11/12/08

bookshelves: alternate-worlds, coming-of-age, fantasy, government-repression, religion, resistence-movements, young-adult

Read in November, 2008

I'm not really into fantasy books at all (although it seems like I have an awful lot of them in my to-read list), but I like this series because the writing is really good and there is so much depth to the story. I know that it's supposed to be quite controversial, but I just find it interesting, despite ultimately disagreeing with the message of the trilogy. I feel like this book is maybe setting up the next one more than it progresses the story - there are a few key pieces of information that ...more

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