In recent years, there have been two different fantasy series that share similarities. They have the same basic plots, the same basic creatures, and so on. Looking at the posters, cases, and trailers, you would think they were very alike, but when you look deeper, you see that they are very different indeed. This fact shows itself through the success of the books and films of their names.
“The Chronicles of Narnia” have been a beloved series for families everywhere since the 1950’s. They started out as a single novel which gained so much popularity that it soon gave birth to a series of seven imaginative tales.
The “His Dark Materials” series have been among us since 1995 and have gained various awards and praise. The first novel, Northern Lights, which was later released in America as The Golden Compass was published in 1995. It was followed by The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass which completed the trilogy.
The first book in each series, and the second in The Chronicles of Narnia, have been recently adapted into major motion pictures. There are similarities, as was stated earlier, but there are also differences. These differences have been debated and quarreled over for years, and here are some of the reasons why:
First, we will look at the authors of the novels. “The Chronicles of Narnia” were written by a man born on November 29, 1898. He lived in Belfast, Ireland and later taught in Oxford for nearly thirty years. C. S. Lewis struggled greatly in childhood and onward, these struggles pushing him to atheism. Later in his life, however, Lewis’ friend and fellow writer J. R. R. Tolkien, author of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, witnessed to him and Lewis converted to Christianity in 1931. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, published in 1950, was the first children’s book Lewis ever wrote. Being a devoted Christian, Lewis paralleled his fantastical world with stories and teachings from the Bible.
The author of “His Dark Materials” comes from a completely different viewpoint. Philip Pullman was born on October 19, 1946 in Norwich, England, frequently moving from base to base due to his father’s career with the Royal Air Force. The first book in Pullman’s series was published in 1995 and was followed by two sequels. Pullman is currently writing another book in the “His Dark Materials” series which will be called The Book of Dust. Pullman says that he has received many questions about his portrayals on religion in his previous novels and will further explain the extent of his atheist beliefs in what he says will be a very large novel:
“This is a big subject and I’m writing a big, big book…”
Unlike Lewis, Pullman sewed bits of atheistic teachings into his worlds and creatures with the intent of steering children away from Christianity. Some could say that Lewis had God on his side, for “The Chronicles of Narnia” has boomed with success whereas The Golden Compass is the only novel in Pullman’s series to be adapted to film.
The Golden Compass crashed at the box-office, even though it cost the same to make as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. After being asked his opinion on why this was, C. E. Moore says:
“It just so happened that when they finally hit screens one was good and one made people want their money back (with the exception of the kick-butt polar bear jaw-breaking scene). Another possibility is that the Narnia films are based on a series of books written by an Oxford don and those books continue to be loved and cherished by millions the world over years after Lewis’ death while The Golden Compass is written by a man who has a special place in his heart for attacking the deeply held Christian beliefs of individuals through children’s stories that are not equally loved nor as well-written. What do you think?”
After the unsuccessful release of The Golden Compass, New Line announced that they would not be releasing any sequels to the film. Many people have their opinions on why Narnia is more of a success, but with Lewis’ wonderful characters and his devotion to God and Pullman’s statement: “My books are about killing God”, I would ask you the same question Mr. Moore did:
What do you think?
“…
There were a number of reasons that Disney abandoned the franchise, and money is only part of it, but the simple fact is that the Narnia films made over a BILLION dollars, combined, and Prince Caspian is now closing on $500 Million Theatrical and Home Video combined.
Other reasons include: the state of the economy, Disney didn’t truly understand the franchise and didn’t market Caspian correctly, they wanted to change the third film into more of a Pirates of the Caribbean than it is. There is also the fact that it was one of the last pieces of Michael Eisner’s legacy, and Robert Iger was very interested in building his own legacy.
I would say more about it, but I gave my word that I wouldn’t say everything that I actually know about it. Just know that money wasn’t everything. Disney knew that it was a great franchise… it just wasn’t the right franchise for them, in the end.
I think it has less to do with religion and more to do with the fact that many children who are now adults read the Narnia books growing up, passed it on to their children, and so on, so they are now in the general consciousness. Whereas, His Dark Materials is new, and for many of my friends, something they’ve never heard of. Religion has nothing to do with it – many of my friends didn’t realize Narnia was religious in any way until much later in their lives, and enjoyed the books for the stories.
I found HDM to be a much better written series than Lewis’ Chronicles. Everything about them was more developed and mature than the Narnia universe. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed both series.
A few comments about the article: The Golden Compass movie was not as well done as the first Narnia movie, but I felt it was much better than the Prince Caspian movie. Also, it wasn’t atheism that Pullman ssewed into his stories, it was agnosticism. From souls to angels to an afterlife, none of those are figments of Atheism.
MrBob
Which age-group is His Dark Materials written to? The books is a little long and maybe hard for the young ones to read, and when they are matured enough to read long books, then the story doesn’t appropiate with their age at the time. Maybe that’s why the movie didn’t do so good…? At least, that’s what I felt when I read the book.
The difference between His Dark Materials and Narnia is that one of them, while not saying it outright, is a Christian series, while the other one clearly says outright it’s an anti-Christian series. It’s a sort of subconscious thing that people feel; even if they’re not Christians, anti-Christian books and movies are probably not right.
If I understand Pullman’s beliefs correctly, he does believe in the supernatural, but not in the Christian God. For him, if I have it right, the spiritual is part of the uncreated physical. There seems to be a bit of eastern mysticism or pantheism in his beliefs similar to the beliefs of the science fiction writer Robert Heinlein.
When The Golden Compass came out, Hollywood Jesus devoted a section of the website to the movie and the book series. See http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?cat=27 For even more, see http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?s=dark+materials
I actually took the time to read the Dark Materials trilogy at that time, and found that Pullman is actually an excellent writer. I certainly do not agree with his worldview, but his books are not entirely unprofitable. Here are some links to what I had to say at the time:
Review of the Movie (before I read the books) http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=1195
Review of the book The Golden Compass http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=1262
Review of The Subtle Knife http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=1495
Review of The Amber Spyglass http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=1455
His Dark Materials and C S Lewis’s thoughts on Evolution http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=1352
I enjoy both series of books very much. I have read all the Narnia books several times. I just finished His Dark Materials the third time. Both authors had a grandfather that was a minister. Lewis spent time as a atheist, more likely an agnostic. Pullman describes himself as an atheist but makes way too many references to angels and the afterlife to make a good atheist. I find the series a good criticism of the church and actually increases my faith. I find myself very attached to the character Lyra as I am attached to Lucy in Narnia. Pullman develops his characters very well and spins a good yarn. Lewis did the same.
I just saw The Golden Compass movie again last light. I think that one of the reasons that the movie did not do well in the U. S. is the studio cut the last act of the book from the movie. The trailers show references to the last act of the book, so it was filmed, but the Studio did not release it. This is what can happen when studios mess with a well-known story. This is my worry about VDT and the other Narnia books. I wish that The Golden Compass had done well; I think that The Amber Spyglass would have made a great movie.
“Pullman … makes way too many references to angels and the afterlife to make a good atheist.”
Don’t forget that Pullman is a writer of fiction. One doesn’t have to believe in something to write a story about it. Tokein wrote about trolls, Pratchett about elves and Milne about talking teddies but it’s safe to assume none of them believed in them.
I would answer your question by saying that you’ve missed the point.
Surely it’s a bit of a reach to try to read the relative success of two films as indicators of literary merit, isn’t it? The differences in marketing strategies, the quality of production, and the level of cultural saturation implicit in a book that’s been around for fifty years and which complements the beliefs of a large number of cinema-going Americans are all more relevant to the respective films’ success than the merits of the original text. The dull implication of the article that a Christian story equals good writing, while a rational story equals bad writing is uninteresting and certainly unsubstantiated, little more than poorly disguised dogmatism which childishly mistakes reinforcement of one’s own beliefs for talent in composition.
I agree that Lewis’s books are simply and beautifully written, oftentimes elegant in their structure and imaginative in their content, and I would argue that Pullman’s are as well (though I object to the idea that they “share a basic plot”, or “basic creatures” to any significant degree). But to suggest that Lewis’s books are worthwhile literature on the grounds of his faith alone does a disservice to the writer and his readers. How exactly are a writer’s beliefs relevant to his or her ability to write good fiction?
You ended with a very good and valid question… one that deserves a good answer, and one that is out there somewhere. Let’s take Tolkien for an example. Tolkien was, as many of us know, a staunch Roman Catholic. His being so informed his writing to great degree, such that, in the writing of The Lord of the Rings as well as other tails in Middle-Earth, his voice was able to resonate all the stronger.
It’d liken it to singing a song. Let’s say that you’re a brilliant singer, and when you open your mouth to sing, people stop in their tracks to listen. But your heart isn’t really in the song. Another, equally talented person shows up, and sings the same tune, but they believe in what they’re singing. It’s that added element of belief that causes one variation to soar over the other.
With Tolkien, language flowed from his pen, and his writing is informed and enhanced by his belief in what he was doing, his heart and passion for his writing. Granted, proper training is required as far as sentence structure, grammar and the like. But when a writer believes in what they are writing, it can enhance their ability to write it well, even in fiction.
Paul,
Thanks for your response, although I have to admit that I’m surprised to hear you defend the notion that the correlation between faith and good writing somehow implies causation in the cases of Lewis and Tolkien. To begin with, your metaphor about singing doesn’t quite line up with what we’re talking about here. What you’re describing is belief, or rather passion, for what one is writing, not faith. I would agree that if a person didn’t believe in what he was writing, if his “heart isn’t really in the song” as you put it, then the writing which he produced wouldn’t contain the same degree of artfulness. What makes you think, though, that Pullman doesn’t believe passionately in what he’s writing about? For him, one can imagine that thoughtfulness, kindness, curiosity, humility, empathy, freedom, and experience are just as powerful motivators as faith was to Lewis or Tolkien.
At any rate, you’ve yet to demonstrate any kind of evidence for your suggestion that lack of faith (and even more specifically Christian faith) is somehow a limit to the quality of writing. As long as we’re bringing in other writers, I’d offer up the case of Mark Twain and ‘Letters From the Earth’ (http://www.classicreader.com/book/1930/1/). It could be said of Twain that “language flowed from his pen,” wouldn’t you agree? A more immediate example would be our own discussion–I don’t think anyone is likely to come along and offer a Pulitzer to the original writer of this editorial, nor to me, although I’m sure both of us believe quite passionately in what we’re writing. It would seem, then, that while absence of passion might lead to poor writing (although who sits down to write a book without the passion to do so?), its presence alone doesn’t necessarily imply quality.
Tristan,
Thanks for writing back! If you’ll notice, I didn’t ever say that Pullman didn’t believe passionately about what he was writing. I think how you understood what I was saying about music meant that you just about got my point exactly as I meant it!
(Also note that I’m not the article’s writer. I would have come at this topic from a different angle. Something closer to this brilliant piece of work.)
I think, however, when you’re saying that passion for what one is writing is not related to faith, it’s something that is a bit misinformed. For more information about Tolkien’s writing, be sure to take a look at Bradley J. Birzer’s J.R.R. Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth: Understanding Middle-earth (ISI Books, 2003). What I speak from, is letter #172, in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, where he states that Lord of the Rings is “a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.”
Granted, I think you are also correct in that passion alone doesn’t imply quality. I have read many things written by people with passion that made me sick to my stomach. I’ve also written things written without passion for the subject. (Try reading any book on how computers work from the machine code level. Dry as can be, and I cannot imagine the writer being excited about the topic.)
I also think that all of those virtues that you mentioned Pullman being strongly impassioned about also played a major role in all of their writings, which is what makes the writing so compelling.
I need to get into the office, so I’ll end by thanking both the writer for the excellent conversation starter, and the excellent first article that garnered such a discussion, as well as everyone who has commented so far. It’s been fun, but I gotta run! Be sure to check out I don’t want this Pullman to be MY conductor by Joseph Ravitts.
Paul,
I know that Tolkien was religious and saw his books as such; I didn’t think that was what we were discussing. I’m not exactly sure how it’s relevant to the idea of literary merit, either, which we seem to agree is something that lies outside the author’s motivations and passions, whether they’re faith-based or not.
Would it be fair of me to summarize the thesis of Josh’s article as essentially arguing that the Narnia books were good–on the level of their writing–because they were religious, and Pullman’s weren’t good–on the level of their writing–because they weren’t religious (and that the success of the films followed from this)? Is this the idea you’re defending?
Tristan,
Indeed, I believe that is the thesis of Josh’s article. I see that we are on the same page regarding motivation. I believe that is all that I am defending. I didn’t think my argument went anywhere beyond that.
I must say that I don’t agree with all of the demon stuff in The Golden Compass. The Chronicles of Narnia is like a timeless classic! The Golden Compass is not.
Wow, I’m surprised that the author of His Dark Materials turned out so bad if his grandfather was a minister! (I’m being sarcastic) I have never read any of the His Dark Materials series, but I don’t think I ever will. Just the title of the series is dark and not very uplifting. I mean, His Dark Materials? To me it sounds like he’s talking about these characters as being servants of the satan! It’s creepy and wrong!
No offense to anyone who likes the series, but I will never watch or read any of the movies/books from that series.
I pray he’ll have a change of heart and realize how wrong this stuff is! I mean, look what’s he’s saying through his books. He’s saying that everyone has a demon (in the form of an animal) who “watches out for them” or whatever. I don’t care. When The Golden Compass came out, there was major uproar from the Catholic churches and priests and all of them. I think they’re amazing for standing up for what they think is right (which is definitely NOT His Dark Materials). Thank you.
Your comment about the name “His Dark Materials” is frankly hilarious. It is a line from Paradise Lost by John Milton.
Also, I agree with Roger; I’m Catholic, and I still love these books. I find a lot in the books that agrees with the way I think about the afterlife (the land of the dead as purgatory, for example), and I think that dissolving and becoming in perfect union with everything, along with your daemon, is a beautiful way to describe heaven.
Sorry, I got a little over angry. I tend to do that towards thing I dislike.
Don’t apologize for being angry, apologize for bashing something you know little to nothing about. Your entire comment shows clearly how very misinformed you are about Pullman and his work; you even admit you have not and do not intend to read the books. How can you be so angry at something you don’t even know about?
For the record, I have never read the “His Dark Materials” series, so I cannot judge his writing. I dislike Phillip Pullman not because he is an atheist, but because of his scathing review of the Chronicles of Narnia and his condemnation of Christianity. He dislikes the Narnia series merely because they have Christian themes. Therefore, he thinks, since the Chronicles are Christian-themed, that they are full of “hatred,” an almost paradoxical assumption based on personal bias. I think the reason why Narnia has so much success is that it generally promotes a positive message of innocence, childhood goodness, life, and morality, while Pullman, by contrast, is known for promoting his series as “anti-Christian,” which is a negative message. If he simply kept his mouth shut about religion and published his novel as a simple fantasy series, he would probably have much more success. The majority of people nowadays are religious in some way (whatever religion or denomination), so something written by an author attacking religion would naturally not be successful. There is no real controversy over a wholesome children’s fantasy series written about 60 years ago, but there is a controversy over a new fantasy series written by an author with hateful speech. Whether the books promote Pullman’s hateful message, I cannot say, because I have never read them. They may, or they may not. It might even be an imaginative, thought-provoking read, but many people would not be interested in reading it because of the author’s statements, and because the Catholic Church has refuted them. I am a Catholic myself, and I strongly disagree with Pullman’s views, but that does not matter. Anyway, “His Dark Materials” are aimed at a teenage to adult audience, while the Narnia Chronicles are for all ages. Even very young readers can at least be familiar with and relate to the main characters. Friends and foes are clearly defined, and Narnia is a children’s classic. Narnia is family-friendly, not too dark, yet not sugar-coated, either. It’s stood up to the test of time. I don’t know if Phillip Pullman’s works will.
In the name of Aslan, I really should be doing my homework, but I’d much rather do this. Go Narnia! Aslan forever!
Pullman’s writing isn’t hateful but sometimes angry. He judges intolerance and violence against non-religious attitudes. Furthermore to keep his mouth is not an author’s business. His profession demands him to speak out his opinion, to challenge the circumstances of society. Being quiet about nuisances means to affirm them. If an author thinks that religion or religious groups are a nuisance against free will (what they are, in my opinion) then he can’t ignore this. He has to be honest to himself and to his readers.
NarniaFreak makes me sad. His prejudiced remarks (By his own admission, he has not read His Dark Materials.) demonstrate much that is wrong today with those of us who call ourselves Christians. What I don’t understand is the need to state an opinion when you are so obviously uninformed. Why not listen to those who have actually read the series, and then (if you prefer not to read it) at least form an opinion from more than the title and others who have not read it either!
The concept of daemon (NOT demon) is not the same as the devils in the Bible. Daemon is a word that just means “spirit,” and can refer to an angel, demon or the spirit (soul) of a human being. Pullman uses it in describing a theoretical word where people’s souls are visible. Lyra is surprised to find out that in most worlds people’s daemons (souls) are on the inside instead of visible.
That said, I will say that I am certainly much more of a fan of Lewis than Pullman. But, if you are going to criticize, it would become a Christian to be informed about what he is criticizing, or keep silent. You only give ammunition to those who reject our worldview. (“See how stupid those Christians are?”) As Lewis would say, “What do they teach in these schools today?”
Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it needs to be said.
I love The Golden Compass as a film & love the books but I think I still prefer Narnia. 😀
Ugh. This slanted article and all of these ridiculous comments make me embarrassed to like the Narnia series. Are you people really spouting angry opinions about books you haven’t read? And condemning somebody for having different beliefs than you? Maybe instead of frothing at the mouth about books you haven’t read, you should – oh, I don’t know – READ THEM, and then share your opinion?
Though I place Narnia below HP, LotR and HDM, I still like the series a great deal – especially The Magician’s Nephew. But man…y’all are not a group I’d like to be seen with. Hysterical, prejudiced, ignorant, embarrassing.
P.S. I believe in God.
Lord Asriel,
I appreciate your enthusiasm, however, if you go back and actually read the comments, they are not all “ridiculous comments.” And there are very few people that commented that hasn’t read the books. In fact, some of the comments come from people from HDM fansites. They’ve obviously read the books.
Please take some time to read through the comments as well as to cool down.
I have three young children and I did not let them go see The Golden Compass. I believe alot of people choice not to support the movie because of christian beliefs. So therefore I believe God was working toward putting a end to the movie through his people. Even my own Father bought the movie (The Golden Compass) for my children and I would not accept it and told him to take it back. I have taken my children to see the Narnia movies. And have also purchased them.
GOD IS GOOD!!! ALL THE TIME!!!
As is your right as a mother! Thanks for your comments! According to my friend Scott, who saw the movie while in Mexico, if it wasn’t so anti-Catholic it would just be a boring movie; instead it’s both boring and insulting.
actually, the movie sucks because it is NOT an accurate adaptation of the book. they heavily censored everything, including all references to religion, because they anticipated the loons protesting it. yet, the loons protested it anyway.
lol
is your Christian faith so fragile that a fantasy movie/book can shatter it?
evidently, the answer is yes.
Please… no insults to others on this site. It’s comments like that, that weaken your argument.
LordAsriel,
I have a simple question for you: Say your mother was receiving uncalled for insults and threats. Even though she could defend herself, would you not feel obliged to come to her aid? This is a similar feeling we Catholics and Christians have for our faith. You would not say that your mother was a weak, fragile person. Neither is Catholicism, which I may point out has been around for 2,000 years.
I love discussions! However, when it just turns into insults and angry comments, as Paul Martin points out, your argument is dreadfully weakened. Please, defend you views in a civil manner, which I believe most everybody else on this page has done.
lol
i’m calm homey. maybe you should read the comments again, because they all espouse an irritating let’s-cover-our-ears mentality toward anything not-Christianity, mixed with an idiotic my-thing-is-better-than-your-thing fanboyism. the suckage of the HDM movie has nothing to do with the quality of the HDM novels, because it was not an accurate adaptation of the novels.
looks like y’all should calm down, and stop being scared of looking at life from different perspectives.
honestly, i would WANT my kids to read and experience all kinds of different things, so they can grow and learn and think for themselves. not letting kids read/watch stuff because of sex, violence and language, fine. but not letting them read/watch stuff because of “scary ideas”? that’s messed up.
Challenge: quote every comment here, and show me where it matches your statement above.
Ahh Its nice to see a good article without any bias.
Oh wait wrong article. 😛
I also feel that its the half century between them which caused the difference in movie sales.
HDM is also aimed for a older audience.
Well that plus the US sales sucked due to the massive anti-HDM fuss right before the movie.
The Golden Compass was just a poorly adapted film. The complex storyline was poorly adapted into the film, leaving a lot of questions, and made for a confusing movie. The LWW, PC were much better adapted. Its as simple as that. Im sure the Golden Compass would have warranted a sequel had it been a decent adaptation. Controversy actually helps films… look at the Da Vinci Code and the upcoming Angels and Demons.
In my opinion the reason “Narnia” is more successful is simply that it is a better story – Lewis is better author than Pullman. Lewis might be a Christian and yes, there are strong Christian themes in the books, but in the same time the novels are not hitting your head with their message and also – and I might enrage some hardliners here – they ARE extremely tolerant. Aslan stated that if you are doing good in the name of Tash, you are doing it for him. You if you do evil in his name, you are doing it for Tash. Also Aslan is friend with Bacchus, although the movie skipped this.
Pullman, on the contrary, is an extremist. He HATES HATES HATES religion and constantly reminds us of that. His books are EXTREMELY preachy. The Golden Compass was OK, but the rest are tired atheist spam. He bashes religion so much, that it shadows the story. It was a hugely disappointing series.
However, I’d not say that “God is with one series and against the others”, because Dan Brown’s movies are very successful, while “Left Behind” are direct-to DVD trash.
Woah CALM DOWN PEOPLE
I (obviously) love Narnia, and I also really love the HIs Dark Materials Trilogy. I Think they’re both incredibly well written.
I’m a Christian, but HDM made me think about the beliefs of atheism for the first time. Similarly to Lewis, Pullman wrote about his beliefs in the context of a great fantasy story.
HOwever, I don’t think HDM would have translated well to the screen- i haven’t seen the movie. The way it was marketed didn’t appeal to me- I had a very vivid picture in my mind of the books and the world they were set in, and when i saw the trailer i was like, “That’s not Lyra!”. But i think i’ve heard HDM described as a children’s book written for adults, whereas i think Narnia is more a children’s book that adults can enjoy. As a result, the HDM movie wouldn’t have a clear target audience, as most of the deeper themes only become apparent in the later books, disappointing adults, and being maybe darker or not ‘magic enough’ for children.
One thing i would love to see is a debate between Lewis and Pullman. How epic would that be???
Well, this is a slanted article, but I should hope that we do not turn to look at how each author writes about relgion but more about their writing.
Firstly, ‘The Golden Compass’ is an awful, awful film, because the novels’ plots are more complex. With the Narnia films, they were handled much better.
My belief that ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ is more of a public success due to it’s age and love from its readers over generations, whereas ‘His Dark Materials’ is a fresh, new form of childrens’ ideas.
Well, in the way I see it’s more simple: TGC movie crashed because it wasn’t so good. I mean, at least the Narnia movies had their very ENDINGS in there.
New Line Cinema busted it up because thay made the biggest cinematographic stupidities one can make: cutting off the movie’s climax, and several (almost all of the) character development scenes. While Narnia movies still got both, so it’s nothing to do with tematics, it’s a purely cinematic question. After all, “Da Vinci Code” bashes the Church and it was a sucess nonethless, here it comes Angels and Demons movie.
ok, i know people are kind of upset by the article and think the books don’t deal with religion. but i have to say this, Narnia definately has DEEP Christian themes (Deep meaning they are hidden). the Themes are hidden, yes, so all people can enjoy them, but, the people who are Christian and deeply so, can enjoy them more because there are so many connections and not just some “obvious” ones like the scene at the stone table. the titles that Aslan gives the pevensies are the characterisitcs of God and Jesus. Peter represents St. Peter, Edmund is St. Pual and Lucy, i think, is St. Joan of Arc. i’m not really sure who Susan is supposed to represent. but there are so many reperesentations that you have to look for them and that’s what also makes it fun.
I have not seen The Golden Compass, but from what I hear about it, I’m not the least bit interested. I’m a Christian and the phrase “killing God” doesn’t give me the best feeling. I have noticed the deep Christian themes in the Chronicles of Narnia; that’s one of the reasons I love them so much. Even though there are witches and wizards in Narnia (I don’t know if there are any in the Golden Compass), but the wiches are always defeated and the wizards are on Aslan’s side. In my opinion, The Chronicles of Narnia are a MUCH better series.
This is in response to Mark Sommer at comment 15. I have read what other (who have read the book) are saying. I do have ears ya know. I’m not deaf, but I can agree to what you’re saying. Yes, I tend to over-react. (Why hide the fact when it shows in my comment?), but like you said, you need to respect what others think. Up there in my comment, I am just putting what I think. You don’t have to take it personally or anything. It’s not aimed at any individual.
Sorry if you don’t like me, but hey, it’s me. 🙂
i’m also replying to mark sommer (comment 15)
i have a question…are u a christian? well, i am. and i respect….actually i dont respect anything u said to narniafreak1lpf.
but i have read reviews of the book and movie and i have heard from people i trust what it is like. i am not that impressed. any series that has killing God….. wow i can’t even say anything. i am horrified that anyone would think of writing something like that. what is it teaching this generation? it is going against my God, who means everything to me. if you take part in praising this series its fine w/ me but dont you be slamming my people for our beliefs. just respect us.
Again to Mark Sommer (comment 15: Sorry if I’m bugging you): I understand if you think I’m prejudiced, but it’s just what I think so you can’t hold that against me.
I have listened/read of those who HAVE read the series, and many say good things about it. I do not, personally, care whether they like it or not, but I can not handle it.
So, you’re saying there’s a difference between a daemon who’s technically a “spirit” and a demon who’s also technically a “spirit”? I’d like to know the difference between the two. If you can give me a reference, quote, dictionary definition, anything that explains the difference between these two “spirits” are you call them, I will back off, but until then, I will not stop standing up for what I believe it right and true!
Yes, I see that what you say is “meant to be sad”. I am more capable of understanding what others believe than you’d think (since you thinks so lowly of me).
No, I am not in a public, private, Christian or Catholic school. I am Home-schooled as a matter of fact. I am a follower of Christ (notice that I don’t say I’m a Christian since so many people have screwed up views of what a Christian is today: sadly) as well as my family.
This is all my personal opinion so you ABSOLUTELY can NOT be offended! I mean, I am not at all offended by what you said about my comment. I see your view of it (I am not daft). This may sound very rough, but I think I need to let it out. You are “offended” (loosely put because I don’t know you) by what I put when you should know (or you do know but chose to forget it) that all the comments put up here are all personal opinion and not like “you need to repent”!
Be more open-minded please. You need to respect how others feel.
I know, I sound like a mean “Christian”, but when you take it apart and look at each individual piece, it will all come together. I did that with your comment so don’t be so prejudiced against me. You don’t know me.
this is for Mark Sommer, Comment 15. I agree with narniafreak1lpf and MC3. Mr. Sommer, you’re saying that if we Christians are being attacked we shouldn’t stand up for ourselves????? Bull!!! I am a Catholic, and a good one to, i’ve been home schooled for my faith and you practically attack. i’m sorry if i’m being mean, but when Christians are attacked, we will fight back. believe it or not, but where i go to school right now, i’m quite. but when some one gets out of line abouit my faith, there’s a fire in my eyes you DON’T want to see. I’ve heard that the HDM series aren’t good to read because they teach athiest beliefs and i didn’t hear that from the article above. i understand people will put their opinions on here, but they also might have to be prepared for a defensive croud too. i’m expecting one.
opps, replyed to the wrong one
– I am very sorry but this article is totally and 100% biased.
– I love the Narnia series but please do not use your lack of credible information and unintelligence to put down the His Dark Materials series.
– About the movies; yes the Golden Compass movie was not as great as expected but that is not the fault of the book, that is because they did not adapt the story to film well. (BTW it has been produced on stage many many times, movies are not the only factor in fame
– Pullman is not out to “kill God”, he simply wants us to think about what we want and choose to believe in, and to not just accept what we are spoon fed. (BTW many Catholics and religious people love this series.)
– There are also many Catholic or religious symbols in the HDM works such as angels, sprits / souls ect…
– Lastly I want to remind every one that we don’t ban or put down books about zombies or vampires even when those things are fictional and don’t exist, the same holds true fro HDM. You can appreciate the great story it is even if its not what you believe in or you can slander it and look like a fool.
– Eric
yes Eric, people can enjoy books if they do or do not see their deeper meaning. but unfortunately for me, if i can see that something’s bashing my faith, i will refuse to read it. it’s already happened once to me at school. granted this was in 6th grade and i didn’t know much at that point; but, there was a book i didn’t like because it took God’s name in vain so much, i told my mom and she read it. she wrote a note to my teacher, and i didn’t have to read the book.
by the way, Pullman was quoted
I just read the His Dark Material series. It is one of the most trashy, anti-intelligent, vile, spiteful series I have ever read. I’m not quite done with the final book I only have four chapters left but it is trash. I don’t even know where the freaking climax was.
I remember when the movie came out and I wasn’t allowed to see it because of at the end they killed God.
Regardless of whether people view the two series as religiousness vs irreligiousness I personally think that Pullman’s His Dark Materials outdid Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia as a literary series. CON is probably more famous and better remembered by comparison but HDM is definitely more well-written and innovative in my eyes. The history of literature is a history of authors/writers outshining one another with their creations and if I manage to write a really well-written and successful book or books and an aspiring author after me writes something similar yet better than what I wrote than if I’m currently still living I’ll try not to be bitter about it but proud and I would want to congratulate the author in question and shake her or his hand on a job well done. Some people might not like what Phillip Pullman wrote compared to what C.S. Lewis but that doesn’t make HDM any less excellent as a piece of writing. The less well-known book/books aren’t always necessarily the less well-written.