Nikia
New member
A friend of mine sent this to me and it is an article she found on a LOTR forum.
'His Dark Materials' Writer Philip Pullman Takes 'Narnia,' 'Lord Of The Rings' To Task
I've never read any of Pullman's work before and so I can't say much in regard to his work, but I did find this article of great interest. After reading it I doubt I could ever read any of his work because I can't read an author who I don't respect.
On the other forum in which this discussion was first seen, I read a few comments regarding Pullman wanting Nicole Kidman to play Mrs. Coulter and that he had always had her in mind. That said it seems (from what I understand of his work) that he is willing to let his message get lost within special effects and fighting polar bears. His message (correct me if I am wrong) is to allow for a world where the church does not have the power it has (kidnapping children to stop Dust, correct?) Once again I have never read his work, but this is what I have been told and gathered from articles about the book and movie. I find it interesting that his overall message can be lost, whereas Lewis and Tolkien would rather have their message in a movie rather than lots of hubbub and sales to make some blockbuster.
I don't lose respect for Pullman because he has such negative view of religions, but because he rips authors like Tolkien and Lewis down for having positive views on the church. For a gifted author (which I assume he is if his work has gained such recognition) he seems to completely misunderstand the messages represented in Narnia and Middle-Earth.
I'd like to see what people think of Pullman's comments regarding Lewis and Tolkien's work in regards to his own.
'His Dark Materials' Writer Philip Pullman Takes 'Narnia,' 'Lord Of The Rings' To Task
I've never read any of Pullman's work before and so I can't say much in regard to his work, but I did find this article of great interest. After reading it I doubt I could ever read any of his work because I can't read an author who I don't respect.
I feel Pullman is being too harsh on Lewis' beliefs. As though he is unable to write a captivating novel because his view is different from Pullman's on the subject of God.The 'Narnia' books are full of serious questions about religion: 'Which God should we worship? Is there a God at all? What happens when we die?' The questions are all there, but I don't like Lewis' answers.
On the other forum in which this discussion was first seen, I read a few comments regarding Pullman wanting Nicole Kidman to play Mrs. Coulter and that he had always had her in mind. That said it seems (from what I understand of his work) that he is willing to let his message get lost within special effects and fighting polar bears. His message (correct me if I am wrong) is to allow for a world where the church does not have the power it has (kidnapping children to stop Dust, correct?) Once again I have never read his work, but this is what I have been told and gathered from articles about the book and movie. I find it interesting that his overall message can be lost, whereas Lewis and Tolkien would rather have their message in a movie rather than lots of hubbub and sales to make some blockbuster.
I don't lose respect for Pullman because he has such negative view of religions, but because he rips authors like Tolkien and Lewis down for having positive views on the church. For a gifted author (which I assume he is if his work has gained such recognition) he seems to completely misunderstand the messages represented in Narnia and Middle-Earth.
I'd like to see what people think of Pullman's comments regarding Lewis and Tolkien's work in regards to his own.