Sep
5
Okay, I finished The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, Book 2) by Philip Pullman. While suffering a bit from middle book syndrome, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Part of me feels like it didn’t have its own story and only served as set up for the final book, but I suppose that’s the way these things work. What exactly was The Empire Strikes Back about, anyway?
I worried about the introduction of Will Parry and his interference with Lyra, who I loved, and was disappointed that she played a smaller role this time around. But as you assured me, I learned to love Will, and this book was really his story, and I could appreciate it. I wasn’t crazy about the way Will’s maturity made Lyra’s outgoingness (totally a word) seem almost bratty, but it did give Lyra a chance to grow as a character, and I look forward to seeing where they both go in the final book.
I was also disappointed with the small amount of page time dedicated to Mrs. Coulter. Again, this book was more about Will, but I was completely captivated by every scene involving her and her evil golden monkey, so I was just longing for more. But I guess that’s a good thing, right? Keep me wanting more, rather than giving me too much and getting overloaded.
I’m incredibly interested in seeing where the story goes. There are a lot of things going on (What role does the awesome Mary Malone figure into all this? What are the Spectres? What about the Angels?) and it’s hard to tell who’s good and who’s evil, but I suppose all will be revealed in due time. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the final book, The Amber Spyglass, so I hope I’m not disappointed. Although I have a tendency to like my stories wrapped up nice and neat (“What? You mean Jack and Ennis don’t live happily ever after? What a crappy movie!”) so I may have to lower my expectations going in, because if The Subtle Knife taught me anything, it’s that stories rarely get wrapped up with a nice cute bow around them.
Let’s discuss things in a bit more spoilery detail in the comment section, shall we? Just no spoilers for Book 3 please!
September 5th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I have neither read any of these books nor seen the movie, so I got nothing. Not even any spoilers for you. But something to bear in mind…the butler ALWAYS does it!
HUGS..
September 5th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I haven’t read either of the books or seen the first (will there be more?) movie, but anyting that has an evil golden monkey sounds pretty good.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:12 am
wow, where is everybody?
I read the books 5 or 6 years ago and while I can remember lots of things from 1 and 3, the only thing I remember from 2 is that Will appeared. I liked him a lot better than Lyra, but found the way his and his father’s story was ‘resolved’ to be totally arbitrary. Methinks Mr. Pullman entertains a little god-complex himself.
Book 3 has lots of fascinating ideas about life, death, life after death, god, angels etc. and was a great read, but at the end I threw it into a corner and only touched the books again to donate them.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Craig - this has nothing to do with the book, but I sure did have one weird dream about you last night.
One of those deals where you wake up and go “Hummmm. I needz shrink?”
September 5th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Amy: Oh my! I need details!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I haven’t had any dreams about you Craig, but I have read all three books.
I really enjoyed the Subtle Knife, not as much as Compass, but certainly enough. I found the initial switch to Will a little jarring especially after the end of the first book. I was confused, but went with it and it paid off.
I like Will as a character. I especially liked the combination of his parentification and idol worship of his father. Like you, I wasn’t too keen on how his maturity played out with Lyra, but most of those scenes were in his world vs. hers, so it made sense.
I loved the scene when he became the bearer of the knife. I found myself forgetting that he was only about 12 and that scene when he is fighting the older brother is a great reminder of his youth as well as his courage and tenacity.
Mrs. Coulter and her evil little monkey show up more in the third book. She is one tough broad. I’ve said this before, but it freaks me out that you don’t hear the monkey speak in the first two books, while all the other daemons do.
There are a few things I didn’t like involving the other characters (Lee Scorsby), but I can’t remember what happens in book 2 vs. 3 and I don’t want to spoil it.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:20 am
john: I definitely agree. I kept forgetting how old they were. They came across so much older, but it was definitely still believable. It just gave his character so much strength and likeability.
And poor Lee Scoresby. I cried.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I was disappointed about Lee. I also didn’t like what happened afterwards. I understand it, but I still didn’t like it.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:45 am
At least Lee went out like a hero. I was on the train while reading that and it was slightly embarrassing. But the moment between him and Hester was so sweet.
I didn’t understand the moment between Will and his Dad. It was too tragic for me, and I didn’t like it one bit. There could have been a bit more connection before it happened.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I agree, the moment with Hester was great and heart wrenching- I can totally understand that it brought on tears. The guilt and regret were tough to read.
I agree completely agree about Will and his dad. I wanted them to have more time together and was a little pissed that we got robbed of their moment.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
The Hester/Scoresby moment was one of my top two moments in the series. The other one is how book 3 ends. Get excited!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
In book 3, Sirius Black escapes from Azkaban prison and goes looking for Harry Potter. Everyone assumes he wants to kill Harry but we later find out he’s actually Harry’s godfather!
I AM THE KING OF SPOILERS!!!
September 5th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Oh, you’re funny Brian. *said with just a “touch” of sarcasm*
September 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
john: Seriously. You read the entire book just waiting for that moment and it was absolutely ruined. Ugh! Women!
Eric: I’m excited!
Brian F: You are a dork. And clearly I mean that as a good thing.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Craig: Totally. I’ll refrain from further comment on that issue as they are spoiler related.
Brian F.: That totally made me snort! For the record, Azkaban is my least favorite of the books and movies.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
“Ugh! Women!”
Hey! Should I be offended now and storm off in a huff? Or maybe I should just go shopping for shoes.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
john: Least favorite of the movies?! It was the BEST movie! A great movie that took the franchise in the direction it needed to go! Yes, lots of stuff from the book was cut out, but it was by far the most fun, adventurous, and visually appealing of the bunch. (In my most humble opinion.)
Tam: LOL! You know what would make you feel better? Cooking me dinner.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hey, I might be in NYC for a week in March. We’ll have an apartment, come by for dinner. It would be my honor to redeem my gender in your eyes.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Tam: Sweet! That would be great!
September 5th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
This one was my favourite of the three. I think it was the ending, which was up there with Darth Vader freezing Han Solo. I love the middle parts: the bad guy always wins!
September 5th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Craig: I don’t disagree that the movie took the franchise where it needed to go, but I didn’t like it that much. I think that is because it is my least favorite book. Now, Goblet of Fire, that’s a book.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I got nothing, but if you will forgive me for being off topic, The second season of Terminator, The Sarah Conner Chronicles premieres monday night. I just hope they have the same excellent writers that they had for the first “short” season.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
john: Goblet of Fire was a great book, but I was disappointed with the movie. It was just too disjointed and Dumbledoore was kind of a jerk.
Mark: I can’t wait for Sarah Connor to start up again. I loved last season. Not much smarts, but loads of clever action on the same level as 24.
My favorite new show from last season was Pushing Daisies. I absolutely adored that show and can’t wait for it to start up again!
September 6th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Craig: It should have been two movies. There was too much to fit into one movie. I also agree that Dumbledor was a jerk. I thought Michael Gambon played it wrong. The scene that displays this best is just after Harry’s name comes out of the goblet and Dumbledor runs over to him like a lunatic “Did you put your name in the goblet of fire!??!!” I swear Radcliffe had to wipe the spit off his face.
September 6th, 2008 at 10:21 am
john: Totally! That scene was horrendous and completely out of character!
October 20th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
What you must understand about the middle book, is that this is now the introduction of “Adam”, and the book must revolve around Will a bit more than Lyra. Her book was the first, his is more or less he second, and the third will be the fulfillment of either them becoming the “Adam and Eve” who starts the new world order, or the ones who will fail, and let evil finally take hold over all worlds.
As well, this book introduces perhaps the most important artifact ever: the knife. THis knife is what allowed the worlds to be intermingled, let dust escape (or intrude) on a grander scale than the mere cracks.
Book three is by far my favorite. If you enjoyed the other two, even as decent reading, the third delivers, and the ending….well, it is fantastic.
I have read through the entire series a few times over the last few years, and the books are better each time.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I agree on Gambon playing Dumbledore, btw. Totally ignorant as to the kindliness exhibited by Dumby in the books. At the end of the HBP (movie), when Gambon gets killed, I fear there will be more cheers than sadness
PS…Every HP book is perfect, and every movie can barely scratch this perfection
October 20th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Thanks Bill! I finished the final book recently. You can see my review here:
http://puntabulous.com/2008/10/01/the-amber-spyglass-review/