At the moment everyone is talking of the movie (and hence comparing it to the books).
Interestingly enough - but I read all the the books n English couple of years ago - while I remained neutral (and the hints and the theology bothered me, as I guess I am an atheist), my friend columbina (who, granted, LIKES to have grouchy opinions)wrote about the books (http://columbina.livejournal.com/141559.html):
"I read the first two books of the trilogy and although I felt there were some excellent characterizations (notably Lyra), Pullman wields an even larger and more clumsy Rhetorical Hammer than many of his ideological opponents. Seriously, The Subtle Knife is the only subtle thing in these books. They are also so relentlessly depressing that I never bothered to read the third book - and for me to not finish out a trilogy two-thirds in is pretty amazing. I recognize the idea that sometimes you have to make bad things happen to your good guys, but Pullman wants to take no prisoners. If I want to read that sort of attitude in the service of a discussion about theology, I will read James Morrow, who is a better writer."
And I have to add that when I had no problem with reading the Pullmann trilogy, the only book by Morrow I have tried - "Only Begotten Daughter" - is still not finished, as it IS incredibly depressing (even if there were some fun parts, I do agree, in the beginning) ...
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Interestingly enough - but I read all the the books n English couple of years ago - while I remained neutral (and the hints and the theology bothered me, as I guess I am an atheist), my friend
"I read the first two books of the trilogy and although I felt there were some excellent characterizations (notably Lyra), Pullman wields an even larger and more clumsy Rhetorical Hammer than many of his ideological opponents. Seriously, The Subtle Knife is the only subtle thing in these books. They are also so relentlessly depressing that I never bothered to read the third book - and for me to not finish out a trilogy two-thirds in is pretty amazing. I recognize the idea that sometimes you have to make bad things happen to your good guys, but Pullman wants to take no prisoners. If I want to read that sort of attitude in the service of a discussion about theology, I will read James Morrow, who is a better writer."
And I have to add that when I had no problem with reading the Pullmann trilogy, the only book by Morrow I have tried - "Only Begotten Daughter" - is still not finished, as it IS incredibly depressing (even if there were some fun parts, I do agree, in the beginning) ...