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The Bargain Nexus - His Dark Materials Omnibus (His Dark Materials)
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List Price: $26.99
Our Price:
Your Save: $ 26.99 ( 100% )
Availability:
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Library Binding
EAN: 9780375947223
ISBN: 0375947221
Label: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 944
Publication Date: 2007-04-10
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release Date: 2007-04-10
Studio: Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Comment: I loved the trilogy! I couldn't stop reading, Pullman's story-telling talents are intoxicating! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read and to be entertained.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing!
Comment: I've always loved the classic fantasy works of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, LeGuin and most recently, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. However, my absolute favorite is His Dark Materials. Not only is it a bold interpretation of Paradise Lost, another one of my favorite reads, but it's full of completely new ideas, characters, and theories; not to mention it's coming from a completely different philosophical perspective. The idea of parallel universes was enough for me to get hooked. The Golden Compass is probably the slowest reads of the series, but it serves the purpose as being an introduction. Once you read the the Subtle Knife, you will be completely mesmerized; not to mention this series has one of the greatest and most heartbreaking endings ever in the Amber Spyglass. Pullman is a master story-teller and I will never get over the fact that he chose to use a young girl as the main hero - and is able to write her perspective brilliantly.
Customer Rating:
Summary: 1 OK, 2 what?, 3 will this ever end?
Comment: As and elementary teacher I have read a lot of books, I read just about anything. So as usual when I heard that they made this series into a movie I decided to read the books before watching the movie. I went into the series with an open mind and some excitement. I found the Golden Compass well written and entertaining. So I quickly moved to The Subtle Knife only to be greatly disapointed. It moved into some VERY strange directions and my interest and energy to read the book started to lessen. By the time I got to the end I was confused and happy I had finally gotten through. With much less excitement I moved on to book three The Amber Spyglass only to constantly think WHAT??? I had to force myself to finish the book. The only reason I did was because I wanted to see if the book could somehow pull it self out the the huge hole it had dug. Nope, didn't happen. By the time I got to the end of the VERY depressing ending I was so relieved to just be finished. I was also left very confused and sad that what started out as a nice read ended up so badly.
I will also add that I tried VERY hard to put my beliefs aside as I read this book so that I could read it with an open mind. But time and time again I was hit with subtle and not so subtle messages. Enough said.
Having said that I did not give this book 1 star for its anti Christian/God message. I gave it 1 star for a VERY poorly written series. As others before me have said if you must, go to your library and check out the Golden Compass and enjoy, but don't waste your time trying to struggle through the next two books or you like me will regret your wasted time. Or I hate to say, rent the movie, it is fairly close to the book and will only take a few hours of your time.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great series
Comment: His Dark Materials is a really good series of books. I've never been much for fantasy, nor have I read a lot of children's books. Harry Potter looks boring, so I've stayed away. My draw to these books started with a an e-mail forward last Christmas, one of those alarmist e-mails trying to convince me to boycott the movie due to its "atheist themes."...I wanted to see what all the controversy was about, what could rile up the e-mail mob.
Pullman's story is fascinating. Yes, his story does challenge authoritarianism and dogma. He does so in a way that not only entertains, but provokes thoughts, forcing the reader to challenge his beliefs on human nature. The story isn't necessarily anti-God, as much as it deconstructs the mythology we've created around the worship of God. This theme isn't in any way heavy handed...the story is also one of two children growing up and developing their own worldview.
Despite all the symbolism and controversy, these are 3 very good books that were fun to read.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Imaginative fantasy
Comment: This is one of the most original fantasies I have read in a long time. I found it a good read. The first book is by far the best of the three. However, I think parents should read them first before deciding to give them to their children. These are very dark stories. The first book alone includes murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, torture, and betrayal. It is hard to know who is the good guy, and who is the villain. It is also openly anti-church (not that I had a problem with that, but some people might).
It is interesting that Pullman, an atheist, has written a trilogy that is actually profoundly spiritual. The positive themes (yes, there are some) include friendship, loyalty, honor, cleaning up messes ( both the ones you have made and those of others ), keeping your word, and generally trying to do the right thing. Pullman presents a different concept of "soul" than has previously been explored.
All in all this is a thought-provoking work, and worth the read, but I would say NOT suitable for younger children.
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Editorial Reviews:
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FOR THE FIRST time, all three books of Philip Pullman's award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass) will be published in their entirety in one volume. Perfect for both new and established Pullman fans who want to read (or reread) the whole trilogy before The Golden Compass movie debuts on December 7, 2007, this handsome 6 x 9 omnibus will feature every word of the trilogy as well as Philip Pullman's chapter opening art. Also, new and exclusive to this edition: Philip Pullman has written two pages of new vignettes for each book in the trilogy. Readers will be delighted to discover these intriguing new passages at the end of each book's section in the omnibus.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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