The Subtle Knife is about as good as the Northern Lights (known in the Great White North as The Golden Compass), but The Amber Spyglass lays it on a bit thick with the gnosticism. Very unsubtle.

You wouldn't, perchance, have read the Lemony Snicket series of unfortunate events, would you?

Phillip Pullman is, ironically, God.

For me, The Subtle Knife is the best of the series - mixing in a touch of sci-fi to the fantasy, and a harder (even nastier) edge to much of the action. And yeah, while I see what you mean about The Amber Spyglass being a tad unsubtle, I think it's wonderful that a children's author - hell, any author - has an actual manifesto that he's writing to, has something he so passionately wants to say. And, darn it, the ending made me cry like a great big girl.

One of the best series of novels ever ('ever' in this case meaning 'that I happen to have read', obviously...), coming a close second behind O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin books. And don't get me started on them...

The audio version narrated by the author and performed by a talented troupe of vocal actors is well worth the price. It's perfect for long driving trips across country.

I'm thinking this is one fantasy series which would be awfully difficult to film successfully, partly because of the effects, but also because of the sheer number of scenes packed into the three books.

In the Amber Spyglass (one of the winners of the Whitbread Awards two years ago - http://www.literature-awards.com/whitbread_book_awards.htm), I thought the action dragged a little in those parts not featuring the two main characters. Some of the scenes had just been built up beyond the ability of any author to deliver on the reader's expectations, perhaps.

I always rejoice when people discover Philip Pullman. More people need to know about his books! His work before the "His Dark Materials" trilogy is more for kids but this stuff is high school and up for sure... I was crying too by the end of it and in fact at numerous points during the series. The sacrifices that Lyra has to make are intense!

I really liked them too, although the "message" in the third book somewhat overtook the story. The trilogy is still a darn fine read tho'.His earlier books (The Sally Lockhart books -Tiger in the Smoke etc). are fun too if slightly more juvenile. Go read now :-)

I seem to be reading a lot of children's books recently - and feeling a lot better for it. I'm in the middle of Phillip Reeve's Mortal Engines at the moment which is most enjoyable. I'd also thoroughly recommend Kevin Crossley-Holland's Arthur books (The Seeing Stone, At the crossing-places, etc.).

I have to agree that the Borrible Trilogy is *excellent*. I read the first two when I was very young. So many scenes from the book stayed with me (death by catapult, that scene with the spade, etc.). I was so happy when I saw the trilogy in the bookshop - I'd been looking for them for years and I didn't even know there was a volume three. Go read it now if you've not done it already! (Do non-UK people get the whole Rumble/Womble riff?)

The BBC dramatised HDM on Radio 4 last year. This page has the actors involved, and you can hear their voices as a sort of sample.

The CD is available here.

The BBC also have a Links page about the books.

ahh, yes the third book does lay it on think, but you know what I DONT CARE.. it is still wonderful and rich. the story continues to be emotional and compelling.

having an agenda actually seems to build a much stronger voice in the book. by the end of it you can feel no doubt that this is a unique author.

i have not heard the audio edition read by the author, but the bbc did a radio dramatisation ealier this year, 3 episodes, each about 2 hours long (therefore abridged) but that was excellent. I so do NOT want to see a film of this trilogy, instead i just re-listen to this radio play (Terrence Stamp plays Lord Azrial)..