His Dark Materials

Official Website for His Dark Materials: http://www.philip-pullman.com/hdm

His Dark Materials, written by Phillip Pullman, is a trilogy of fantasy novels aimed at young adults. The series follows the adventures of Lyra and Will as they travel through and across parallel worlds, attempting to uncover the meaning of the mysterious substance known as Dust while each searching for something precious they have lost.

The trilogy has faced numerous criticisms and ranks highly on the American Library Association’s banned books list. In most cases, the books were criticized for their atheist message and challenge towards organized religion.

The first novel in the trilogy, The Golden Compass, received a live-action film adaptation in 2007. However, this film was poorly received and no follow-up films were produced.

Other adaptations include a BBC radio drama, an unabridged set of audiobooks narrated by Phillip Pullman, a theatrical production, and an upcoming BBC television series.

Pullman has also written two short stories related to the series – Lyra’s Oxford (2003) and Once Upon a Time in the North (2008).

Lyra’s Oxford (His Dark Materials #3.5), published in 2003, is a 64 page story that begins when Lyra and Pantalaimon (her daemon) guide a lost daemon to an alchemist living in a part of Oxford called Jericho. Their journey becomes far more dangerous than Lyra anticipates as they embark on a new adventure.

Once Upon a Time in the North (His Dark Materials #0.5) is a prequel to the His Dark Materials Series and tells the story of Lyra’s friend Lee Scoresby, an aeronaut, and his eventual friendship with the armored polar bear Iorek Byrnison who Lyra comes to know later in the series. Lee Scoresby becomes entangled in a dangerous plot between a deadly killer, a corrupt mayoral candidate, and an oil magnate.

Books in the His Dark Materials trilogy:

The Golden Compass (originally known in the U.K. as Northern Lights). Published 1995.

The Subtle Knife. Published 1997.

The Amber Spyglass. Published 2000.

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