Book Sixteen

[ellyssian]

Book #16: His Dark Materials book two: The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

This one went quicker than expected, especially given a few days off due to lost sleep and the need to find some of it ASAP. I intended to read a chapter last night, and somehow ended up finishing the book in short order. So tempting to just keep going and jump into (and finish) the third one as well...

I could basically parrot the bit I wrote on book one, amplify it a bit, and it would be wholly accurate. Essentially, it does what a good second book of a trilogy should do - it carries you along, building your interest/excitement/etc., so that you reach the grand finale in style.

There's a lot more development of the characters, and the understanding of the world(s) the book is written in deepens. The stage is set for the finale, all the whirling pieces are in their places, and a suitable level of drama regarding the scope of what may happen next has been revealed.

I noticed that the first book of this series is titled both "The Golden Compass" and "Northern Lights" - I am not aware whether that was a change from one printing to another, or from one country of distribution to another. Upon polishing off this, "The Subtle Knife", and about to forge onward to "The Amber Spyglass", I am of the opinion that keeping the volumes named for the artifact that is featured in each is the more suitable choice. I mention this only because I was thinking the other title might have been more suitable prior to reading the second book.

Crossposted to 50bookchallenge and me own journal.

Comments

[mooseloon.livejournal.com]

northern lights was changed to the golden compass for printing in the US. I"m not sure if there were any other changes.

Why do publishers think that they need seperate editions for the uk & the us? I *loved* all the terminology i picked up from reading the chronicals of narina.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

I'd much rather see the UK terminology and spelling in works by UK authors. I suppose the publishers think that US audiences will fail to understand it.

In my own writing, I tend to use the UK spelling a lot, but I don't attempt to change my vocabulary. In such work I am trying to evoke a feeling of antiquity, so UK or US slang is right out. Unless, of course, it fits. =)

[wakingdreaming.livejournal.com]

Stop there! Just stop there! DO NOT read the third book! It is total crap. You'd be better off sitting down and writing your own third book in the trilogy. I'm sure it would be better written and it would almost certainly make MUCH more sense than what Pullman wrote, or claimed he wrote while secretly employing a bored twelve year old, mildly retarded girl to phone in for him.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

Now I have to get to it that much quicker! =)

I'm surprised the quality would drop that much, although that often tends to happen with trilogies and series - especially those that aren't completely written prior to publication.

The author may be able to keep the tone and character of the work up for a book or two, but then starts to lose control as the ending grows nearer.

Although I haven't decided if Harry Potter went/will go this way, I almost expect it, given delays (especially with the previous book) and growing expectations.

Ah well, we shall see...

[phantom_wolfboy]

IMO, the third book was just fine. Wrapped things up very nicely.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

I asked my son what he thought about it, and he said he didn't notice a change in style, although he did say it bounced around from one character to another a lot more than the second did.

I managed the first handful of pages last night, but was too tired to get very far...