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By: Catherine,
on 3/31/2016
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Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkein, and Philip Pullman are three of the many great writers to come out of Oxford, whose stories are continually reimagined and enjoyed through the use of media and digital technologies. The most obvious example for Carroll's Alice in Wonderland are the many adaptations in [...]
The post A reimagined Wonderland, Middle-earth, and material world appeared first on OUPblog.
I was very excited to read about a new short story by Philip Pullman, featuring the nefarious and fabulous Mrs. Colter, that is being released today in the UK as an Audible.uk exclusive. Unfortunately and frustratingly “The Collectors” is not available in the US and Audible, when I asked, had no information as to when it would be. So for now we Americans have to make do with the below tantalizing excerpt read by Bill Nighy.
But wait, Pullman fans, there’s more; this in the Guardian article about The Book of Dust:
He said today: “It’s three pages longer this morning than it was this time yesterday, and … I’ll do another three pages today. It’s going steadily. But it’s a big book and it’s spreading out in the way I discussed, and I keep having to discover which ways are fruitful for the story to go in, and which are not. It’s a long process.”
Pullman promised: “I’m aiming to finish this next year. Then it’s a fairly lengthy process of editing. But I’m well on my way and proceeding steadily.”
Be still my heart!
By:
Inderjit Deogun,
on 10/13/2011
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The Pen Stroke | A Publishing Blog
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What am I reading now? The Tree Girl by Darlene Twerdochlib
The New York Times‘ Maria Tatar published an article entitled “No More Adventures in Wonderland” on Sunday, October 9, 2011. The premise of the piece is the prevalence of darkness in children’s literature. Tatar contends that “[c]hildren today get an unprecedented dose of adult reality in their books, sometimes without the redemptive beauty, cathartic humor and healing magic of an earlier time.”
My issue with Tatar’s article is not her vehemence against darkness; I made my thoughts clear on the subject with my post Darkness Too Visible. Instead, my issue springs from the books she calls upon to give validity to her argument: J.K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter, Philip Pullman‘s “His Dark Materials” and Suzanne Collins‘ The Hunger Games. Tatar uses these books to exhibit that “the savagery we offer children today is more unforgiving than it once was … we have stories about children who struggle to survive.” The truth is, these books are detrimental to her argument because they do not fall under the genre of children’s literature. They come under the umbrella of young adult literature.
The book industry is a business like any other and the aforementioned books wouldn’t be published if there wasn’t a market for them. So, perhaps, the issue isn’t the existence of darkness in children’s literature but rather why it is so prevalent in young adult literature.
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“No More Adventures in Wonderland” as of 1/1/1900
Pullman, author of the amazing Dark Materials Trilogy, (which I plan to reread around Christmas, it's an awesome cold-weather read) is expert at taking large, complex ideas and making them accessible for kids. In this case, rather than a making a deftly crafted treatise against organized religion, Pullman turns his eye on storytelling. And, 
in less than two hundred pages, he doesn't just address the writer's side, but also the process in which stories are created and the many mechanisms within stories that make them move forward. Hence the very apt comparison to clocks, which are, throughout the entire story, a relentless motif. That was my reading of it.
But what really makes this book awesome is that it's a good, straight ahead story, too. It boasts a rich cast of characters, including a brave young heroine, an overwhelmed clockmaker, a writer and a man who may or may not be the devil himself. It does have a few scary moments (murders can be rough for the more sensitive readers and this one is pretty visceral), and so generally I would recommend it for ages eight and up to avoid nightmares with the younger, precocious readers who read above their level. It's not as creepy as Coraline, by Neil Gaiman (which I also totally recommend, a succinct, fun but totally creeperiffic) which I have received more than one angry customer complaint about on the grounds that it is too, too scary. But it IS scarier than, say, a Roald Dahl book, even if that headmistress CAN chuck you into the great, blue yonder.
This guy is what I'm working on currently. I'm going for "early morning tired and stiff" rather than "old and decrepit". Still have to work out the plaid and some fussy details. And the tail. I have to imagine being a "just got out of bed and getting the morning paper" mouse, and figure out what my tail would be doing.
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And here's the "P" in the black yarn illuminated letter series. I did A, B, C, D and skipped through to P! I haven't CafePressed or Zazzled it yet. I'll letcha know when I do.
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I finished reading "The Subtle Knife", the sequel to "The Golden Compass", and have to say I liked it a lot better than the first one! Not sure why. I liked the first one, I just liked this one better. It ended with a cliffhanger though, so now I'm onto Book 3. (This is the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman in case you didn't know.)
And what I didn't know is that he's also written "Lyra's Oxford" and a couple others, illustrated with beautiful woodcuts by John Lawrence.
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I won't say "Happy" Memorial Day, because that wouldn't be right. Its a solemn day if you choose to observe it, truly. They're having a parade here near me and I made the huge mistake earlier of going out to do a shopping errand, and couldn't even get out onto the main road in the direction I wanted to go. We were all herded the other way, and I was caught in this bizarre procession of cars and an army marching band and people with kids up on their shoulders, watching, and people eating hot dogs and policemen and more people and sundry other parade-y things, so I just got off the road and looped my way back home. The errand can wait until tomorrow!
All images are © Paula Pertile and may not be copied or used for any reason.
By:
Paula Pertile,
on 4/14/2008
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Is it Monday already? Where did the weekend go? Oh I know... taxes. hissssssss
I woke up this morning with a knot the size of Kansas in my back, which makes it pretty hard to do anything more than lay in bed and read all day. (Funny how your body forces you to take a day off once in a while, huh?)
Luckily a while back I stocked up on a few treats. Since I was up anyway making some Tater Tots (hey, its a "sick day", junk food is allowed) I thought I'd might as well blog about them (the treats, not the Tater Tots).
First up is Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!
This book is just charming!
Here's a nice little review of it, before it won the Newbery Medal.
And here is another nice article in the Medieval News blog about Ms. Schlitz and the book.
And Robert Byrd, the illustrator, has a cool slideshow of the books illustrations on his website.
I'd say that if you're into anything Medieval, or like plays, or would just like to read something refreshing, this is a good choice! I'm loving it.
My "read in bed at night" book right now is "The Golden Compass", which I'm aaaaaalmost finished with. I'm glad I bought the whole "His Dark Materials" trilogy so I can just dive right into the next one.
No, I haven't seen the movie. But I've seen enough trailers to have a hard time NOT picturing Nicole Kidman as I'm reading. Oh well.
This next book is more like "work", but its good:
I'd Rather Be in the Studio just says it all doesn't it?
This woman is good. She has a website. She just nails you on all the stuff you don't want to do to get yourself out there. I'm in kind of a "I need a makeover" mode right now and am looking for some guidance. Her advice is more for 'fine' artists than children's book illustrators, but its all good.
Just thought I'd share.
Well, the Tater Tots are done, my back is starting to scream at me from sitting in this chair, so I guess I'd better go. If I can get up...
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Philip Pullman's Barnes & Noble presentation is up and ready for viewing at Barnes & Noble.com. Thanks, Nick, for the alert! I'm watching it now.
Tuesday | October 30, 2007
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
“The Golden Compass”: A Conversation with Philip Pullman
The prize-winning, highly opinionated British author talks about his hugely popular books, the necessity of growing up and losing one’s innocence, and the upcoming Hollywood films based on his best-selling trilogy, “His Dark Materials,” honored by the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children’s Book Award and the Whitbread Book of the Year Award (the first ever given to a children’s book). Interviewed by Charles McGrath, New York Times Magazine contributing writer and former Book Review editor.
Tickets: $25 TimesTalks (Scroll way down for this talk and for the link to buy tickets .)
Address: The TimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street, New York City
Just learned about this twenty-seven minute video (below in three parts) from bridgetothestars. It was evidently done by New Line before filming to give those unfamiliar with the book a sense of it in twenty-seven minutes. It begins with some footage of Philip Pullman, moves on to a few hyperbolic statements on the series, and then goes on to provide a quite detailed overview of the plot (from the movie script, presumably — if you know the book well, you will notice some differences). It is done with a mixture of storyboarding, sketches, CGI samples, video-game-like characters and scene try-outs using various stand-ins for the characters (Lyra is not Dakota Blue Fanning, for instance). I would assume it gives you a fair idea of the movie plot-wise. Fascinating!
Part 1 of 3
Part 2 of 3
Part 3 of 3
Like countless others I’m eagerly waiting to see one of my favorite literary heroines, Lyra Belacqua, in her December film debut and in the still-being-written The Book of Dust. In the meantime I continue to enjoy the thought-provoking comments of her creator, Philip Pullman. The most recent ones are in a just-published interview by Claudia Fitzherbert in the the Literary Review. William Blake, James M. Cain, Iraq, fan fiction, Dakota Blue Richards, agnostism, and lots more. Wonderful stuff as always.
Speaking of Pullman, I thought this was something I'd seen before but obviously I was wrong. Here we have the brand spanking new trailer for The Golden Compass all pretty and bright in its shiny shiny glory. Niiiice.
Thanks to Rosie for the link.
His Dark Materials Omnibus
Author: Philip Pullman
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0375847227
ISBN-13: 978-0375847226
When I first heard of The Golden Compass I wanted to read it, but held off doing so because I had a lot going on at the time. When I was ready to read it, there was so much buzz about it that I was inundated and put it down yet for a later time when I could pick it up without being influenced too much by that buzz. Then I forgot about it and I think the books are over at one of my son’s houses.
Just recently, I received a review copy of the His Dark Materials Omnibus and got all fired up to read it. I just wish I hadn’t done so right before bedtime. I was so fascinated that I stayed up all night, stayed home the next day and read till it felt my eyes were bleeding. It was that good. Now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long.
The first book in the series is The Golden Compass, where Lyra Belaqua and her dæmon, Pantalaimon are first introduced. They live in an alternate Oxford where science, theology, and magic are all very closely aligned and everyone seems to understand it all.
Lyra herself is an incredible character. She’s spunky, brave, smart and determined as well as being the despair of the college folk who raise her. She lives in Jordan College within Oxford and delights in running wild, organizing great battles with rival children and has such an inordinate curiosity and sense of adventure.
When her Uncle Asriel visits the college she goes a little too far and finds out more than she should. He's there to solicit funds for a return journey to the North, where he has observed strange goings-on, including a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. After he leaves, Lyra finds herself placed in the charge of the mysterious Mrs. Coulter and in possession of a strange and mysterious golden compass that can answer questions if she learns how to read it. Lyra discovers Mrs. Coulter's connection with the dreaded children-stealing Gobblers and runs away, joining a group of gyptians to find the missing kids, in particular, her beloved friend Roger.
This action-packed, highly literary adventure is filled with wonderful things – armored bears who speak, flying witches, secrets and lies, evil, a flying balloon piloted by a wild Texan and one hell of an intricate plot.
The Subtle Knife is the second book in the series and continues the adventure. This book starts in another universe and centers on a boy named Will Parry. His universe is modern day London and he’s got just as much going on as Lyra had in her universe. Will’s mother is incapable of taking care of herself, his father is missing and there are bad men trying to find out something. Desperate, Will finds someone to care for his mother and somehow manages to stumble into another world, a world that Lyra has stumbled into as well. The second book is just as intense and wondrous as the first with just as much, if not more excitement and drama. The plot twists and turns with the grace and power of an Olympic gymnast, never missing a beat. New characters as well as old abound and each is as detailed and finely drawn as the main characters. What an amazing talent Mr. Pullman has! Absolutely riveting and completely entrancing!
The Amber Spyglass, the final chapter is incredible. I kept thinking that the last book would somehow miss the mark but I have no idea why I would think that. The Amber Spyglass if anything surpasses the other two and concludes the series in a most phenomenal way.
The beautiful witch Serafina Pekkala is back as she seeks out the armored bear Iorek Byrnison to help her with Lord Asriel’s crusade. Worlds are explored, mysteries are solved, the war is raging, angels are wandering, the worlds are changing and Lyra, Will and their friends must somehow save it all.
Philip Pullman has written a masterpiece of literature that is literary and smart, funny and sad, heart-wrenching and amazingly wonderful. The fact that kids are reading this high-minded, intelligent and almost Dickensian literature warms my heart. I think that 500 years from now, these books will still be in print and every child and grownup will know of Lyra and her worlds.
Book Description from the publisher:
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. About the AuthorPhilip Pullman won the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in honor of the body of his work. He lives in Oxford, England.
Guess what I found?
A little early footage from The Golden Compass. Consider it your early birthday present.
Sarah Kinson interviews Philip Pullman for the Guardian. Now that's good news on any day. But, his answer to the last question just sent me to the ceiling. Here it is in all its glory:
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A sequel to His Dark Materials. But I can't say more than that. It's going to be a long book, and I'm only part way through it.
I can't adequately express my emotional reaction to this news. There simply are not enough exclamations or exclamation points at the ready. I'm just going to have to sit with this for awhile.
Passions I definitely know next to nothing about:
- Professional competitive kite-flying
- Collecting the hair of famous dead people
- Eating rare animals for fun and profit
- Action figures
The last of these being the most important because
Monica Edinger was kind enough to link to
a piece written by an action figure devotee regarding the upcoming
Golden Compass film and, of course, the toys that will accompany it.
One of the questions Jeff had for us was to find out the scale. So whilst we were drooling over Harry Potter, we asked them if the Golden Compass figures would be the same 3.75" scale. The folks at Cards Inc looked hurt, as if we'd offended them
"Of course they are," they said!
So there you go. Just in case any of you were wondering.
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Love the mouse!
It's a great triliogy. I read it last year. I haven't seen the movie yet, but looks pretty good.
Great mouse - the eyes, the robe, and the morning paper really convey the early a.m. feel. I know that if I had a tail, it would be drooping and dragging in the morning.
Paula,... were you peeking in my window in the morning when you drew that picture of me?? LOL.. that's how I FEEL in the morning! You captured the emotion perfectly! ;)
I also love your choice of books! I am an avid reader and have been checking to see what's on your booklist... great recommendations! I think I have my summer lineup now! ;)
Yes, not a HAPPY Memorial Day for sure, nor a quiet one... the noise in this neighborhood was like NYC! And I live in FLORIDA! But anyway, we do pray for those in the service right now (my brother is one of them in Iraq) and all the veterans of war and the families of those who lost brothers, sisters, fathers, husbands, mothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, wives and children to the horror of war. It was a sad day for me too.