His Dark Materials facts for kids
First combined edition (publ. Ted Smart, 2000)
|
|
|
|
|
| Author | Philip Pullman |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | High fantasy Science fantasy |
| Publisher | Scholastic |
| Published | 1995–2000 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
His Dark Materials is a popular trilogy of fantasy novels written by Philip Pullman. It includes three books: Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass in North America), The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. These books were published between 1995 and 2000.
The story follows two young characters, Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry. They go on amazing adventures through different parallel universes. The series has won many awards, like the Carnegie Medal for Northern Lights in 1995. The Amber Spyglass won the Whitbread Book of the Year in 2001. In 2003, the trilogy was voted third in the BBC's The Big Read poll, showing how much people love it.
Contents
What is His Dark Materials About?
Even though His Dark Materials is often sold as young adult fiction, Philip Pullman wrote it for everyone. The books are full of exciting fantasy elements. You'll meet powerful witches and brave armoured polar bears.
Exploring Big Ideas
The series also makes you think about big questions. It touches on ideas from physics, philosophy, and even theology. The story is partly a new look at the classic poem Paradise Lost by John Milton. Pullman's books celebrate human curiosity and the desire for freedom. They explore what it means to make your own choices.
The Worlds of the Story
Lyra and Will travel between many different worlds. Each world has its own rules and wonders. This journey helps them grow up and understand more about themselves and the universe. The books are known for their deep themes and exciting adventures.
Adaptations and More Stories
Because the books are so popular, they have been turned into other forms of entertainment.
On Stage and Screen
The London Royal National Theatre created a two-part play based on the trilogy. It was performed in 2003 and 2004. Later, New Line Cinema made a film of Northern Lights, called The Golden Compass, which came out in 2007. More recently, a BBC television series started in November 2019, bringing the stories to life for a new generation.
More Adventures in the Universe
Philip Pullman has also written more stories set in the His Dark Materials universe.
- Lyra's Oxford (2003)
- Once Upon a Time in the North (2008)
- Serpentine (2020)
He also started a new trilogy called The Book of Dust. The first book, La Belle Sauvage, was published in 2017. The second book, The Secret Commonwealth, came out in 2019. Both of these new books take place in the same amazing universe as Northern Lights.
Books in the Trilogy
Images for kids
-
Satan struggles through hell in a Gustave Doré illustration of Paradise Lost.
-
Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine (1489–90), along with two portraits by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and Hans Holbein the Younger, helped inspire Pullman's "dæmon" concept.
See also
In Spanish: La materia oscura para niños
