When I orignally made this site over last summer, I had a plan to add a blog devoted to books, music, films, plays etc that I wanted to either praise or slate. That hasn’t yet materialised, but I was reading an article that made me think of one set of books I really had to mention. The trilogy in question is ‘His Dark Materials’ by Philip Pullman, and is comprised of ‘Northern Lights’, ‘The Subtle Knife’ and ‘The Amber Spyglass’. I can’t overstate quite how amazing these books are, and how important it is that you read them.

I’m loath to start throwing terms like ‘favourite’ around, since to try and compile even a top ten of my favourite books would be impossible, but this trilogy would have to up near the top. Pullman combines fantastic story telling with wonderful escapism, rich characterization with deep metaphysical and philosphical meaning. I don’t know whether they were originally written for children, but they can be read and enjoyed by anyone. I’m not going to wax lyrical any further, as praise of these books has been done to death by many a more persuasive writer than myself, but back to that article I was reading…

I don’t by a newspaper regularly at uni, mainly because it seems like too much effort to go to the newsagents every day, but I do read ‘The Guardian‘ online. It’s a high quality left-leaning paper, and I’ve been reading it since I was young as it’s also the paper my parents get. Habit is a powerful thing, but I’ve read other papers on occasion and always come back to The Guardian. It had an article today by Philip Pullman himself, discussing stage adaptations of novels, and particularly the National Theatre production of ‘His Dark Materials’. The article caught my eye as I’ve recently booked to see the two part production early next year, on the 24th of January and the 24th of February. I believe the first run of these two shows sold out entirely, and the next promises to do the same which is why we booked so early.

I’m rambling somewhat, but my main reason for pointing the article out is that it contains an excellent discussion of what makes the theatre so special. I’m looking forward to seeing the two shows next year with almost fevered anticipation. The books were quite astoundingly good, and if you haven’t already, I urge you to go and read them now. Even if you consider yourself someone who ‘doesn’t like fantasy novels’, you should give these a try. Quick, before the movie comes out and ruins it for you…