The Science of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials

by John Gribbin and Mary Gribbin

Book Overview

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is renowned for its mystery and magic. What's the truth behind it all? Is the golden compass actually based in science? How does the subtle knife cut... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375831444
• ISBN13: 9780375831447
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Length: 203 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

A little slanted, but good

I really enjoyed the writing and the explanations offered in this book, which break down some of the happenings in The Golden Compass into an understandable reality, such as the Subtle Knife and how it is based in the 'String Theory.' All if this is fine. The authors go awry, however, in chapter four when they decided to trash my favorite occult pastime (Tarot card reading) by declaring that an experienced card reader can not read cards as well as Lyra naturally reads the Golden Compass. Of course she can read it well - neither SHE nor the Golden Compass exist! She's a fictional character! And the Golden Compass - based in I Ching as it were - doesn't exist either! I found this aspect and criticism to be totally unwarrented and totally out-of-place in a book that otherwise is very entertaining and informative. IMHO, that section needs to be tossed out!

Unlocks What Otherwise is Magical Fantasy

Fantasy for the sake of escapism is wonderful. Explanation of the same may become problematic. To the reader who enjoys escaping reality for fantasy, explanation for what otherwise has no reason is as inviting as the many hurtful "growing up" moments: e.g. when we learn that there is no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny or Tooth Afairy. One of Great Britain's greatest fantasies is the Dark Materials' trilogy - where little children take on magical odysseys to cure what adults ruin. Similar to "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" or any of the J.K. Rowling "Harry Potter" books, Philip Pullman's fantasy has been the torch which lit many of a certain generation's children's dreams. A contemporary to Rowling, his writing has been the source of discussion and movie material. And, so it is this book that makes it so unlike interpretations of many of its peer novels. Harry Potter novels are decried as the source for the intense growth of devil worshiping satanic cults. To the contrary, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" has been accused of being a Christian lesson in mythic tale. Narnia - the land of "The Lion . . . " - is separate from our own. It is heaven or the "other world." Potter's world coexists with our own - he is different, he is the devil incarnate. Or, so critics tells us. Pullman's world is both "other" as well as part of our own. He has Lyra and Will meet, even though they are from different worlds. With magic knife, Will cuts his way into our world. How, the authors ask, can this be? Metaphysics. This book teaches us about the fourth dimension, string theory, dust, dark materials, quantum physics and more - and how each relates to what we thought was a children's novel. Peeling away at the layers of plot in the Pullman books, the authors of this book teach us more science than we probably have learned in decades. At times I wondered whether I was learning more science in this book than I had forgotten in a lifetime. And, so the authors explain that our childlike imaginations are actually rooted in truths - scientific truths. That our fantasy is actually reality. That our escape is merely a change in direction to what we otherwise do not know. In short, science is as magical as it is logical. Science can be as much fun as . . . dare I say it. . . Rowling or Pullman or C.S. Lewis. I learned a lot from this book. And, although it awakened me to learn something that I may have otherwise been just as comfortable as not knowing, I have no regrets. To the contrary, I regret having been so ignorant. I enjoyed reading this book which unlocked many mysteries which have been hidden from me for years. And, I only wish that science could have been taught in a similar manner.

The Science of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials

Mary & John Gribbin have created a well organized and eaily understood science guide to the authentic physics behind Philip Pullman's epic work. The Gribbins combine good, clear writing with a thurough understanding of phyisics that leads to simple explanations a layman can understand. With out this valualbe work, Mr. Pullman's fantastic tale would remain simply a 'story' underpinned by fanciful and extremely complex and difficult science that might or might not be real for our world. As it happens, much of it is real for our world.

Extra info for Pullman's "His Dark Materials"

For the ordinary person, this little book has pretty good coverage of the scientific basis for Pullman's trilogy. I am no expert, but from the info in the college courses I have taken with the Teaching Company, I think the writers have done well to condense so many items in a little space. It helps to understand that many of the ideas in Pullmans's fantasy have a bit of reality to them.

From spookiness to reality.

The trilogy just stunned me and I worked at trying to understand its complexities. Then I read this book, and everything made sense. At first I declared that the trilogy was better than 'The Lord of the Rings' but could not explain why. This book nails it. It will be wonderful if you read the trilogy, read this book, and share everything with your children. Remember when 'expanding your consciousness' was all the rage? No? That's OK. All these books do it with a basis in science. Buy the darn books. Buy them for your friends.