Philip Pullman is a phenominal writer and storyteller. His love of words and craft is so clear. This is the first fiction by him that I've read, but I've admired him as one of the most intelligent and thoughtful writers alive today after I read Daemon Voices. I should read that again this year.

At the very end of the book I could start to understand why Christians made such a stink about this. However, Pullman's interpretation of "dust" or original sin (as presented at this point in the series; I've successfully managed to avoid spoilers for over 2 decades--please keep it that way) or rather, the knowledge of good and evil, has deep roots even within Christianity. I suppose that the problems Christians have with the book are a symptom that Christians in the West have had for at least the last 100 years: the inability to dialogue with any branch of Christianity that does not mindlessly toe the evangelical line. How much less, then, with other religions or even the a-religious? For further thoughts on Pullman's view of the knowledge of good and evil, he has a very strong critique of Narnia and Lewis's [perhaps deliberate?] blind spot in Daemon Voices (I don't remember the name of the essay).

Well. I thought the story was exciting and clever, and the audio has a complete cast so it is quite good. I plan to read the rest of the series and digest the thoughts. It's heavy philosophical material wrapped up in a kid's costume.

Food Pairing: Even though characters repeatedly eat seal jerky, I'd go with a mince pasties and builder's tea instead ;) Lyra is always on the go, and she needs some hearty warm food to keep her energy up.