The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials Series #3)

Controversy: The Godless World of Pullman? And how this series ties not just its OWN ends together, but makes people everywhere listen...

This book is the third in the series 'His Dark Materials' by Philip Pullman. So much controversy has surrounded this book, and this is why. In 'The Amber Spyglass', Lyra and Will, the heroine and hero of the story, learn about growing up, Dust finally settling, having their daemons (spirit in animal form) find their permanent form, love, and the existence of God. now Pullman was a devout atheist when he was alive, so it shouldn't have been shocking what he said in his books about God and His angels, but many people thought it was. This book was ahead of its time, and although considered a 'children's' or 'young adults' book, it is just as easily adult literature. In his metaphorical ways, Pullman discusses the possibility of other worlds, evolution of these worlds, a young teenager's blooming sexuality, how politics AND religion can corrupt people's individual thinking, and how the interconnections between worlds, and the organisms in them can bring not just one species or world, but everything, falling down around our heads.
One of the main issues in this book was the way God, or the 'Authority' was described, not as an all-powerful being, but simply an archangel, dying of old age, and how the hapless Lyra, and her friend Will, only being thirteen or fourteen, don't realize that by setting the Authority free of His prison, they have killed Him. You see, only the Angels and witches of Lyra's world have free access to all of the adjoining worlds in the universe, and Will carries a knife (see The Subtle Knife, Book Two of His Dark Materials) that can rip holes from one world to another. And Lyra carries an alethiometer, or a golden compass (see The Golden Compass, Book One of His Dark Materials) that can answer any question asked of it.
After Lyra and her daemon, Pan, are kidnapped by Lyra's evil, theologian mother, Mrs. Coulter, Will and the polar bear king Iorek have to rescue her, as Lyra represents the rebirth of Eve, 'the temptress'. Also, Lyra's father, a scientist, is after her, to protect her from the Church, who believe they have to kill her, to stop the replay of the Fall from Grace described in the Book of Genesis in the Holy Bible. Will tears a whole in another world, where he and Lyra escape to, and they find themselves in the world of the dead, trying to find a way out, so the dead can be free to evaporate into the air.
The Amber Spyglass is not a book to read simply for leisure, for once you read it once, you will find yourself going back to pet its spine maybe a year afterwards, to open it to a favorite spot, and discover new meanings behind every metaphorical phrase in the book. It is a thing to mull over, and smile at your new discoveries.
One part that describes both evolution at its highest and Pullman's great ability to imagine things outside of our world, is the world in which no humans exist, but a certain Dr. Mary Malone stumbles upon, and discovers a completely, previously unheard of intelligent being, the mulefa. Their world evolved in a completely different way than out own, and theirs ties into both Mary's and Will's, and Lyra's worlds, in the way of Dust, or the beginning of the original Fall.
It may seem like a lot of information, but Pullman's writing pull you in from the first page and you are stuck until you hear Lyra's last words, 'Build the Republic of Heaven', and the book spits you out, jumbled and ready to try and find the next in the series, but of course, as in all great endings, there is n

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

The Amber Spyglass

I really enjoyed reading this series, but I thought the Amber Spyglass was not as good as the first two. I would have liked it more if one of the main characters were the narrators of the book. I felt like I needed a deeper understanding of their emotions, or something that gave the characters a greater depth. All and all, I still would definitely still recommend this series to all the fantasy lovers out there. This story has fantastical worlds and imaginative characters.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Very good ending to the trilogy

Is a very good ending to a very good sci-fi trilogy. Can definitely see his anti-religion and anti-God points of view very well in it. If that bothers you then stay away, but if you like science fiction and are looking for a good series to read then try this out.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Milton would Have Loved It!!

Well this isn't too original since others have said it well before me, but Pullman managed to pull off an inverted Paradise Lost in the third part of this very thoughtful and belief-challenging trilogy. I will warn you that if you are a devout Christian, you may get about three-quarters of the way through and want to throw the book out the nearest window. Don't. Instead, think about what is said and what is happening. I don't know about you, and it may sound strange, especially if you have finished the trilogy, but I found myself more assured than ever that life on Earth is only a small part of an infinite whole. And yet each of us has the capacity within ourselves to make that small part of our existence rich an fulfilling ( or shallow, selfish and ultimately devastating).

On the other hand, you can read the Dark Materials trilogy as just a great story. Pullman says that was what was in his mind when he wrote it. No great philosophy - just good story-telling. C'mon Mr. Pullman - do you expect me to believe that?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow... just plain wow...

There are a lot of people who seem to like this book less than the first two. And it certainly is of a different style than the first two. The writing is much more mature and assured. And the plot is more mature. But in the end none of that matters because this is a wonderful way to end the trilogy. And as it comes to and end, bittersweet as it is, it is a good one. Please please please read this trilogy. Its worth the time, effort and attention.

Very exciting

I enjoyed this book a lot. It's a good book for pre-teens.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good book

Good book

Very good.

I especially liked the part where Lyra was helping to repair the knife.

Recommended as a good book.

I have read all three of Philip Pullman's books from His Dark Materials Series and enjoyed them all. This book was good with a surprize ending.

AWESOME

This book cant get much better yes you have to read the first two but to ,e its worth it this book is packed with action mytholigy and many othr chracteristics i know that any readr would find himself or herself glued to this book. I recomend this novel for 12 to even 80 year olds or maybe even higher if it is a little child (7 or 8) i would think twice. FIVE STARZ

Good

I liked it

Bad

I didnt like how pull.an was suggesting the thought that god himself could somehow be defeated. It was very suspenseful

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

The third in a great series

The resolution to the Golden Compass and its companion The Subtle Knife. Pullman develops characters well and fully, with good and bad characteristics. He also does a good job of presenting the transition from a child's intuition to the more adult manner of knowledge as shown in the use of the Golden compass. This series is also an interesting consideration of the interface between a scientific and religious understanding. Excellent food for thought and fun as well. Highly recommended.

Wow amazing

It was fantastic

Perfect Ending to a Wonderful Journey

This book is a WONDERFUL ending to great saga. Established characters come back to wrap everything up in a nice neat bow. This book isn't without it's faults as some others have mentioned, but they are few and far between. The book is pretty predictable knowing what's going to happen to Will and Lyra, it's spelled out multiple times but when it happens it's heart wretching.

The whole series is phenominal and I wish the first movie would have done beter. Would have been nice to see some of the imagry that's in this book.

What can u say?

This series is sooooo amanzing. Its one of my favorite series. I cried a lot during the end of the book. It has everything a book needed for me. I love how will and lyra ended up together. You should read these series from beginning to last. Its a 10 star book. Very highy reccomned for anybody to read.

awesome!!!!!!!!!

The stunning conclusion to his dark materials trilogy is my second favorite of the three. The golden compass will always be my favorite but this one comes in a close second. So amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sad ending to a great series!

This had me on the edge of my seat to the sad ending! Hope the author considers writing more books with these characters!

review of The Amber Spyglass

this is a book review on The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman I selected this book because it is a great thrilling book.

The Amber Spyglass is about a young boy and his missing father. The boy and his friends must help him get his father back home. Along the way they will encounter several dangerous situations traveling a long deadly path

I like this book because it has a dangerous thrills and chills that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I think that this is a great book for young readers. It has very good structure it has lots of twists and turns and dangerous discoveries along the way to his father.

I strongly advise you to read this book because it is very popular. Also is a great book to read to your children.

By kiran myers

amazing!!!

this book is filled with action and is anjoy to anyone.who reads it