Philip Pullman

by Catherine Butler, Tommy Halsdorf

Overview

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is a worldwide classic of modern literature for both children and adults. Challenging in its intellectual scope, ambitious scale and range of literary reference, it is also hugely controversial due to its critique of organised religion.

This collection of original essays by an international team of distinguished scholars assesses Pullman's achievement and introduces readers to some of the key debates surrounding His Dark Materials. Covering topics such as religion, gender, childhood and scientific enquiry, the volume also discusses the Hollywood film of the first book and features a new interview with Pullman himself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781137336798
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/29/2014
Series:	New Casebooks , #24
Edition description:	2014
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Catherine Butler is Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of the West of England, UK.


Tommy Halsdorf lectures in English Literature at the University of Luxembourg.
Catherine Butler is Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of the West of England, UK.

Tommy Halsdorf lectures in English Literature at the University of Luxembourg.

Table of Contents

Series Editor's Preface
Notes on Contributors
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction; Tommy Halsdorf and Catherine Butler
1. Philip Pullman's 'Religious Reaction against Religion' in 'His Dark Materials'; Pat Pinsent
2. Pullman, the Idea of Soul, and Multimodal 'Seeability' in 'Northern Lights' and the Film 'The Golden Compass'; Rosemary Ross Johnston
3. The Pursuit of Knowledge: Scientific Enquiry in 'His Dark Materials'; Alison Waller
4. The Controversialist: Philip Pullman's Secular Humanism and Responses to 'His Dark Materials'; Naomi Wood
5. Bearly Conscious? Deconstructing Pullman's Postmodern Marionettes; Andrew M. Butler
6. 'Without Contraries is No Progression': Romantic Constructions of Childhood and Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials'; Keith O'Sullivan
7. Representations of Gender in Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' Trilogy; T.Halsdorf
8. Persephone Ascending: Goddess Archetypes and Lyra's Jourbaney to Wholeness; Susan Redington Bobby
9. Interview with Philip Pullman
Selected Bibliography and Further Reading
Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Covers a variety of approaches and includes selected topics that are relevant and significant.' - Carole Scott, San Diego State University, USA

'An engaging and thought-provoking collection of essays which offers some illuminating criticism on Pullman's work.' - Lucy Pearson, Newcastle University, UK

Editorial Reviews

"Covers a variety of approaches and includes selected topics that are relevant and significant." - Carole Scott, San Diego State University, USA

"An engaging and thought-provoking collection of essays which offers some illuminating criticism on Pullman's work." - Lucy Pearson, Newcastle University, UK

From the Publisher