FAMILYFANS Books & Comics

THE GOLDEN COMPASS

by Philip Pullman

(Random House)

Reader Appeal: All Ages

Genre: Fantasy

The Golden Compass, the first installment of the His Dark Materials trilogy, is a wonderfully written and creative fantasy adventure.

Regrettably, author and atheist Phillip Pullman has marshaled his considerable (dare I say "God-given"?) writing prowess to create a fantasy world – worlds to be more precise – in which children must band together to defeat a senile God whose existence is threatening the world. His Dark Materials Trilogy is an intentional inversion of Milton’s Paradise Lost. Pullman’s fiction suggests that wisdom is achieved when one rejects the controls of the religious establishment and explores unbridled human sexuality instead.

These themes coexist in Pullman’s awe-inspiring world filled with militant polar bears, witches, daemons (not to be confused with the Biblical “demons”), magical inventions, kidnapping “Gobblers”, river dwelling “gyptains”, and halls of scholars. The Golden Compass is paced compellingly and is filled with countless twists. Exploring Pullman’s fictional world was a joy, but arriving at his destination was tragic. The Golden Compass ends with central character, Lyra, discovering that the doctrine of Original Sin was a cruel invention of the priests to prevent people from discovering the true nature of the universe.

In spite of his antagonism toward God, Pullman unintentionally echoes ancient polemics found in the very Scriptures toward which Pullman holds disdain. God engaged another child hero, Samuel, to deliver a message of judgment to the High Priest, Eli, for allowing his clergy children to oppress the common worshipers. In Malachi, God threatened to smear feces on his own priests due to their oppressive tactics. Pullman is right to be concerned about religion as a form of control; still, God has been concerned longer.

Pullman’s critique of organized religion is so clear and complete that it’s impossible to recommend these books for elementary aged children. However, an involved parent could read the His Dark Materials trilogy with a middle school or high school aged child to discuss the tension of being free but being willing to submit to God.

FAMILYFANS RATING: 

A - for the writing.

D - for the anti-God propagandist message.

--LS

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