One Word - EPIC

There is only one word that comes to mind when I think about Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy – and that word is EPIC.

Firstly, the story takes the reader on an EPIC adventure.  It is quite complicated to explain from start to finish however, there are tales of witches, armoured bears and gypsies and there are discoveries of multiple worlds! I took a fancy to one world in particular – Lyra’s world.

Although there are many characters, I related to and liked Lyra Belacqua the most.  She’s a very intelligent 11-year-old orphan who questions everything (she’s a bit of a smart ass) and it is her EPIC adventure that we predominately follow.   It is in Lyra’s world where everyone has a personal dæmon, a lifelong animal familiar – visible entities, physically separate from their humans.  The way I interpreted it, these animals are the person’s soul. 

This made me think – what form would my dæmon take if it was a physical entity?  Although the answer came instantly I had two that came to mind – a miniature elephant or a snowy owl.  Although there is no such thing as a miniature elephant, I am sure it would be possible in Lyra’s world – they have dæmons so anything is possible!

It really is a true fantasy novel.

Unfortunately at times the book had me completely lost for words – both because I was surprised at the turn the plot took and because I was completely lost with what was happening.  Was this a lack of imagination on my behalf? – I’m not so convinced. I think it has more to do with the fact that the book itself enters into a lot of scientific areas such as physics, philosophy, and theology.  The book went well and truly over my head. 

After reading the novels I can now understand more clearly why these books have caused such an EPIC international debate around religion.  It has drawn criticism for its negative portrayal of Christianity and religion in general. I am not fussed either way – it’s a fantasy world – but I now have a better understanding at why people who are religious may be put out somewhat.

EPIC also describes the effort it took to finally finish reading the novel.  It was tedious at times and although I was enjoying it, it became one of those books where I just couldn’t wait to finish it – not to find out what happens at the end but to just finish it!  

Finally – EPIC also describes this blog, I think it is one of the longest I have written! I hope you're still with me...

signing off

Em (hoot, hoot)

The Casual Vacancy

I want to squeal, jump and pump the air all at once.  

I have just read an article that says the title of J.K Rowling’s new novel is The Casual Vacancy.  The title itself doesn’t mean anything to me – in fact just from the title alone my mind draws a blank, I could not tell you even if I tried what it will be about.  Except of course that it is going to be sensational!

Lucky for me (and other JKR worshipers) there is a bit of a blurb about the book.  Starting with ‘it is a drama based on a council election in a small English town’.  Okay although I didn’t know what it was about before reading the above sentence, I wasn’t expecting that... sounds a little boring to me – what do you think??

I read on... ‘The novel is set in the small, idyllic town of Pagford and follows the trials and tribulations of the town's residents after parish councillor Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly and an election is called.’  Yes, an unexpected death does make a story more interesting... 

The blurb continues... ‘Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils ... Pagford is not what it first seems.  And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?’

I’m sold – tell me when and where and I’m there J  Damn, I have to wait until 27 September! The countdown begins... 167 days and counting!

Signing off
Em (hoot, hoot)