THE GOLDEN COMPASS
By Philip Pullman
Knopf, 2002
Category: Young adult fiction/fantasy
A few months ago, before the film version of THE GOLDEN COMPASS was released, I received an email—received the same email several times, actually—warning me not to let my kids see the movie or read the book. The email included links to several websites that further admonished parents to keep their kids away from THE GOLDEN COMPASS. Nothing, NOTHING, ticks me off more than other people telling me what I can and cannot read. Except perhaps when other people tell me what I can and cannot let my children read … and especially when those people have clearly not read the book in question themselves.
Anyway.
These emails inspired me to read THE GOLDEN COMPASS, and I enjoyed it tremendously. Not because enjoying the book would annoy detractors (although I do like knowing the slanderous e-campaign backfired when it reached me), but because THE GOLDEN COMPASS is a great book. It is an adventure fantasy with a feisty female protagonist and a compelling good versus evil plot. Nothing to be afraid of, lots to think about. I am looking forward to THE SUBTLE KNIFE and THE AMBER SPYGLASS.
If you are interested, there is an absolutely fascinating interview with Philip Pullman at the Filmchat blog of journalist Peter Chattaway.