“...our human nature demands meaning and joy
...accept that this meaning and joy will
involve
a passionate love of the physical world.”
- Philip Pullman, from his lecture “The Republic
of Heaven”
in his forthcoming essay collection, Dæmon Voices
Yesterday’s
Sunday New York Times Magazine
(October 15, 2017) brought a marvellous article, “The Magician of Oxford” by
Sophie Elmhirst (free when I checked the link) about Philip Pullman, the luminous
author of His Dark Materials, an epic fantasy trilogy for young people of all ages.
I have been
an over-the-top fan of Pullman and his trilogy since its publication - The Golden Compass in 1995; The Subtle Knife in 1997; and The Amber Spy Glass in 2000. His
creation of a parallel fantasy universe that starts in Oxford University
and ends up in the company of armoured polar bears in the high Artic is
wondrous indeed. One of my great joys in teaching Middle School English for
many years was introducing Pullman’s books – and its stellar heroine, Lyra
Silvertongue - to annual waves of eager young readers. I can hardly wait to introduce
the trilogy to my grandchildren and grandnephew.
And now
comes the news that Pullman is about to publish a prequel (my descriptor, not
his) that starts off when Lyra is six months old and “being hunted by henchmen
of the Magesterium” to quote Elmhirst. And it will be another trilogy!
Title of
the trilogy: The Book of Dust
Name of the
first volume: La Belle Sauvage
Publication
date: October 19, 2017!
Woohoo!
Guess what I’ll be buying!
And while I
wait impatiently for the arrival of La
Belle Sauvage, I am posting photos that humbly attempt to honour Pullman’s philosophy
above:
“...our human
nature demands meaning and joy...[that involves] a passionate love of the
physical world.”
Pullman is an
atheist, but his writings have always beckoned me to a spiritual dimension that parallels
and enriches his plot lines.
I hope that
you will enjoy these images and that you will join me in celebrating Philip
Pullman.
Toronto City Hall
Silver Lake, near Perth
Spring Brook Road, Hastings County
Ripley's Aquarium, Toronto
Bill's Meringue, Pre-Low Carb Days
Lindi's Papers
Lake Consecon
Queen's University, Kingston
Portsmouth Harbour, Kingston
Dear friend, what a gift you have for seeing and sharing wisdom. I do not know this Philip Pullman's work. Thank you for always teaching me something.
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