"HIS DARK MATERIALS" CONTINUES

I finished volume two of the series (first mentioned two posts previous to this one) yesterday and have begun volume three, The Amber Spyglass.  The pace of these books is breath-taking, it's just one thing after another after another.  The Subtle Knife leaves us cliff-hanging dreadfully.  I can't type for too long, gotta get back and keep reading.  I can understand why there was flap over these books in Great Britain, and wonder how far into the North American consciousness they have penetrated.  The flap generated is theological in nature.  We expect the plot of this sort of young people's fantasy series to basically be Good Vs. Evil, and we think we have a clear understanding of which is which.  There is no such understanding in Philip Pullman's books.  I'm not going to say too much more until I have finished this last episode, because I really have no idea what the denouement might be.  Angels have been added to the mix of mythical creatures, and the worlds' openings to one another seem to be multiplying.  The characters of Lyra's parents, Lord Asriel and Mrs Coulter (remarried after LA, and widowed by Mr. Coulter) are the most mystifying and confusing to me.  Are they both bad or both good?  Is one good and one bad?  Which is which?  A great battle is building, a monstrous huge battle.  Whispers tell us it's the continuation of a battle begun long long ago.  Which I think I've read about before, in Literature class, hmmm, perhaps....John Milton?

Back from a little web browsing re His Dark Materials, and I find that New Line Cinema is planning to put the three volumes into two movies in the coming year.  I have to say these books could make some truly kick-ass movies.  I wonder who will direct?  It will be all-important to have someone who understands the scholarly flavor of these books, as well as the fantasy elements.