Rain, Golden Compass, and Notes in the Margin

[sophierom]

It's been a rainy Fourth here. At first, the gray skies depressed me a bit. DH and I didn't have any plans to watch fireworks and cook out, but had there been clear skies, I could have smelled the neighbors' charcoal and seen the fireworks from my backyard. Vicarious celebrations are sometimes even better than the first-hand experience ... less

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[deeble]

I prefer Locke to Hobbes, too. Though I do like Calvin's Hobbes

[sophierom]

I've read others' theories that Snape didn't kill Dumbledore, but I don't think I've read the point about Dumbledore's magic continuing to hold until the fall. Great point! That actually gives me hope! What did you see in the book that caused you to be certain - or almost certain - that Snape and others were going to die?

[deeble]

Nothing in particular, just that we're, what, less than three weeks away from Deathly Hallows and we know characters will die because she's told us so. What are the odds that I don't like any of them? (Plus, we know Snape's chances of surviving are pretty thin.)

[deeble]

I just finished the_bitter_word's Snape/Luna story -- I wandered there thanks to your recommendation of her Snape biography -- and she notes that very phenomenon (Dumbledore's spell holding unexpectedly) as Luna proves Snape didn't precisely murder Dumbledore. I knew I couldn't possibly have been the first to notice.

[timestep]

I really enjoyed the Golden Compass triology (you really need all three books to really appreciate the entire story.) I must admit, I did alot of mental comparisons to this and the HP series.

But, as they are written for different audiences, I'm not completely disappointed that they are different.

I will tell you that the last book really provides a change in perspective.

[sophierom]

Hi, timestep!

I'm sure that my view of His Dark Materials will change as I read more of it. I certainly enjoy the series so far, just in a very different way than HP.

And I can definitely see how the two series would attract different audiences. I have to admit that I don't think I would have been interested in HDM if I were a child (even though it is touted as a young adult series). I was somewhat closed-minded as a child. I only wanted to read about certain types of characters and worlds and circumstances. Even now, I have to push myself to accept ideas outside my comfort zone.

Thanks for stopping by! :-D

[cafemercury]

*waves*

I keep saying I'm going to open a discussion group in my LJ for this series. I know sneaky_rhae has the books, but don't know if she's started reading them.

Maybe I should do a poll after DH. I don't want to start now.

*glares at icons* I need to reupload my tiger daemon.

[cafemercury]

While I enjoy both series, I prefer HDM, but that's me; I'm not the arbiter of what makes good writing. People appreciate different things, which is why there are so many different kinds of stories. Pullman's and Rowling's worlds are completely different, and each is good in its own way.

A key difference: HDM doesn't have that "wow, magic!" factor that drew me to HP. It deals with real issues in a fantasy context--at least that's how I see it. (This isn't as apparent in the first book as in the next two, but I don't want to say too much and spoiling you.) At first glance, HDM appears darker, but I don't know if I agree. (As JKR said about her own series, it opens with a double murder, and that's not so fluffy

[cafemercury]

*and spoil you

*slaps typo fingers*

[sophierom]

But I have typo fingers, too! *fingers move this way and that to dodge the editor's slap* ';-D

[sophierom]

At first glance, HDM appears darker, but I don't know if I agree. (As JKR said about her own series, it opens with a double murder, and that's not so fluffy!)I suppose I shouldn't really comment until I've finished both series. All I can say at the moment is that it's not the content that I think is lighter in Harry Potter (you're right; there's plenty of murder in the series). It's the world