Philip Pullman trilogy

[Louisa Cudahy]

>
>
>I have tried, several times, to read these books, but just cant seem 
>to get into them.  As I know many people really love them, I wonder 
>if it is something in me that is resisting them.  Is it worth trying 
>yet again, or should I just decide Pullman isn't for me.  Any 
>comments would be gratefully received.
>Sylvia   
>

People have already given you some great thoughts on His Dark Materials
(I enjoyed them but also found Pullman's anti-religious preaching a
little heavy handed) but I do have one thing to add that I haven't seen
mentioned yet: have you tried his Sally Lockhart books?

There are four, called (I think this is in the right order) The Ruby In
The Smoke, The Shadow In The North, The Tiger In The Well, and The Tin
Princess. How to describe them? Sort of
feminist-mystery-action-adventures set in Victorian England. If you get
my drift... The Tiger In The Well is my favourite, and the first Pullman
book I read. I defy any mother to read it and not want to reach into the
book and do some damage to the bad guys! It drew me in, and I respond
emotionally to these books in a way similar to my feelings on Harry
Potter. I did not get emotionally invested in His Dark Materials (well,
not much. I did care a great deal about Lee Scoresby and Iorek).

Yours,
Louisa