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PHILIP__PULLMAN_________HIS DARK MATERIALS_________PLEASE HELP ME

33 replies

RTKangaMummy · 27/03/2006 22:55

Please has anybody read any of these books?

Please tell me the story

DS has an audition for a part in the film on friday SmileSmileSmile

His Dark Materials

Part One, Northern Lights

Part Two, The Subtle Knife

Part Three, The Amber Spyglass

Please could anybody help

TIA

Smile
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Original poster
RTKangaMummy · 28/03/2006 12:41

Thanks Smile

I am sure it is going to be very quick

I think they will just take a photo and/or video him talking or reading and that will be all at this stage

It will be if he sounds and looks "RIGHT" they will call him back if he doesn't they won't

But it will be another experience for him, when he did the audition for Gavroche in the West End he loved the experience Smile

If you don't try you won't succeed Smile

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zippitippitoes · 28/03/2006 12:35

the play version is about 6 hours long I think, hope he enjoys the expereince

Original poster
RTKangaMummy · 28/03/2006 12:30

DH has got the 1st and 3rd from the library today

Smile

He has read all the HP books and loves Alex Rider too and any Anthony Horrowitz books

Bundle is she going to one of the open auditions or an individual one?

Is she at theatre school?

Luckily DS has an individual one so we have a set time, so don't have to spend hours waiting around, and he won't miss much school.

SmileSmileSmile

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bundle · 28/03/2006 12:03

a friend's 12 yr old daughter is up for an audition too Smile

Flamesparrow · 28/03/2006 12:02

Oh yes, I love HP, but there really is no comparison.

singersgirl · 28/03/2006 11:33

Oh, sorry, good luck to your DS!

singersgirl · 28/03/2006 11:33

I've read them and think they are fantastic - though the first was my favourite. I enjoyed HP too, but these are a completely different genre and quality really.

I think even an excellent and bright 8 year old reader would struggle with some of the moral and religious dilemmas, so will be steering DS1 clear of them until he is older.

ghosty · 28/03/2006 01:02

I agree that he should just be himself ... I don't think they would expect a 10 year old to have read them necessarily although I did teach a boy of 8 who was reading the Amber Spyglass at the time which I thought was pretty amazing.
I think one of the key parts in the trilogy was the transition from childhood to puberty (in the third book) ... and that might be a bit mature for the younger readers to get their heads around.

The books are in my list of all time favourites and IMHO are far far better than Harry Potter ... although i love all the HP books too.

Pruni · 28/03/2006 00:23

Good luck to him KM, I think it would be a wonderful thing to be part of. The stage production was supposed to be excellent and v inventive, given the natire of half the characters (shape-shifting daemons).

snailspace · 28/03/2006 00:17

Does he read moderately fast? He could at least be a fair way into Northern Lights if you bought it for him tomorrow (or today, looking at time). I expect he'd enjoy it in any case. We'll send good vibes his way on Friday.

Original poster
RTKangaMummy · 28/03/2006 00:07

Thanks for all your good wishes SmileSmileSmile

He is being seen at 1.15pm this Friday Smile

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Original poster
RTKangaMummy · 28/03/2006 00:04

I don't know -- we have just been told HIS DARK MATERIALS

but from the link below they are doing open auditions for lyra for general public for 1st book

But it sounds too much of a story for putting in one film

I agree about him not pretending to have read the story beforehand, but will let him know rough outline iyswim

It does sound like his type of book anyway

I don't know why we haven't been sent them by his Grandpa he buys him loads of books

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Flamesparrow · 27/03/2006 23:51

Blush Apparantly it upsets me even more than I knew!!

Good luck RTKM's DS

Flamesparrow · 27/03/2006 23:50

Oh, and always Angry about bloody american's and "Golden Compass" - just because the alethiometer looks compassed shaped doesn't mean it is the teeniest bit like one!!! Stupid people.

Flamesparrow · 27/03/2006 23:49

Oh, and always Angry about bloody american's and "Golden Compass" - just because the alethiometer looks compassed shaped doesn't mean it is the teeniest bit like one!!! Stupid people.

Flamesparrow · 27/03/2006 23:49

Oh, and always Angry about bloody american's and "Golden Compass" - just because the alethiometer looks compassed shaped doesn't mean it is the teeniest bit like one!!! Stupid people.

Flamesparrow · 27/03/2006 23:47

I think Sparklemagic has got a good point - just being himself rather than knowing lots sounds best.

HDM are probably my favourite books - there is sooo much in them, and I am always amazed that they are placed as children's books.

It really is hard to get any idea of the books from the brief summaries etc because they are just so complex... there are huge issues in them, smaller childhood relationship issues, and in amongst it all, just a good ole fashioned love story. Regardless of if he gets a part - read em Grin

Oh, and there are lots of children in the film - the main ones that stand out in my memory are the boy with the knife (although are they doing one film or 3? If 3, then he won't be in the first one), Roger - Lyra's best friend, and Tony - A daemonless boy :(

Pruni · 27/03/2006 23:38

\link{http://www.randomhouse.com/features/pullman/goldencompass/index.html\Here's a synopsis of the first book} - which was renamed THe Golden Compass for Americans because Northern Lights was....too hard? Don't know...
Scroll down and there are links to the next two.

PP says one more to come, I think.

Sparklemagic · 27/03/2006 23:37

Hi RT, they are children's books - for older children and teenagers I think, though they are so well written that they are read by everyone really.

I am waiting to read first one when DH finishes it!

I am SOOO not an expert on child acting but I wonder if he'd be better to not even try to assume a knowledge of the books, just to be himself - because he is on the lower age of the spectrum they want so they won't expect of him what they would of a 13 year old, would they? If it were me I'd be in there blathering on about how I couldn't wait to read the books, and how I love sci fi and reading, can't get my head out of a book, etc etc....so they know they can assume he WOULD be interested if he does go further! what do you think?

Pruni · 27/03/2006 23:35

For young teens I think
But exceptionally well-written and v imaginative
Not perfect but definitely intellectually challenging
there is a website, hold on

Original poster
RTKangaMummy · 27/03/2006 23:32

WOW what a complicated story

I don't think I will be able to speed read it

At least I can tell him the outline tomorrow

I had the idea it was about supernatural or witches

Are they adult books or for teenagers ?

OP posts:
stitch · 27/03/2006 23:26

there are also lots of childrn in the world where the spectres attack all the grownups.

Pruni · 27/03/2006 23:22

Children plus shape-shifting daemons (at puberty the form of the daemon becomes permanent).
Lyra is the main character of the first book.
It's really v complex.
Books set in Oxford but it is a fantasy version of the university/city.
Lots of v satisfying intelligent blasphemy.

I highly recommend reading the first one at least before the audition!! (They are great)

sharklet · 27/03/2006 23:21

This might help \link{http://www.hisdarkmaterials.org/\www.hisdarkmaterials.org/}

Original poster
RTKangaMummy · 27/03/2006 23:21

WOW deffo brill Smile

Thank you so much

Will try to get to library tomorrow to see if I can get the books

Have no idea which part he is up for but would just like to be a bit prepared beforehand

This is the 1st audition he has been to for a film

Smile
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