so finally, FINALLY....have got round to starting phillip pullman trilogy and am half way through

[Heathcliffscathy]

northern lights and LOVE IT.

and i am a harry potter refusnik.

DO NOT spoil the plot for me, just tell me, are the next two as good, if they are, i'm so happy!

Not quite as good, Soph ... but that would be a tall order.

Best read I've had in years, though.

I have read all HP but I can safely say, The Dark Materials is so much better. The adaption at The National was brilliant too (even though each play for 3 hours long and I was 36 weeks pg for the second one !). Just hoping the film is as good.

Oh they are fantastic! More sophisticated than HP I would say (and I like HP). They are amazing. My fav characters are Iorek Byrnison and Lee Scoresby.

I thought they were all brilliant - really loved those books.
I want to read them again now.

Completely different from HP but fantastic and really clever.

We have them on audio tape, which kept us amused in the car for miles and miles - and then I had to read them as well afterwards!

Very jealous that you're enjoying them for the first time!

Still, have the film to look forward to. Daniel Craig is playing Lord Asriel .... [drool]

They are all excellent.

I didn't think they were as good. Sorry.

I thought the next two were as good. Last one is my favorite.
I think his dark materials are intended more for teenagers and adults, where as harry potter is really for children.

I didn't now there was going to be a film - when does it come out?

later this year bogwobbit... called something like 'the golden compass' or something ....

Thanks. Will look out for that.

Don't think the americans thought 'the aliethometer' was catchy enough title!

But Daniel Craig is wrong as Lord Asriel!!

christmas according to "thisfilm.guardian.co.uk/cannes2007/story/0,,2085126,00.html"

The Subtle Knife was amazing, I think almost better than NL.
Book 3 overblown imho but by then I was in so deep I'd forgive Pullman anything. I cried and cried towards the end, couldn't bear to think of it stopping
I think I read half a HP once.