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angeliki7 's review for:
The Secret Commonwealth
by Philip Pullman
Saddened to see all the negative reviews here. Yes, this was a sobering and often troubling read, but we have to believe in our authors when they create worlds, and I believe Pullman knows exactly what he's doing. Of course I hope for redemption of all that is good in the third novel!
Reading this in the time of Covid is feeling like it's almost portentous in its themes of a controlling (secret) state, of people suffering in totalitarian regimes, refugees, poverty and of the disrespect of women. If it's a darker time in Lyra's world, it's because it's a darker time in ours too.
It's a lot to take in. Sometimes this reads more like a spy novel, and the intrigue and tension is built masterfully. And the relationship between Pan and Lyra is very challenging in its darkness. But I loved all the stories within stories, and as always, Pullman is so thought provoking in his balance of themes. It poses questions about mysticism and belief, philosophy and realism, self-determinism and fate, all while always making me think - what's he saying about our world? Is believing in the secret commonwealth a denial of science, or can they co-exist? I look forward to the resolution.
Reading this in the time of Covid is feeling like it's almost portentous in its themes of a controlling (secret) state, of people suffering in totalitarian regimes, refugees, poverty and of the disrespect of women. If it's a darker time in Lyra's world, it's because it's a darker time in ours too.
It's a lot to take in. Sometimes this reads more like a spy novel, and the intrigue and tension is built masterfully. And the relationship between Pan and Lyra is very challenging in its darkness. But I loved all the stories within stories, and as always, Pullman is so thought provoking in his balance of themes. It poses questions about mysticism and belief, philosophy and realism, self-determinism and fate, all while always making me think - what's he saying about our world? Is believing in the secret commonwealth a denial of science, or can they co-exist? I look forward to the resolution.