I read Philip Pullman’s trilogy back in the late 1990s but after watching the first series of His Dark Materials on TV I decided I would like to reread The Subtle Knife. On TV we have already been introduced to Will Parry in parallel to Lyra’s early story, whereas in print, he is introduced, initially as the main character in this second book. But I was reassured to find that I still found this compelling series riveting, if often distressing.
Will is an impressive boy, old before his years, formed by the fear and loneliness of looking after his mother after his father’s disappearance. It is heartening to see him gradually grow towards Lyra as she supports him. They are both inadequately parented and aware of the importance of their destinies. It is good to come to know more about the witch Serafina Pekkala and the adventurous Lee Scoresby. The brilliant characterisation is the key to the conviction of this story. The daemons, which those from Lyra’s world each have, participate more actively in this book and you cannot help wanting one as part of your own soul.
The bright exciting world in which Will and Lyra find themselves in this novel, soon reveals itself to be a place of grief and the subtle knife itself, a poisoned chalice. There are so many interesting themes taken from Paradise lost and William Blake but recognising the allusions is not necessary to the appreciation of the vast panoply of ideas within the novels. Although very much a middle story ending on a cliff-hanger, in many ways it is my favourite. I am very much looking forward to seeing how The Subtle Knife is presented on screen.
Lizanne lost in a good book 
I recorded it but still haven’t watched the series. I think I was afraid it would deviate too far from the novel but from what I hear it didn’t really. And, oh yes, I so wanted my own Daemon!
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The only deviation I noticed was introducing Will during the first series rather than waiting for the second series but it worked well in parallel.
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I too read the Trilogy many years ago, and while watching the TV series, thought my memory was playing tricks on me when Will appeared in the series. “The Subtle Knife” was my favourite story too, and I loved the way it worked to enable the user to travel through from one world to another. It reminded me of one of my all-time favourite books, “Ring Around the Sun” by Clifford D. Simak, where people are able to travel to parallel worlds. The fact that some scientists today believe that parallel worlds are possible is even more fascinating!
Philip Pullman’s new books, as a prequel and sequel to the trilogy, are fantastic. I have listened to them both on Audible while driving to work. The strange thing is that, after leaving the car and walking through the village to work, it feels odd to notice a cat on its own, or a person walking their dog without talking to it!
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Let’s hope the next series is as good as the second book. My husband has a copy of Belle Sauvage but I haven’t read it yet. Actually I always talk to any cat I meet! I share your excitement with the idea of travelling into parallel worlds but I’d like to be invisible just in case.
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