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Darkness Visible: Inside the World of Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman is one of the most popular authors for kids today. His award winning Dark Materials trilogy has sold millions of copies worldwide. Darkness Visible is a terrific guide for anyone who is a fan of Pullman's wonderful stories, and uncovers the authors many themes and inspirations.
216 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 10, 2020
listening spellbound, Pullman felt gripped as never before and began to wonder about the written word...
Prepare to take a voyage into the past that finishes with a moment of self-discovery, as 'Darkness visible' reveals the inner workings of a highly imaginative writer.
On writing, Pullman believes that the story comes first and that it is through stories we can best hope to understand both ourselves and others. He takes a 'path taken by the soul'[a comment by Heinrich Von Kleist], which correlates with a Kantish view of how [one] 'builds the republic of heaven where we are, as there is nowhere else for us' [add in 'in this lifetime]. His writing often sways to Mythopoeic ; writing powerful enough to create its own myths and in doing so, give shape to readers various fears and fantasies. Pullman believes that 'there will always be a level of uncertainty when it comes to understanding the world we live in', hence why man is drawn to discover more about such a fascinating creation!
Full of details exploring heroic characters who are humane, believable and empathetic, Pullman's open-minded approach to man's true nature is fully realized. His characters testify to an imagination willing to go the extra distance into other worlds, which isn't far from his own 'way of thinking'.
"His imagination is limitless. He dares to do what most don't even dare to think!"
Themes such as Christianity versus German idealism are delved into great depths, as Pullman attempts to 'bridge the divide between reality and fantastical fiction'. He also looks at the soul, heart and humanistic qualities naturally relevant in our world, as outlined in Milton's Paradise Lost. Greek myths, Dante, Blake and even Quantum physics spring to mind, as this incredible author weaves his complex yet truth-drawing narratives. On 'Dust' he explains how...
'It is only a name for what happens when matter begins to understand itself'.
My concluding point is this; if you're interested in exploring and examining what 'is' then take a look at this fascinating book!
Prepare to take a voyage into the past that finishes with a moment of self-discovery, as 'Darkness visible' reveals the inner workings of a highly imaginative writer.
On writing, Pullman believes that the story comes first and that it is through stories we can best hope to understand both ourselves and others. He takes a 'path taken by the soul'[a comment by Heinrich Von Kleist], which correlates with a Kantish view of how [one] 'builds the republic of heaven where we are, as there is nowhere else for us' [add in 'in this lifetime]. His writing often sways to Mythopoeic ; writing powerful enough to create its own myths and in doing so, give shape to readers various fears and fantasies. Pullman believes that 'there will always be a level of uncertainty when it comes to understanding the world we live in', hence why man is drawn to discover more about such a fascinating creation!
Full of details exploring heroic characters who are humane, believable and empathetic, Pullman's open-minded approach to man's true nature is fully realized. His characters testify to an imagination willing to go the extra distance into other worlds, which isn't far from his own 'way of thinking'.
"His imagination is limitless. He dares to do what most don't even dare to think!"
Themes such as Christianity versus German idealism are delved into great depths, as Pullman attempts to 'bridge the divide between reality and fantastical fiction'. He also looks at the soul, heart and humanistic qualities naturally relevant in our world, as outlined in Milton's Paradise Lost. Greek myths, Dante, Blake and even Quantum physics spring to mind, as this incredible author weaves his complex yet truth-drawing narratives. On 'Dust' he explains how...
'It is only a name for what happens when matter begins to understand itself'.
My concluding point is this; if you're interested in exploring and examining what 'is' then take a look at this fascinating book!
December 29, 2019
I picked up this book having an interest in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and literary criticism. What I wound up reading was someone’s personal collection of tidbits and stories amassed about both the man and the story, entangled in loopy logic and a high rate of opinion.
Take this line, as a conclusive statement to a segment arguing for that age-old character arc of ‘love completes you’ - I don’t even know was trying to be argued, to be honest:
“When [Will] finally realises that he loves Lyra, he becomes a whole person at last, able to admit to the strong feelings he had up till then kept hidden away” (72)
Chapters like “Will and Lyra” struggle to fill the gaps of Tucker’s assumptive opinions, whereas later chapters like “Influences and Comparisons” or “Pullman’s Philosophy” offer a more grounded discussion of Pullman’s ideas in HDM.
I was even beginning to forgive the book’s rough edges and immature mistaking of opinion for fact until I read this line:
“But as everyone who temporarily falls for [Mrs. Coulter] soon discovers, feminine allure is a false friend unless also accompanied by love and kindness.” (110)
I can’t even decide whether this is more sloppy writing that fumbles at Tucker’s vague thesis, or if this really is Tucker’s opinion. Is Tucker obfuscating his misogynist opinions in a book of literary criticism about someone else’s work? Or are his ideas really this messy that I can’t tell the difference? Tucker so often leaps back and forth between arguments, leaves the discussion without having said much at all except for a literal recap of events, includes so many unsourced references, and doesn’t rely on examples from any of Pullman’s works to prove what are essentially his opinions of the world that I wound up confused as to what his actual point was most of the time.
This is a highly opinionated book from someone whose only prerequisite to writing a book about Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials (let alone anything at all) is having known Pullman in some fashion. In its entirety, the work comes across as a jumbled and immature list of facts and opinions hastily written as an essay for an undergrad humanities class.
However, to be fair, I did learn a few things from this book. And since Tucker is so fond of comparisons, I’ll say that this book might have worked better as a book of facts, much in the style of Alain de Botton’s How Proust Can Change Your Life. There were a number of diverse references in this book, from a translated version of On the Marionette Theatre, to precise visual and literary inspirations to Pullman and the world of Lyra. I can imagine how much more powerful those tidbits could have been interspersed amongst and referencing these pieces.
Take this line, as a conclusive statement to a segment arguing for that age-old character arc of ‘love completes you’ - I don’t even know was trying to be argued, to be honest:
“When [Will] finally realises that he loves Lyra, he becomes a whole person at last, able to admit to the strong feelings he had up till then kept hidden away” (72)
Chapters like “Will and Lyra” struggle to fill the gaps of Tucker’s assumptive opinions, whereas later chapters like “Influences and Comparisons” or “Pullman’s Philosophy” offer a more grounded discussion of Pullman’s ideas in HDM.
I was even beginning to forgive the book’s rough edges and immature mistaking of opinion for fact until I read this line:
“But as everyone who temporarily falls for [Mrs. Coulter] soon discovers, feminine allure is a false friend unless also accompanied by love and kindness.” (110)
I can’t even decide whether this is more sloppy writing that fumbles at Tucker’s vague thesis, or if this really is Tucker’s opinion. Is Tucker obfuscating his misogynist opinions in a book of literary criticism about someone else’s work? Or are his ideas really this messy that I can’t tell the difference? Tucker so often leaps back and forth between arguments, leaves the discussion without having said much at all except for a literal recap of events, includes so many unsourced references, and doesn’t rely on examples from any of Pullman’s works to prove what are essentially his opinions of the world that I wound up confused as to what his actual point was most of the time.
This is a highly opinionated book from someone whose only prerequisite to writing a book about Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials (let alone anything at all) is having known Pullman in some fashion. In its entirety, the work comes across as a jumbled and immature list of facts and opinions hastily written as an essay for an undergrad humanities class.
However, to be fair, I did learn a few things from this book. And since Tucker is so fond of comparisons, I’ll say that this book might have worked better as a book of facts, much in the style of Alain de Botton’s How Proust Can Change Your Life. There were a number of diverse references in this book, from a translated version of On the Marionette Theatre, to precise visual and literary inspirations to Pullman and the world of Lyra. I can imagine how much more powerful those tidbits could have been interspersed amongst and referencing these pieces.
September 17, 2021
This is a highly opinionated book from someone whose only prerequisite to writing a book about Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials (let alone anything at all) is knowing Pullman in some fashion. In its entirety, the work comes across as a messy and immature list of facts and opinions hastily written as an essay for an undergrad humanities class.
However, I did learn a few things from this book. There were several diverse references in this book, from a translated version of On the Marionette Theatre to precise visual and literary inspirations to Pullman and the world of Lyra. I can imagine how much more powerful those tidbits could have been interspersed amongst and referencing these pieces. And since Tucker is so fond of comparisons, I’ll say that this book might have worked better as a book of facts, much in the style of Alain de Botton’s How Proust Can Change Your Life.
However, I did learn a few things from this book. There were several diverse references in this book, from a translated version of On the Marionette Theatre to precise visual and literary inspirations to Pullman and the world of Lyra. I can imagine how much more powerful those tidbits could have been interspersed amongst and referencing these pieces. And since Tucker is so fond of comparisons, I’ll say that this book might have worked better as a book of facts, much in the style of Alain de Botton’s How Proust Can Change Your Life.
February 26, 2019
Okay, so this was very interesting but also kinda boring. I felt like I wanted more from it, but this was aimed at a more MG audience and I think I was looking for something that would have come from an adult biography. All the facts and titbits were still so interesting and I loved reading it and the photographs and would totally recommend to any Pullman fan.
January 21, 2021
If you're a fan of the Dark Materials trilogy you don't want to miss this slim volume. Beginning with a short biography of the author Tucker then delves into many of the characters and themes of the books in depth. Included at the end is an interview with the author.
July 5, 2022
Super interesting!
June 7, 2011
This novel is essentially a commentary on the works of Philip Pullman with a short biography on him serving as an introduction.
It's a rather torturous read for the first hundred pages or so if you're not familiar with the works of Pullman. I persevered during that part because Pullman is the author of The Golden Compass, which I've watched the movie adaptation of and greatly enjoyed, and also because I hate to leave a book I've started unfinished.
I'm glad I continued though because there's an excellent discussion on the similarities in his works with those of his idols, Paradise Lost by John Milton; works by William Blake, in the latter chapters, and a riveting essay by Heinrich von Kleich - another one of his influences - at the end of the book. In these chapters, Tucker discusses the philosophical and religious themes present in those works, the stance Pullman takes on these issues, how his works reflect his views, and how he differs from other authors that have tackled similar plots.
It would probably be best to acquaint yourself with several of Pullman's works so as not to get lost in this book.
It's a rather torturous read for the first hundred pages or so if you're not familiar with the works of Pullman. I persevered during that part because Pullman is the author of The Golden Compass, which I've watched the movie adaptation of and greatly enjoyed, and also because I hate to leave a book I've started unfinished.
I'm glad I continued though because there's an excellent discussion on the similarities in his works with those of his idols, Paradise Lost by John Milton; works by William Blake, in the latter chapters, and a riveting essay by Heinrich von Kleich - another one of his influences - at the end of the book. In these chapters, Tucker discusses the philosophical and religious themes present in those works, the stance Pullman takes on these issues, how his works reflect his views, and how he differs from other authors that have tackled similar plots.
It would probably be best to acquaint yourself with several of Pullman's works so as not to get lost in this book.
February 21, 2010
This is a quick, easy read with the first half of the book being a brief biography of Pullman and then a description of his early works. The second half of the book briefly describes and then analyzes Pullman's "Dark Materials" trilogy. There are some interesting insights into the religiosity of the trilogy. The trilogy is anti-organized religion and a re-interpretation of the Adam and Eve incident in the Bible. Rather than being a sin to eat of the tree of knowledge it was a good thing. "The sense of shame was imposed on Adam and Eve by a grim-faced authority." This interpretation allows the Church to "impose[d:] a seal of shame on all believers," and by doing so "the Church could then set itself up as the only institution capable of bestowing forgiveness for a state of consciousness that in fact never needed to be excused or forgiven in the first place."
August 9, 2019
I picked up this book to help decide if I wanted to join a read-along of Pullman’s trilogy. Unfortunately the “philosophy of Dust” made as much sense to me as philosophy usually does (none) so I will skip reading the whole first trilogy and 2/3 of the second one (to be published soon).
October 27, 2007
Freakin' awesome picture of Philip Pullman in a top hat. Also interesting. It's a two-fer.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews