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Cover of His Dark Materials
Fantasy· United Kingdom

His Dark Materials

by Philip Pullman
Aggregate Editorial Score43/100
BBC Big Read
Published 1995410 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of fantasy have earned the sustained critical attention that His Dark Materials (1995) by Philip Pullman continues to receive. Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry journey through parallel worlds in a quest that brings them face to face with angels, talking armoured bears, and a conspiracy at the heart of the universe. Pullman's trilogy—Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass—is the supreme fantasy for adults masquerading as young-adult fiction. Themes of religion, dust, consciousness run through the work. The book has received recognition from BBC Big Read 1995.

Book Details

AuthorPhilip Pullman
Published1995
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages410
Category🐉 Fantasy
ISBN9780440238133
Editorial Score43/100
About the Category

🐉 Fantasy

Stories set in imaginary worlds with magical or supernatural elements.

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Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Philip Pullman published His Dark Materials in 1995, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of fantasy from United Kingdom. The book's treatment of religion, dust, consciousness, parallel worlds accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: BBC Big Read 1995. With an editorial score of 43/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of His Dark Materials lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of religion, dust, consciousness, parallel worlds is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within United Kingdom's literary landscape, Philip Pullman occupies a significant position. His Dark Materials is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

BBC Big Read
list · national
199519
✍️
About the Author
Philip Pullman
United Kingdom
View Author →

Philip Pullman is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of fantasy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is His Dark Materials about?

Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry journey through parallel worlds in a quest that brings them face to face with angels, talking armoured bears, and a conspiracy at the heart of the universe. Pullman's trilogy—Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass—is the supreme fantasy for adults masquerading as young-adult fiction.

Who wrote His Dark Materials?

His Dark Materials was written by Philip Pullman, from United Kingdom. First published in 1995.

What awards has His Dark Materials won?

His Dark Materials has received the following awards and honours: BBC Big Read 1995.

Is His Dark Materials worth reading?

His Dark Materials is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 19/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in religion, dust, consciousness.

Where can I buy His Dark Materials?

You can buy His Dark Materials on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is His Dark Materials?

His Dark Materials is classified as Fantasy. Stories set in imaginary worlds with magical or supernatural elements.

What country is His Dark Materials from?

His Dark Materials originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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