"His Dark Materials" is a trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman, comprising Northern Lights (1995, also known as The Golden Compass in North America), The Subtle Knife (1997), and The Amber Spyglass (2000). The series follows the coming-of-age journey of Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry as they navigate through multiple parallel universes. While marketed to young adults, Pullman wrote without a specific audience in mind. The novels blend fantasy elements like witches and armored polar bears with concepts from physics, philosophy, and theology. They function as a reimagining of Milton's Paradise Lost. The series has sometimes faced controversy for its criticism of religion.
The synopsis involves Lyra, an orphan, who uncovers a dangerous secret involving Lord Asriel and Marisa Coulter. Her search for a missing friend reveals kidnappings and a mysterious substance called Dust, leading to an epic journey across worlds. A skilled user can use an "alethiometer" to find truthful answers. As of 2023, the trilogy has sold over 22 million copies in 50 countries and has been translated into over 40 languages. Page counts vary depending on the edition; for example, the Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics edition is 1144 pages, while another edition of The Golden Compass is listed as 448 pages. Adaptations include a film adaptation of Northern Lights titled The Golden Compass (2007), a BBC/HBO television series (2019-2022), radio dramatizations, stage plays, audiobooks, and graphic novels.
Notable awards and recognition include the Carnegie Medal for Northern Lights in 1995, the Whitbread Book of the Year for The Amber Spyglass in 2001, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2005. The trilogy was also ranked third in the BBC's Big Read poll in 2003. The series has companion works such as Lyra's Oxford, Once Upon a Time in the North, The Collectors, Serpentine, and The Book of Dust trilogy.
