the scenic route is long and winding

I first heard of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy during my Daniel Craig phase. I learned that he was going to play someone named Lord Asriel and it seemed very macho to me. At first, it was the thought of DC playing another alpha male that got me interested.

So I grabbed a copy of the trilogy and promptly spent lunch breaks poring over chapters of "dust", "energy", and "dark matter". But by the time i read "armored polar bear" by the name of Iorek Byrnison, I was entranced. yes, DC's manliness can only play second fiddle to fluffy, bloody ice mammals with a soft spot for a liar of a little girl.

there's something enchanting about these books, supposedly for children. It's brave, it's subtle, it's well-written. it manages to make some of the more "new age" beliefs tie in with more traditional religions. it's like reading The Celestine Prophecy, only grander yet also simpler.

after a chapter (which is now my favorite) in book two left me weeping, i knew i found a treasure of a book.

(may be a spoiler)
in this chapter, a courageous hare mutters to a lifelong companion, "shame to die with one bullet left, though." And old cowboy Lee Scoresby and his beloved daemon Hester fend off enemies with every last ounce of strength.

i can't can't can't wait for the movie. if it's at least half as intelligent and entertaining a romp as the book, i may forget about DC altogether.