Book Review 10: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

Titles: His Dark Materials Trilogy: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass
Author: Philip Pullman
Published: Scholastic Ballantine Books, New York, 1997-2000
Pages: 351, 288, and 548, total of 1187
Total pages: 6945
Text number: 22-24
Read for: My own enjoyment
In brief: I would call this another great classic childrens' series. Although not as well known as Harry Potter and Narnia, I believe His Dark Materials is equally important and makes equally good literature for both children and adults. The series begins in a world very different and yet very much like ours and moves through are world and clearly alien worlds. It is about a mysterious material called Dust (or Dark Matter, or Shadows) and the role that this material plays in the creation of human consciousness, maturity, and identity. Both magical and moral (though in a very unexpected way), the journey of the texts is huge, decisive, and wonderfully written, the characters and their relationships are both realistic and inspirational, and the ideas and multiple worlds are well thought out and described. I can't recommend this series more: it is a spectacular read and really is right up there with those other great childrens' series.

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Book Review 11: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Title: East of Eden
Author: John Steinbeck
Published: Penguin Books, New York, 2002
Pages: 601
Total pages: 7546
Text number: 25
Read for: My own enjoyment
In brief: I have a couple problems with Steinbeck's characterization, but I still enjoyed this book. Well-written, with a interesting, woven storyline, dramatic characters, and a unique and important message, it's a readable, interesting, and important text. Not my favorite book but the best I've read by Steinbeck so far and I would recommend it to the serious reader looking for an epic novel.

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