His Dark Materials : "Northern Lights", "The Subtle Knife", "The Amber Spyglass"

"Northern Lights" introduces Lyra, an orphan, who lives in a parallel universe in which science, theology and magic are entwined. Lyra's search for a kidnapped friend uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and turns into a quest to understand a mysterious phenomenon called Dust. In "The Subtle Knife" she is joined on her journey by Will, a boy who possesses a knife that can cut windows between worlds. As Lyra learns the truth about her parents and her prophesied destiny, the two young people are caught up in a war against celestial powers that ranges across many worlds and leads to a thrilling conclusion in "The Amber Spyglass". The epic story Pullman tells is not only a spellbinding adventure featuring armoured polar bears, magical devices, witches and daemons, it is also an audacious and profound re-imagining of Milton's "Paradise Lost". An utterly entrancing blend of metaphysical speculation and bravura storytelling, "His Dark Materials" is a monumental and enduring achievement.

Philip Pullman CBE, FRSL (born 19 October 1946) is an English writer from Norwich. He is the best-selling author of several books, most notably his trilogy of fantasy novels, His Dark Materials, and his fictionalised biography of Jesus, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. The first book of His Dark Materials has been turned into the film The Golden Compass and the first two books from his Sally Lockhart series as well as his children's novel I was a Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers have been adapted for television. Introducer Biography: Lucy Hughes-Hallett is a cultural historian and critic. She is the author of Cleopatra: Queen, Lover, Legend and Heroes: Saviours, Traitors and Supermen. She reviews regularly for the Sunday Times Books Section.