Are You Writing Serious Fantasy?

[Naaramare]

what things you think would be too hard for them?

(pre-apologies for all those who haven't read them books, be alert for spoilers! ^^;;; )

My best example of what they tend to get hung up on is Mrs Coulter. Is she a heroine or a villainess? And when does she become which? She drugs Lyra, steals her from her friends, keeps her captive and controlled--yet she believes (or says she does!) that she's protecting her, and in the end gives her life for the "good guys", because of Lyra.

Where did the demarkation start? Why? There are a thousand different levels there to be looked at and read into. . .but I know that most of my friends (I love them dearly, but I'm an intellectual anomaly . . . sigh) would miss it. They would see the surface symptoms of bad-gal-turned-good and miss all the points beneath that.

Lord Asriel falls under the same category. He murders a child to bring about the end of an opressive, controlling Authority. Which side? What hat is he wearing, the villain's or the hero's?

Iorek Byrnisson, the Gallespian spies . . .even Lyra's no angel, nor is Will. She trusts him because the althieometer says he's a murderer, which she takes to mean that he won't lose his nerve--yet, she's responsible for preventing the death and soul-decay of the universe with her love.

The lines are very, very blurred. I appreciate that, as despite all the mythical and even religious themes Pullman raises, he's still telling the story of people, from their own eyes. And personally, I can't understand why all this is so difficult for the couple of people I've recommended the series to, to understand. I only understand that it is.

That, and I spent two very frustrating twenty minute conversations trying to explain to people what Dust was and why it was so important. ^^;;;

I like everything you had to say about religion, Naaramare

::blushes:: Thank you. It's something I spend a lot of time (probably too much!) thinking about in relation to fantasy stories and my own life.