News
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by jessia on March 20, 2008 at 8:12 am
 Philip Pullman speaks to free lance journalist A.S.H. Smyth in this Tuesday’s Spectator about his upcoming book Once Upon a Time in the North and especially Lee Scoresby. Moving beyond God and towards British politics, globalisation, and the environment, Pullman arrives at a story where Lee and Iorek Byrnison, “finding that their interests mutually coincide with those of a Dutch merchant whose cargo has been illegally impounded, pool their strengths, automatically and almost wordlessly, in defence of the little man,” upon inspiration from The Magnificent Seven. Fans will also discover the origins of Lee’s balloon and Winchester rifle. Read more
Once Upon a Time in the North comes out April 3rd.
Posted by Ian on March 19, 2008 at 9:49 pm
 Chris Bond of the Yorkshire Post newspaper spoke to Philip Pullman recently, when Pullman visited Leeds University on World Book Day to give a lecture entitled Poco a Poco, concerning children’s literature. Bond’s article features discussion with Pullman over a number of issues, and while there is little revealed that is particularly new, it is certainly well worth a read. Read the article here.
Posted by jessia on March 17, 2008 at 8:09 am
 Susannah Herbert from the Sunday Times spoke to Philip Pullman recently to discuss his upcoming release, Once Upon a Time in the North and reveals a number of concerns that are informing not only the author’s writing but also his lifestyle and ideas on the state of things. Drawing upon his childhood imagination of a heroic father and his favourite Western, The Magnificent Seven, he says about this story dedicated to the much loved Texan cowboy Lee Scoresby, “It wasn’t until I was some way into it that I realised: it’s about honour… Of course.”
More pressing, however, is the environmental message behind the story: ‘While the evil forces of the trilogy were all linked to an oppressive theocracy, their equivalents in Once Upon a Time in the North are allied to an oil corporation that is trying to buy up politicians and subvert the rule of law.’ Discussing the worldwide obsession with the market, Pullman compares the violence of imperialism in Roman Antiquity to the globally destructive damage done today and recalls a time just before his birth when consumption was controlled by wartime rations. “Humanity needs to evolve morally if it is to survive. We have to change and it will be very uncomfortable. But if we don’t, the alternative will be worse.” Read more.
Posted by krebbe on February 19, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Philip Pullman is to contribute to a new children’s comic beginning in May. From publisher David Fickling and backed by Random House, The DFC will feature brand new content from top contributors and will be available to order online from http://www.thedfc.co.uk. Pullman’s strip is reported to tell the tale of a mysterious boy sailing in the Pacific. He reports:
“I’ve always loved comics, and when I first heard about the DFC, I leapt at the chance of being involved. The chance to work in this wonderfully fluid and exciting form was too good to miss. I’ve had a lot of fun with the story of John Blake, and I hope readers will enjoy it as well as all the other great things in the DFC.”
Further information on the story is a closely guarded secret and will only be revealed to subscribers when the comic arrives at their doors on May 30th. Details on the comic can be found at thebookseller.com and in this PR Newswire press release.
Posted by Ian on February 16, 2008 at 9:41 pm
According to the Oxford Mail, Philip Pullman is to appear at the Oxford Literary Festival, to discuss amongst other things his new book Once Upon A Time In The North which is due for release on April 4th. “Mr Pullman’s appearance at Oxford Town Hall on March 31 will ensure a memorable launch for both his book and the festival.” Hosted by Christ Church, the festival will see many speakers and authors-in-residence - including a strong representation of local writers - including playwright Tom Stoppard (originally hired to draft The Golden Compass’ screenplay), geneticist Richard Dawkins ( The God Delusion), PD James ( The Children of Men), fiction critic Peter Kemp, and many more. Read more.
Posted by Ian on January 29, 2008 at 3:18 pm
As a an honourary professor at the University of Bangor in north Wales, Philip Pullman is to speak at the establishment on February 9th along with several other speakers. The day is entitled ‘Upon My Word!’ and is a celebration of literature at Bangor. It’s an open event beginning at 9am and all are welcome. You can read about it here.
Posted by Ian on January 22, 2008 at 3:35 am
Last Saturday’s Daily Telegraph newspaper featured an exclusive article about a conversation between Philip Pullman and journalist Andrew Simms about Pullman’s environmentalism. Amongst other things Pullman speaks of the first time he realised that there was a problem with the climate and environment. You can read the article in full here.
Posted by Ian on December 22, 2007 at 2:55 am
Philip Pullman last night spoke to John Mullan and members of the Guardian Book Club at the Brunei Gallery in London. Pullman spoke about Milton, morality and heading for the Arctic, and also took questions from the audience.You can listen to a podcast of the full discussion here.
Posted by jessia on December 14, 2007 at 6:44 am
Philip Pullman’s official website has been updated since the release of the film adaptation of The Golden Compass, with the message: “I shall have more to say about it in due course, but for the moment there are two interviews I did recently in which I think I’ve managed to say a few things clearly.” He links to Peter Chattaway’s FilmChat blog with whom he conducted a lengthy interview by e-mail, and a conversation with editor-in-chief James Mustich for the Barnes & Noble Review on the art of storytelling. The e-mail interview was conducted earlier for an article in Christianity Today but wass posted by the original interviewer in its entirety on his personal blog. The Barnes & Noble interview was conducted 1st November, likely during Pullman’s North American tour.
Posted by Ian on December 13, 2007 at 11:49 pm
The Oxford Times reports that plans to redevelop the Castle Mill boatyard in the Jericho area of Oxford (which is where parts of Northern Lights are set) were on Tuesday evening thrown out by Oxford City Council.
Councillors were met by a standing ovation at the end of meeting, which had standing room only as protesters packed in to plead their case. There was further delight when the council produced a further five reasons against the proposal, on top of the original four submitted by Oxford planning officers.
Philip Pullman spoke to the 150-strong audience and described the proposed development: “It displays an arrogance of scale. It will fundamentally alter the whole appearance of the canal in both directions. It’s like finding a bird’s nest and throwing a brick into it.”
You can read the article in full here.
|
The Oxford Times reports that plans to redevelop the Castle Mill boatyard in the Jericho area of Oxford (which is where parts of Northern Lights are set) were on Tuesday evening thrown out by Oxford City Council.
Councillors were met by a standing ovation at the end of meeting, which had standing room only as protesters packed in to plead their case. There was further delight when the council produced a further five reasons against the proposal, on top of the original four submitted by Oxford planning officers.
Philip Pullman spoke to the 150-strong audience and described the proposed development: “It displays an arrogance of scale. It will fundamentally alter the whole appearance of the canal in both directions. It’s like finding a bird’s nest and throwing a brick into it.”
You can read the article in full here.
