BBC’s Lizo Mzimba recently recorded an interview with Philip Pullman, discussing with him his thoughts on the adaptation of The Golden Compass, but also his thoughts for the future, particularly the casting of an actor to play Will Parry in an eventual Subtle Knife movie. Pullman states that New Line will make a decision over more movies ‘very soon’. Watch it here, or just below.
We reported a few days ago about an interview with Philip Pullman in Christianity Today. The journalist who wrote the piece, Peter T. Chattaway, interviewed Pullman by way of a series of emails in September, and while his material had to be significantly shortened for publication, he has posted his interview in full on his blog, which can be read here.
Evangelical magazine Christianity Today features an interview with Philip Pullman, which while covering a number of similar issues as many other current publications, does in some ways bring a new twist to light, due to the editorial stance of the magazine. It’s certainly worth a read for anyone who wants to be fully informed of the arguments about The Golden Compass. You can read it in full here.
The Telegraph recently profiled author Philip Pullman, detailing some of his life after Exeter College, Oxford and how His Dark Materials came to be. “He once considered abandoning The Amber Spyglass when the stationer who had been selling him the notepads he had used for years - narrow-lined, two holes - said the range had been replaced with a four-hole variety.” Read more.
The sketch also mentions, “he is writing a prequel to the trilogy which is expected in 2009,” which may indicate how The Book of Dust is progressing and what it might contain.
Philip Pullman has contributed an editorial for this week’s Sunday Times, defending his story in face of the religious controversy raised by the Catholic League. He also defends Christ Weitz and New Line Cinema from fans’ preemptive criticism. He finds himself happy with the film treatment of his story and says: “The movie isn’t perfect, but then neither is the book: if you want perfection, go and read a haiku.” Read more.
An advertisement has featured in the print version of The Guardian newspaper twice within the last week, advertising a discussion between John Mullan and Philip Pullman for the Guardian book club on December 20th at the Brunei Gallery (on Thornhaugh Street next to the main SOAS building) in London. The evening begins at 6.30pm (for a 7pm start) and will apparently also feature a ‘Christmas’ quiz.
Ticket prices are 10 GBP per person, and included in the price is a glass of wine and a mince pie. To buy, you should either phone 020 7886 9281 or email book.club@guardian.co.uk.
As there is no mention of this event on the internet, those of you who are interested should perhaps check the Guardian during the upcoming week for further details.
Eleanor Wachtel of CBC’s Writers & Company spoke to Philip Pullman in Toronto at Trinity College’s ‘Particles of Narrative’ conference on children’s literature, during his North American tour. The first part of the interview (45 minutes) which aired this past Sunday, 25 November, is available in RealAudio here. While there little new with regards to the trilogy for most His Dark Materials fans, the conversation exposes much of Philip Pullman’s life, especially growing up. He also discusses the themes of storytelling in his own life, including his experience in education.
Part two of the conversation airs this coming Sunday, 2 December and again Thursday, 6 December.
Posted by Cookiemonster on November 28, 2007 at 4:27 am
BBC: Philip Pullman has hit back at critics who accuse him of peddling “candy-coated atheism”, dismissing claims that the film promotes atheism and denigrates Christianity as “absolute rubbish”. “I am a story teller,” he said. ” If I wanted to send a message I would have written a sermon.” Read more.
Pullman also spoke to the CBC in response to an Ontario school board’s review of the book’s position on its elementary school library shelves, “If you want people to read a book, then make a fuss about it, make it controversial. Tell your children they are not to read this book under any circumstances. What is more likely to make them go to the shelf and take it down and read it from there?” Read more.
Posted by Cookiemonster on November 28, 2007 at 4:09 am
BBC News reports that Philip Pullman, already an honourary fellow at Bangor University, has recently been made an honourary professor there. Pullman will take seminars for Bangor students and host discussions on literature and narrative structures. The author was “delighted,” crediting north Wales as the place where he was awakened “to the pleasures and responsibilities of literature.”
The Times Online have posted an article today, in which they hail The Golden Compass as “the year’s most eagerly awaited film” and talk to Pullman himself about what he thinks of the film. The author told them that the film was “stunning” and what impressed him most about the film “was the way the human figures and the computer images have been integrated on the screen. They really do look as if they occupy the same space.” Read the full article here.
We reported a few days ago about an interview with Philip Pullman in Christianity Today. The journalist who wrote the piece, Peter T. Chattaway, interviewed Pullman by way of a series of emails in September, and while his material had to be significantly shortened for publication, he has posted his interview in full on his blog, which can be read here.
The Telegraph recently profiled author Philip Pullman, detailing some of his life after Exeter College, Oxford and how His Dark Materials came to be. “He once considered abandoning The Amber Spyglass when the stationer who had been selling him the notepads he had used for years - narrow-lined, two holes - said the range had been replaced with a four-hole variety.” Read more.
An advertisement has featured in the print version of The Guardian newspaper twice within the last week, advertising a discussion between John Mullan and Philip Pullman for the Guardian book club on December 20th at the Brunei Gallery (on Thornhaugh Street next to the main SOAS building) in London. The evening begins at 6.30pm (for a 7pm start) and will apparently also feature a ‘Christmas’ quiz.
BBC News reports that Philip Pullman, already an honourary fellow at Bangor University, has recently been made an honourary professor there. Pullman will take seminars for Bangor students and host discussions on literature and narrative structures. The author was “delighted,” crediting north Wales as the place where he was awakened “to the pleasures and responsibilities of literature.”
