I don't expect Pullman to share or endorse my theological views, to be sure -- I don't expect that from any author. Even where my coreligionists are concerned, there are points at which I disagree with Lewis, Chesterton, McDonald, etc. Indeed, if I ever came across a work of fiction touching on religious issues with which I agreed entirely and unreservedly, I would probably drop dead of shock. :)
I've also said, in the comments here and in other discussions about Pullman, that I think he has a fantastic creative mind and is an enormously talented author. I would agree with you about the brilliance of his ideas and his ability to create compelling characters. I also like his narrative style, and like you said, he has an incredible ability to create suspense and engage the reader's emotions.
I should have mentioned that before coming to HDM I had already read all but one of the Sally Lockhart books (I missed the second in the series, but only because my library didn't have it) and also The Tin Princess -- and although I found Pullman's approach to morality to be highly dubious at times, I still found much to enjoy in his books. So I do think Pullman deserves credit as an able and intriguing author, regardless of what I may feel about his attitude to Christianity.
However, there's a difference between an author who doesn't share my spiritual and moral beliefs and makes no effort to cater to my philosophy (which would include a lot of authors whose work I really enjoy), and an author who sets out to aggressively attack and defame the God and the faith I hold dear, and to belittle my philosophy at every turn. And the latter is why I can't enjoy HDM, in spite of all the fascinating ideas and characters Pullman conjured up in that first book. I can handle Pullman's atheism; I just don't want to listen to him blaspheme.
That's interesting about the sexism, though. I'd heard other reviewers (on Amazon, for instance) lament that Lyra's strength of character and preeminence in the narrative really suffered once Will came on the scene, and some of them did indeed cry sexism. Not having read the second and third books myself, I didn't know how much stock to put in those complaints... but hearing the same from you definitely puts it into the "Things That Make You Go 'Hmm'" category.
Re: A vote for and against Pullman
I've also said, in the comments here and in other discussions about Pullman, that I think he has a fantastic creative mind and is an enormously talented author. I would agree with you about the brilliance of his ideas and his ability to create compelling characters. I also like his narrative style, and like you said, he has an incredible ability to create suspense and engage the reader's emotions.
I should have mentioned that before coming to HDM I had already read all but one of the Sally Lockhart books (I missed the second in the series, but only because my library didn't have it) and also The Tin Princess -- and although I found Pullman's approach to morality to be highly dubious at times, I still found much to enjoy in his books. So I do think Pullman deserves credit as an able and intriguing author, regardless of what I may feel about his attitude to Christianity.
However, there's a difference between an author who doesn't share my spiritual and moral beliefs and makes no effort to cater to my philosophy (which would include a lot of authors whose work I really enjoy), and an author who sets out to aggressively attack and defame the God and the faith I hold dear, and to belittle my philosophy at every turn. And the latter is why I can't enjoy HDM, in spite of all the fascinating ideas and characters Pullman conjured up in that first book. I can handle Pullman's atheism; I just don't want to listen to him blaspheme.
That's interesting about the sexism, though. I'd heard other reviewers (on Amazon, for instance) lament that Lyra's strength of character and preeminence in the narrative really suffered once Will came on the scene, and some of them did indeed cry sexism. Not having read the second and third books myself, I didn't know how much stock to put in those complaints... but hearing the same from you definitely puts it into the "Things That Make You Go 'Hmm'" category.