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Originally Posted by bfisher
I've always wondered about Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy versus C.S. Lewis Narnia books. I've read neither, although I understood that the Narnia books were meant to be understood as a Christian metaphor. The only Lewis book I've "read" is a narration by John Cleese of The Screwtape Letters - I enjoyed that, although I'm not sure how much of that was due to Cleese or to Lewis. Likewise, I've heard that the Dark Materials books have encountered a lot of opposition from organized religion, which I supposed is where the banned/supressed aspect comes in.
Can anyone who has read both series comment on how they compare, both as fantasies and ideologically?
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They're very different. Both are good, but in different ways.
The Narnia books are definitely children's books and, although written as a Christian allegory, that probably won't be obvious to their intended readership.
The Pullman books are nominally "young adult", but entirely suited to an adult readership, to my mind. The theme against organised religion is overt in the plot.
Both are very enjoyable, but for an adult reader I'd recommend Pullman.