A review by rhganci
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman

2.0

Pullman’s disdain for God soars in this volume, but is perhaps offset by some heavy fantasy elements, not the least of which is the subtle knife itself. But the undercurrent of hating religion, and more disturbingly, God, is so prevalent. Pullman goes so far as to name the god-figure in his series as “The Authority” and through pieces of dialogue obviously written for the purpose of establishing his villainy, refers to the story as a sort of “sequel” to Paradise Lost in which this time, heaven loses the war. And his operating assumption that God = The Church is expressly stated when a character (I can’t remember which) says that the Authority must be overthrown for the things that the Church has done in His name. And there you have it: the basis for Pullman’s books. The ironic thing that comes forth, however, is that despite Pullman’s “thesis,” Christ’s example shines through one of the most interesting characters: Lee Scoresby, from the country of Texas. He gives his life, willingly and unafraid, for Lyra out of the unconditional love he has for her. That echo of the Great Commandment must have been accidental, and not intentionally ironic, out of Pullman’s desire to add some drama and emotion to the conclusion of his book, therefore referencing God’s greatest example of what love looks like (lest we forget). What does one make of such a faux pas? Hard to say. But it sure makes for an interesting contrast between the one who gives his life and the “hero” of the story, Lord Asriel. If anything, it’s a lovely moment that reminds the reader of how powerful the true “authority” is, and how God’s grace and truth extend even to the darkest places, the ones where He has even been expressly and visciously attacked. Guess that first war in heaven wasn’t such a loss after all.