I believe most people don't know what amazing and important contribution Philip Pullman is for our world. His work, covered as fiction, should be a compulsory read for everyone. The opposition he gets from certain "groups" just proves that. I could listen to him forever.
Phillip's work for the last 12 years has helped me undo major religious trauma in my life as the very person, my mother who traumatized me, also handed me this series when I was 13, unknowing what she was handing me. Its been an honor to witness his work.
In year 7, when life was so much better, stumbled over to my school librarian's desk (who was actually wiping books with antiseptic wipes) and asked her (like the idiot I am) ' Scuse me, what's a daemon & how do I pronounce it'. She looked at me like I spoke in a different language and didn't answer me. This interview is precious. I adore everything about Sir PP and, in my opinion, he is one of the last remaining, true, living, great literary minds of our world and I will treasure his imagination forever. I'm so surprised by his humble attitude. If I wrote those books, and impacted so many people, I'd probably act a lot more pompously. I feel so lucky to have access to this UA-cam interview. It's inspired me not to give up on my own writing pursuits. Thank you.
If you haven't read Daemon Voices, pick it up. He is a literary treasure. As I always say, Jenna Coleman is my celebrity crush, and Philip Pullman is my literary one.
This dude to me was what JK Rowling was to everyone else growing up. The Northern Lights was probably the first 'serious' fantasy novel I read by myself, before I encountered Tolkien. And I'm a Christian. I don't agree with his worldvkiew pertaining to God but he's just such a magical writer and there was so much brilliance in His Dark materials I was able to overlook it.
I think his worldview on God, at least as represented in His Dark Materials, is widely either misunderstood or misrepresented. I went to Catholic School where they hate this guy, but they've never actually read it. It wasn't anti God, to me at least. It feels much more anti suppression of knowledge which the Catholic church has done throughout history. But they have also contributed to wisdom. This book series seeks a middle ground I think.
@@gabrielvermund I felt like he leveled serious criticism at organized religion in the text, but there's a legit discourse to be had around the subject. So I agree, to me it didn't come off as anti religion, so much as critical of it
huge fan of the books. didnt realize he was one of the narrators until he started speaking. and whoa, this dude is awesome! great questions and answers. thanks for the upload!
This was a fantastic talk. He is by far one of the greatest world builders we have seen to date that have put many concepts that was within ourselves in a way that we can see them and engage with them in his story world.
@@Alexander-wq7qo Young enough to have had experience with the internet since I was able to read, old enough to have not had games being as good as they are now, making reading books less enticing to get into. Lucky me ^^
Those were really good questions? The people in that room are way too cool. I wouldn't be able to look at or speak to the author without having a breakdown. '' Your best friend is habit'' I needed that. Talent, hard work and luck. Write every day. This is such a rich interview. Yes I am fangirling over a 73 year old man and I don't have any shame. I'm so sorry for all my obsessed comments. But he speaks so much sense, in such an eloquent way. And he the 'perfect author's voice'. #PhilipPullmanForPrimeMinister
I stole Northern Lights from the school library thinking it was about weed. Got back into fantasy off that book, I remember waiting for 3rd to be published, I've not been so excited for anything to come out since, amazing read.
Ok, I know this comment is a year old, but I have to ask. At what point in the story did you say to yourself “wait a sec. I don’t think this is actually about weed.”?
@@LWD-Hidden-Links Damn. I was kind of imagining you getting to the Gyptians and being like “Yeah alright mate here’s where the weed comes in.” Then getting all the way to the armored bears and being all “Hold up…”
When they start talking about school and libraries in Q & A section, it is so sad because it is true and exactly what had happened to me. As soon as they can get a “C” grade out of someone, you get left behind. I read the His Dark Materials series during secondary school and it took one new teacher talking to me about the series for me to feel a love for learning and reading again. They fired their librarian and I was surprised they even had a proper one to begin with. The system even breaks down teachers who go in with amazing intentions. No one could read my writing and no one bothered to help until exams started. I think I have terrible grammar and punctuation use, but I am so lucky that I enjoyed reading back then to get something out of school.
41:46 Advice to writers: "Don't worry about speed. ... Habit has written far more books than talent has." 25:28 Came watching because I quite like the Golden Compass movie and now I see there is a HBO series. Here Sir Philip the author mentions Thatcher and the Chicago School of Economics ...
At about 39:00 a question is asked and in Philip Pullman's response he references Edward Elgar's, Sospiri, op. 70. Here is a recording of that work: ua-cam.com/video/LW1O3S0AfYw/v-deo.html
OMG, just listened to edward elgar sospiri...40.30...he is right, they need to use this piece in the adaptation. I love this series...nothing has shaped my attention quiet as much as this series, from the first time i read it at 10. Third time around and i still cry....brilliant man. beautiful soul. His demon would defo be a tawny owl hahahaha
I have read La Belle Sauvage twice myself & am currently reading it with my grand-daughter. It is an amazing book (as are the other 3). I do wonder who Malcolm was based on ....
I fully agree with the question at 38:36. well said! I feel the same way and reject the ending so much that I wrote my own version. Sir Pullman's answer is a complete non-answer; no reasoning given other than "it had to be this way", which ironically is in opposition of the main theme of the whole story: the end of destiny.
Fascinating as always, what a brilliant mind! I am confused, though, I listened to an interview with him years ago where he explained his writing habits by saying he wrote exactly three hours per day and always stood up to type. He didn't mention either strategy in his answer here, wonder why?
Peter Hitchens had some dark mutterings about Philip Pullman "killing God", but I think that such an ambition is beyond Sir Philip's powers. They live in the same area, a few miles from the Union. However, I still hope that the Union paid Phil's travel expenses and did not seek a Gratuity, or whatever they call it these days. Richard Dawkins can also be seen in the area of Hitchens' "manor". The two are often observed rolling in the dust, fighting.
He was brilliant, but my God the questioner sounded like a Grade 10 high school student. She cast her line in entirely the wrong parts of the stream, and when there was a bite did nothing to launch a catch. Better just to let the man answer the crowd, she was terribly amateurish with no taste, familiarity or even appreciation of the man's work.
Deplorable D ah yes I’m sure you as a young adult would have simply flawless in your interview style, and not fumble once while interviewing a literary icon. How easy it is to criticize from the sideline. Sure there are things she can improve, but he also seemed to have difficulty hearing the questions, and would go on about slightly different topics. Maybe someone with 20 years of experience could’ve rolled with it more, but we all have to start somewhere. Stop being so critical.
Agree, why choose such a person to interview. It's a waste of the opportunity, resources, his time and attention. Sick of excuses for lack of competence, give every mediocre person a chance and a prize! It's who you know, usually the reason people with less talent get there.
I think these kind of interviews are conducted by the students who are members of the union. This girl should be a student at Oxford. I agree with you in that she’s not familiar with his work. It sounds like she did some research, like watching the movie and googling around. But she doesn’t sound like she’s read any of the books. I watched a similar interview of my favorite singer songwriter Tom Odell at the Cambridge Union. The interviewer who interviewed Tom was not professional either, but she definitely did more digging before the event, and it shows in the interview.
I believe most people don't know what amazing and important contribution Philip Pullman is for our world.
His work, covered as fiction, should be a compulsory read for everyone. The opposition he gets from certain "groups" just proves that.
I could listen to him forever.
I think he would hate that idea
Phillip's work for the last 12 years has helped me undo major religious trauma in my life as the very person, my mother who traumatized me, also handed me this series when I was 13, unknowing what she was handing me. Its been an honor to witness his work.
In year 7, when life was so much better, stumbled over to my school librarian's desk (who was actually wiping books with antiseptic wipes) and asked her (like the idiot I am) ' Scuse me, what's a daemon & how do I pronounce it'. She looked at me like I spoke in a different language and didn't answer me. This interview is precious. I adore everything about Sir PP and, in my opinion, he is one of the last remaining, true, living, great literary minds of our world and I will treasure his imagination forever. I'm so surprised by his humble attitude. If I wrote those books, and impacted so many people, I'd probably act a lot more pompously. I feel so lucky to have access to this UA-cam interview. It's inspired me not to give up on my own writing pursuits. Thank you.
If you haven't read Daemon Voices, pick it up. He is a literary treasure.
As I always say, Jenna Coleman is my celebrity crush, and Philip Pullman is my literary one.
I just discovered him at the age of 76! Being an Oxonian drew me to his writing.
This dude to me was what JK Rowling was to everyone else growing up. The Northern Lights was probably the first 'serious' fantasy novel I read by myself, before I encountered Tolkien. And I'm a Christian. I don't agree with his worldvkiew pertaining to God but he's just such a magical writer and there was so much brilliance in His Dark materials I was able to overlook it.
I think his worldview on God, at least as represented in His Dark Materials, is widely either misunderstood or misrepresented. I went to Catholic School where they hate this guy, but they've never actually read it. It wasn't anti God, to me at least. It feels much more anti suppression of knowledge which the Catholic church has done throughout history. But they have also contributed to wisdom. This book series seeks a middle ground I think.
@@gabrielvermund I felt like he leveled serious criticism at organized religion in the text, but there's a legit discourse to be had around the subject. So I agree, to me it didn't come off as anti religion, so much as critical of it
Seriously Oxford Union, your choice of guests are phenomenal. Thank you so much!! I LOVE his books.
huge fan of the books. didnt realize he was one of the narrators until he started speaking. and whoa, this dude is awesome! great questions and answers. thanks for the upload!
This was a fantastic talk. He is by far one of the greatest world builders we have seen to date that have put many concepts that was within ourselves in a way that we can see them and engage with them in his story world.
51:55 Awesome interview session. Love the trilogy… Thx you for sharing your gift with me!
My favorite writer when I started reading for myself as a kid
Reading for yourself? I like that. That was the point if his books, free thought!
@@Alexander-wq7qo Young enough to have had experience with the internet since I was able to read, old enough to have not had games being as good as they are now, making reading books less enticing to get into. Lucky me ^^
Literally my favourite person ever.
Those were really good questions? The people in that room are way too cool. I wouldn't be able to look at or speak to the author without having a breakdown.
'' Your best friend is habit'' I needed that. Talent, hard work and luck. Write every day. This is such a rich interview. Yes I am fangirling over a 73 year old man and I don't have any shame. I'm so sorry for all my obsessed comments. But he speaks so much sense, in such an eloquent way. And he the 'perfect author's voice'. #PhilipPullmanForPrimeMinister
I stole Northern Lights from the school library thinking it was about weed. Got back into fantasy off that book, I remember waiting for 3rd to be published, I've not been so excited for anything to come out since, amazing read.
Ok, I know this comment is a year old, but I have to ask. At what point in the story did you say to yourself “wait a sec. I don’t think this is actually about weed.”?
@@calvinmusquez9162 probably first page mate
@@LWD-Hidden-Links Damn. I was kind of imagining you getting to the Gyptians and being like “Yeah alright mate here’s where the weed comes in.” Then getting all the way to the armored bears and being all “Hold up…”
@@calvinmusquez9162 haha any minute now, gotta be...
I love this man
From what I've seen so far in His Dark materials Pullman seems enlightened!
When they start talking about school and libraries in Q & A section, it is so sad because it is true and exactly what had happened to me.
As soon as they can get a “C” grade out of someone, you get left behind. I read the His Dark Materials series during secondary school and it took one new teacher talking to me about the series for me to feel a love for learning and reading again.
They fired their librarian and I was surprised they even had a proper one to begin with.
The system even breaks down teachers who go in with amazing intentions. No one could read my writing and no one bothered to help until exams started. I think I have terrible grammar and punctuation use, but I am so lucky that I enjoyed reading back then to get something out of school.
It's a shame they didn't have an audio typing system like they do today, thankfully I have spell and grammar check plus a calculator.
I could listen to him for hours. Absolutely wonderful writer. Would love to meet him and talk to him about literature and other topics
41:46 Advice to writers: "Don't worry about speed. ... Habit has written far more books than talent has."
25:28 Came watching because I quite like the Golden Compass movie and now I see there is a HBO series. Here Sir Philip the author mentions Thatcher and the Chicago School of Economics ...
Philip Pullman is a genius. He just is
At about 39:00 a question is asked and in Philip Pullman's response he references Edward Elgar's, Sospiri, op. 70. Here is a recording of that work: ua-cam.com/video/LW1O3S0AfYw/v-deo.html
Great bloke!
OMG, just listened to edward elgar sospiri...40.30...he is right, they need to use this piece in the adaptation.
I love this series...nothing has shaped my attention quiet as much as this series, from the first time i read it at 10.
Third time around and i still cry....brilliant man. beautiful soul. His demon would defo be a tawny owl hahahaha
quite
I have read La Belle Sauvage twice myself & am currently reading it with my grand-daughter. It is an amazing book (as are the other 3). I do wonder who Malcolm was based on ....
I fully agree with the question at 38:36. well said! I feel the same way and reject the ending so much that I wrote my own version. Sir Pullman's answer is a complete non-answer; no reasoning given other than "it had to be this way", which ironically is in opposition of the main theme of the whole story: the end of destiny.
1:38 - 'If anybody's read _La Belle Sauvage...'_ Goodness - I only finished _La Belle Sauvage_ ten minutes ago!
Fascinating as always, what a brilliant mind! I am confused, though, I listened to an interview with him years ago where he explained his writing habits by saying he wrote exactly three hours per day and always stood up to type. He didn't mention either strategy in his answer here, wonder why?
oh my gosh, I am on page 70 of my book and I've hit a wall!
Did you know that Philip Pullman lives just next door to me, I see him lots!
Pullman and Salman Rushdie both brilliant, both in a similar boat.
Me: looks at the channel name
Channel: "Oxford"
Me: *thIs iSn'T a CoiNcIDecE*
When is the last instalment of “The Book of Dust” going to be released. Waiting on tender hooks for it
I love how his desk is a terrible mess. I can't work on a clean desk either. Great minds think alike. 😆
Peter Hitchens had some dark mutterings about Philip Pullman "killing God", but I think that such an ambition is beyond Sir Philip's powers. They live in the same area, a few miles from the Union. However, I still hope that the Union paid Phil's travel expenses and did not seek a Gratuity, or whatever they call it these days. Richard Dawkins can also be seen in the area of Hitchens' "manor". The two are often observed rolling in the dust, fighting.
Not sure how much you’ll be able to write on your Brexit 50p tho Phil.
i know his grandson lol
He was brilliant, but my God the questioner sounded like a Grade 10 high school student. She cast her line in entirely the wrong parts of the stream, and when there was a bite did nothing to launch a catch. Better just to let the man answer the crowd, she was terribly amateurish with no taste, familiarity or even appreciation of the man's work.
Deplorable D ah yes I’m sure you as a young adult would have simply flawless in your interview style, and not fumble once while interviewing a literary icon. How easy it is to criticize from the sideline. Sure there are things she can improve, but he also seemed to have difficulty hearing the questions, and would go on about slightly different topics. Maybe someone with 20 years of experience could’ve rolled with it more, but we all have to start somewhere. Stop being so critical.
Agree, why choose such a person to interview. It's a waste of the opportunity, resources, his time and attention. Sick of excuses for lack of competence, give every mediocre person a chance and a prize! It's who you know, usually the reason people with less talent get there.
I think these kind of interviews are conducted by the students who are members of the union. This girl should be a student at Oxford. I agree with you in that she’s not familiar with his work. It sounds like she did some research, like watching the movie and googling around. But she doesn’t sound like she’s read any of the books. I watched a similar interview of my favorite singer songwriter Tom Odell at the Cambridge Union. The interviewer who interviewed Tom was not professional either, but she definitely did more digging before the event, and it shows in the interview.
Well, funny to watch the British, who "gave" their rich culture around the world, but complain when the same "cultures" come to UK with return gifts.
Funny how Indians are still b*tching about imperialism in almost every single video.
Btw where's your Vikramaditya empire??
Virtual Signaling plumb
The interviewer, has a problem with diction. If you want clarity, less affectation.
This is cure for insomnia if ever I heard one. Zzzz
I love how relaxing his writing is. Listening to the audio books would put me in a trance.
I used to have all Philip pullmans books. Having heard his vile political views they are all in the bin
Which views are these?
What an incredibly childish thing to do.
I’m not too wild about genocide, anti-semitism and racism but I’m not going to throw away Mein Kampf.
Dude is jealous of Tolkien... L8r h8r