Journal Shadow Wrought's Journal: [$.02] The Golden Compass and Vantage Point 2

I actually wasn't planning on reading The Golden Compass but I needed something smaller and lighter than Bullfinch's Mythology for my flight. Looking over the shelves I found The Golden Compass and figured I'd give it a try. For the most part it is well written and has a very engaging narrative. Its set in a Victorianish Steam-punk society in which Christianity is both religion and science. The other main leap is that every human has a daemon to whom they are connected. The story follows a girl who is desitned to change the World based on her decision- though she can never know she needs to make that decision. (And yes, there are Polar Bears in armor who, and frankly couldn't be otherwise, very cool.)

So much adventure ensues and the society is fleshed out as Lyra moves around. Although compelling, I think the story doesn't always follow the path it should. In other words, sometimes when you write a story you know you want it to end, but as you're writing, the story changes as your character's personalities develop. Then you realize that instead of doing A, as you originally intended, they do B. In this case, even though the feel of the story would suit option B, Pullman makes damn sure everyone does A. So though overall it is a very engaging story, there are times when it feels forced.

The anti-religion thing is not yet really evident. You can certainly see the setup, but I doubt I would have noticed it if I had not already heard some of the controversy around it. it is good enough that I put a hold on the second book, His Subtle Knife, but I don't know for sure that I will finish the series if that one isn't up to snuff.

Vantage Point

This is more rant than review so you better believe the big S (Spoilers) is involved. If you have not seen the movie this will mean nothing, but will completely, utterly, and totally ruin the end; if you have seen the movie...

He would have ran over the girl. Flat out, he would not have let that stop him. I thought it was very good until then, and could even tolerate how everyone in a largish city kept ending up within a couple blocks of each other. But crashing to avoid the girl would not have happened- and it didn't need to happen. That's what drives me nuts. How much better would it have been if he kept going, Foreest Wittaker grabs the girl and in pushing her out of the way causes another car to swerve and take out the ambulance. Same result, only it doesn't cause the antagonist to change his character.

Gah, did that annoy me.