![]() ![]() ![]() Linked in with this theme is that concerning the marginalisation and demonization of a minority population, the engendering of prejudice – in this case concerning the bears…being a clear metaphor for similar portrayals and treatment of many minority populations in the non-Dark Materials world. ‘Once Upon’ is placed firmly in the world of daemons and of talking bears and in a world that is not unlike our own – but then again so very different.Įven though ‘Once Upon’ comes in at a very compact 100 pages – as well as being a very well written and solid ‘Dark Materials’ story, Pullman has managed to work in underlying themes concerning corruption, power and lies – forces excerpted by powerful corporate organisations over the political and legal landscape for economic and political gain, power and ultimate control. Ostensibly Pullman’s book is on one level a relatively straightforward thriller, a classic cowboy adventure story or ‘ripping yarn’ even - except that being set in the world of ‘Dark Materials’ or course it’s not. In ‘Once Upon’ Pullman revisits the universe of ‘His Dark Materials’ – the main protagonist here being the wonderful character that is Texan balloonist/aeronaut Lee Scoresby and is concerned in part at least, with his first meeting with the armoured bear that is Iorek Byrnison. ‘Once Upon a Time in the North’ by Philip Pullman (2008) – with striking illustrations by engraver John Lawrence is a lovely and very well presented hardback book, which also includes the ballooning game – ‘Peril of The Pole’ tucked into the back cover. ![]()
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