Sir Philip Pullman: fantasy can be unsatisfactory

Sir Philip Pullman: fantasy can be unsatisfactory

‘A lot of the fantasy that I have read is unsatisfactory for me because it's not interested in psychology, it's not interested how people think or feel’

Katie Razzall speaks to renowned British author Sir Philip Pullman as he publishes his latest, and final book in the series, The Rose Field. He’s best-known for writing the award-winning ‘His Dark Materials’ - a series of novels beloved by children and adults alike all over the world. The books follow the adventures of the two main characters - Lyra and Will - across a series of parallel universes, where Pullman blends magical storytelling with physics, philosophy and theology.

Pullman was a part-time English lecturer when the first instalment in the series was published thirty years ago. Tens of millions of copies have been sold across multiple continents, and the stories have been translated into 40 languages.

The commercial and critical success spawned a follow-up series, The Book of Dust, which came out nearly a decade ago. The 79-year-old has now picked up his pen to publish this latest and final instalment.

Although loved all over the world, the stories have also attracted controversy for their criticism of religion. Pullman, who once described himself as a ‘Church of England atheist’, is outspoken on a number of modern-day issues - such as politics, free speech, and indeed faith - with his views regularly influencing his writing.

Thank you to the Culture team for their help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Katie Razzall Producers: Ben Cooper and Roxanne Panthaki Editor: Justine Lang

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: Sir Philip Pullman. Credit: Massimiliano Donati/Awakening/Getty Images)

Avsnitt(1832)

Christine Lagarde: Can Europe's economy withstand Trump 2.0?

Christine Lagarde: Can Europe's economy withstand Trump 2.0?

Stephen Sackur is in Frankfurt for an exclusive interview with Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank. Donald Trump has triggered what could become a global trade war and has prompted European governments to make massive new defence spending commitments. Is the European economy capable of withstanding Trump 2.0?

14 Mars 22min

Dominique de Villepin: Can Europe become a superpower in its own right?

Dominique de Villepin: Can Europe become a superpower in its own right?

Stephen Sackur is in Paris to talk to former Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin. With Donald Trump in the White House, the alliance between the US and Europe’s democracies looks fragile. Is Europe capable of becoming a superpower in its own right?

12 Mars 22min

Son of Hans Frank, Governor General of Nazi Occupied Poland - Niklas Frank

Son of Hans Frank, Governor General of Nazi Occupied Poland - Niklas Frank

Stephen Sackur is in Germany to speak to Niklas Frank. His father was Hans Frank, the Governor General of Nazi Occupied Poland during the World War Two. He was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg trials and executed in 1946. Niklas Frank tells Stephen Sackur he 'despises' his father and does not want Germany to forget the crimes of his father and the legacy of the Nazi era.(Photo: Niklas Frank)

10 Mars 22min

Roger Carstens: Do hostage deals risk making problems worse?

Roger Carstens: Do hostage deals risk making problems worse?

Stephen Sackur speaks to Roger Carstens, former US Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. Did the deals he strike from Russia to Iran risk making the problem worse?(Photo: Roger Carstens, former US Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs appears via video on Hardtalk)

7 Mars 22min

Volker Türk: Are we sleepwalking into a dystopian future?

Volker Türk: Are we sleepwalking into a dystopian future?

Stephen Sackur speaks to the UN Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. As conflicts destroy millions of lives around the world, are we sleepwalking into a dystopian future?(Photo: Volker Türk, UN Commissioner for Human Rights appears via video on Hardtalk)

5 Mars 22min

Badiucao: Art, power and China

Badiucao: Art, power and China

Stephen Sackur speaks to the dissident artist Badiucao, whose cartoons and drawings challenge President Xi Jinping and the Chinese state. He lives in exile in Australia, but does that mean he’s beyond Beijing’s reach?

3 Mars 22min

Lord Sumption: Is liberal democracy in big trouble?

Lord Sumption: Is liberal democracy in big trouble?

Stephen Sackur speaks to the former senior judge, barrister and writer Lord Sumption whose latest book assesses the health of democracy and the rule of law

28 Feb 22min

Victoria Spartz: Has Donald Trump switched sides on Ukraine?

Victoria Spartz: Has Donald Trump switched sides on Ukraine?

Stephen Sackur speaks to US Congresswoman Victoria Spartz. Born and raised in Ukraine and now a Donald Trump loyalist, what does she make of the US president’s strategy of pushing for peace in Ukraine by labelling Ukraine’s President Zelensky a dictator and appearing to hand Vladimir Putin a series of diplomatic gifts?

26 Feb 22min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
p3-krim
fordomspodden
motiv
rss-krimstad
rss-viva-fotboll
flashback-forever
aftonbladet-daily
svenska-fall
rss-vad-fan-hande
rss-krimreportrarna
rss-sanning-konsekvens
dagens-eko
olyckan-inifran
rss-frandfors-horna
rss-svalan-krim
krimmagasinet
blenda-2
rss-klubbland-en-podd-mest-om-frolunda
rss-flodet