If you've read His Dark Materials, please answer this!

[Queen Michael]

If you haven't read His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman from beginning to end, LEAVE THIS THREAD RIGHT NOW.

To those of you who have: I'm planning to read the books, but I have learned that

Spoiler: Here be major spoilers!

in the end, it is revealed that God is actually just a being who fooled people into thinking it created the universe.

I have a question. Is this really what happens in the book?
A. Yes, and now that Queen Michael knows it he can't enjoy this series.
B. Yes, but the books are an entertaining read even though the Important Final Plot Twist has been revealed.
C. It's technically true that this happens, but not at all like you'd expect.
D. No, it's not at all what happens.

I would be very grateful for answers.

Edit: The answers I've had so far have been fully satisfactory. So there's no need for more, but thanks anyway.

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

Although I haven't read this (Ignores the "LEAVE THIS THREAD RIGHT NOW." warning), wouldn't it be alot easier to simply Google/Wiki the book?

 

[ThreeWords]

snip

Thankfully, D

'Tis true, but it's not the whole story. In my case, I find it more of a detail about one of the characters than a major plot piece. Any more, I think, would be a spoiler

 

[G.F- Phergan]

You've just made me register myself as a user, just so I could answer your question. Hehe.

"God" in His Dark Materials is indeed another being, known as the Authority. He is of course older than anything else in the world(s), and is only artificially kept alive through a crystal cage/throne. The plot surprised me a lot when the story about the Authority unfolded, and I can't tell you too much, since it would indeed spoil the whole bollocks.

The impression I had wasn't that the Authority had tricked anyone into believing in him. It was more like he really was the creator, although he turned out to be as fragile as a mere human being in the end.

But then again; the Authority is a totally minuscule part of the plot, and is far from the centerpiece here. The story about Will and Lyra and all the others is more intriguing by far!

Trust me.. You've GOT to read 'dem damn books, dude!

 

[Queen Michael]

snip

Thankfully, D

'Tis true, but it's not the whole story. In my case, I find it more of a detail about one of the characters than a major plot piece. Any more, I think, would be a spoiler

This is exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for. You get a cookie!

 

[FROGGEman2]

It is the ending twist, but... it isn't a surprise, it's told well ahead of time. The "underworld" subplot is my favourite part.

Ah, memories flooding back...

 

[ThreeWords]

This is exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for. You get a cookie!

Spoiler: Hidden for convienience

Why thank you, I do so love to be of use, especially when there are cookies involved.

Now get reading those awesome books, while I make a start on this huge cookie

[sup]Om nom nom nom...[/sup]

The impression I had wasn't that the Authority had tricked anyone into believing in him. It was more like he really was the creator, although he turned out to be as fragile as a mere human being in the end.

Spoiler: I thought that detail was just beautiful, but it involves SPOILARZ

The way that, once released from Metatron's prison, the Authority just blows away, returning to the universe in the same way that the dead do, was briliant.

 

[chromewarriorXIII]

Read the books anyway, because they are really interesting and the story between the 2 main characters seems to be more of the focus throughout the series.

 

[loremazd]

Yeah, honestly the twist is a little played up several christian groups and sadly, the author himself. It's not really the focus of the series, nor should it, really.

 

[SmartIdiot]

It is a twist but it doesn't happen at the end so you're ok. In any case the books are fantastic and I'd say read them anyway. There's a whole lot more going on there than some people think.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

without spoiling that, no it doesn't say that at all in the books nor is it really implied. the books are a good read and the commentary on the church is a big part but doesn't necessarily point it at the Authority but at the people of the church themselves

 

[Godavari]

If you haven't read His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman from beginning to end, LEAVE THIS THREAD RIGHT NOW.

To those of you who have: I'm planning to read the books, but I have learned that

Spoiler: Here be major spoilers!

in the end, it is revealed that God is actually just a being who fooled people into thinking it created the universe.

I have a question. Is this really what happens in the book?
A. Yes, and now that Queen Michael knows it he can't enjoy this series.
B. Yes, but the books are an entertaining read even though the Important Final Plot Twist has been revealed.
C. It's technically true that this happens, but not at all like you'd expect.
D. No, it's not at all what happens.

I would be very grateful for answers.

Edit: The answers I've had so far have been fully satisfactory. So there's no need for more, but thanks anyway.

I read them a long time ago. I think that's false. But I really couldn't be sure.

I'm pretty certain they kill him, though.

 

[Jdopus]

Yes, that's true but they don't kill him, he dies when they free him from a prison. While not a central role, the Authority in the books is the first ever angel who claimed to be the creator to the angels that came afterwards. he dies in the book because he is weak from passing all his power on to metatron, another angel on the side of the church.

To be honest, that isn't the final plot twist at all, it's more a side-arc to the story and not really important overall. The final plot twist has more to do with Lord Azrael and the spectres and is much more key to the story.

Read the books anyway, that minor plot twist isn't a huge point and the series is excellent.

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

I gave up 3/4 throuogh the second book. The first one was like the best thing I'd ever read, but after that it all went down hill for me. I had no idea that's how it ended and had no idea that God would have anything to do with plot from as far through as I was, so nah, go ahead and read them. Hopefully you enjoy the second and third more than I did.

 

[ICantBelieveItGoesBoom]

As many others have said, while that is true (sort of), it is far from the main focus of the series and it is a truly great read.

 

[PeeSoup]

It's not the final plot twist. It's a minor detail. Keep reading.

 

[Trivun]

Actually C is the right answer. I won't tell you more due to the fact that you haven't read the rest yet, but yeah, that's kind of true but there's a twisty way that it happens...

 

[BlueberryFalacy]

Just so as it is said here now before someone decides to try do it this way "Watching the movie DOES NOT count!"

I would actually heavily recommend going ahead and reading the Trilogy and for

-snip-

thats actually setup for the final installment mainly (that and a fair amount of subplot which ends up just tying up loose ends) If ever so wished I will try and write out a literal plot summary of all 3 books including all the subplots and how they intermingle inbetween.


Just as a side note, be prepared for a slightly soppy ending (Phillip Pullman does not try and write predictably)

 

[Woodsey]

I read them a while ago and I can't remember any of that...

I remember the ending was ridiculously sad though (of course I won't say why). Great books. I think I became a little lost by the whole religious aspect of things though, as I was about 10/11.

 

[Dufaunce]

I read this series once through, then i read it again 6 more times. It's the best trilogy I've ever read.

OT yeah i know it's already been answered but my impression was that the Authority was the first angel who told the others that came after him that he created them. I won't say more if you havn't read the rest but have a box of Kleenex ready.