Darkness Visible: Philip Pullman and His Dark Materials

By Nicholas Tucker

What do Philip Pullman and J.K. Rowling have in common that has made both of their stories so successful? What does Pullman listen to while he writes – and who, or what, is Dust?




Pullman’s award-winning trilogy His Dark Materials has been appreciated by readers of all ages. It is now set to welcome new fans as it is adapted for television by the BBC, and his new trilogy at last sees publication. 







Nicholas Tucker, a leading authority on children’s literature, writes about the man he knows as a friend. Unpacking and examining Pullman’s life and the sources he drew on for his masterpiece, he explores the world of science, theology, imagination and adventure that Pullman has created.







Including a personal interview with Pullman himself, Darkness Visible offers a unique exploration of the author’s work – and its controversies.







“Enigmas from His Dark Materials are unraveled… Unmissable for all Pullman readers" 

Sussex Express

• Language: English
• Publisher: Icon Books
• Release date: Jul 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781785782435

Reviews for Darkness Visible

[soniaandree_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Because I had an essay on Pullman's 'Northern Lights' book, I wanted something different to add to my bibliography; this book is not the usual childish fan book that gives an idea of the series. Rather, it takes into account biographical elements of Pullman's life, his literary interest and discusses his works ('His Dark Materials', Sally Lockheart, etc.) . One of the thing that intrigued me was the parallel drawn between Milton's 'Paradise Lost' and 'His Dark Materials'.The content is very engaging, clear, and gives us a strong insight into the ideas behind the work and the man behind the writer.