Der goldene Kompass von Philip Pullman

Philip Nicholas Outram Pullman was born on October 19, 1946, in Norwich, England. His father, Alfred Outram Pullman, was a Royal Air Force pilot, leading to a childhood marked by frequent moves, including a period in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Tragedy struck when Pullman was seven, with his father's death in a plane crash in Kenya. Subsequently, he lived with his grandparents in England before joining his mother and stepfather in Australia, eventually settling in Harlech, Wales. He pursued his passion for literature at Exeter College, Oxford, where he studied English. After graduating, he embarked on a teaching career at various Oxford middle schools before moving to Westminster College in 1986. Pullman's teaching experience profoundly influenced his writing and advocacy for imaginative engagement with literature in education. He began his writing career with adult-oriented novels like "The Haunted Storm" (1972) and "Galatea" (1976). However, he found his true calling in children's and young adult fiction. His early works include "Count Karlstein" (1982) and the Sally Lockhart quartet, a Victorian-era detective series (1985-1994). Pullman meticulously researched the historical backdrop of these stories, immersing himself in the Victorian era. He also ventured into fairy tales, penning enchanting stories like "The Firework-Maker's Daughter", "I Was a Rat!", and "Clockwork". While enjoying the creative challenge of fairy tales, Pullman considers them immensely difficult to write. His breakthrough came with the internationally acclaimed "His Dark Materials" trilogy (1995-2000). This epic fantasy series, comprising "Northern Lights" (published as "The Golden Compass" in North America), "The Subtle Knife", and "The Amber Spyglass", explores complex themes of good and evil, free will, and the nature of consciousness. The trilogy garnered numerous prestigious awards, including the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Book of the Year Award. "The Amber Spyglass" made history as the first children's book to win the latter award. Pullman continued to expand the world of "His Dark Materials" with "The Book of Dust", a companion trilogy that delves further into the lore and mysteries of this rich universe. His works have been translated into over 40 languages, captivating readers of all ages worldwide. Throughout his career, Pullman remained a strong advocate for quality literature in education, criticizing the overemphasis on testing and league tables. In recognition of his contributions to literature, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004 and knighted in 2019. He currently resides in Oxford, England.