I have just finished reading the  Gloden Compass..actually it was the whole trilogy...Philip Pullman..His Dark Materials....I couldn't get enough of this book...after hearing all of the controversy about it i had to find out for myself...I find no problem with the subject matter...I just seems to be a different point of view..as we all know the catholic church seems to have a problem with that.... i would recomend this trilogy to anyone...and I mean anyone...it is gripping...imaginative...and a wonderful tale oflove, courage, self discovery, and conquering tragic odds in ones life...please If...