Ian's Pullman interview (Gothenburg book fair)

[Ian]

Edit: Interview is here

Right, at the end of last week, I spoke to a few people who are reasonably high up at this place, and asked if they'd back me if this came off, so I should thank them.

I'm currently trying to secure an interview on behalf of BTTS and HDM.org with Philip Pullman, at some point during the weekend (while both he and I are at the Gothenburg book fair). I haven't yet got 100% confirmation that this can go ahead, but the signs look very promising, and even if I don't get permission, I'm going to hound him all weekend anyway.

This is where you all come in. I need you to think of some questions. They need to be relatively brief, and not too complex, but they should be relevant, interesting and designed to get original and informative answers from him!

I'll probably draw up a list of questions on Wednesday, or Thursday, so think of them quickly!

[Leif]

Ask about the Book of Dust. We need to annoy him as much as possible about it so he'll finally have to publish it.

[Stargirl]

how did he manage to make lyras oxford so short? i wnated to burn it when i finished reading it becuase it just made me want more, how could he manage not to write more? essentially, what was the POINT of it?! did he just want to antagonize us?! is he planning on continuing it in the book of dust?

also, does he answer any of his fan mail personally? or are ALL of the people who write to him sent a form letter?

[Jamie]

Is The Book of Dust the do-all and end-all of everything His Dark Materials based? Will he ever write about his worlds again? Has he been in freqent contact with Anand Tucker or is he allowing him to take his time and weave his own artistic devices?

[Phit]

also, does he answer any of his fan mail personally? or are ALL of the people who write to him sent a form letter?

He answers it personally, but give him around a year for it.

[zemarl]

Congrats, Ian!

I've got a question that wasn't answered last time, probably overlooked: what about Deaths? I'm just looking for anything, really, as he doesn't go into a lot of detail. How is it that Lyra was able to lie to her Death? Are they just not as close a part of you as daemons are, or is there more to it than that? Where do they go when someone's taken the boat, and if they cease to exist or the like, what will happen to Lyra when she actually does die - or will she even be able to? I'm hoping some of this will be in the Book of Dust, but just wanted to ask anyway.

[Enitharmon]

Oh well done Ian!

[Yelbakk]

Ask him if the armored bears have Dust (This question has been subject to some debate around here and the more I think about it, an answer will be highly informative in terms of Pullman's current view on the nature of Dust, armored bears, humanity, and generally all sorts of things.)

Y.

[Soapy]

Ask him if the armored bears have Dust

Seconded! I want to know what he says.

[jessia]

a question for pullman regarding his first books: why is it that he doesn't like to talk about the haunted storm and will there ever be a reprint of galatea?

[Jez]

Congrats on getting the interview! I'd post a question but my mind is strangely blank right now... Um, maybe ask for some more details about the upcoming film? Like, what would he personally like to see included in it?

[Darragh]

I remember Max having some good questions on that sraffie event deely that didn't get answered by Pullman because he obviously didn't read the page 5 of 5 part and only answered one page of questions.

[Ian]

Link?

[jessia]

this is the discussion page: http://www.bridgetothestars.net/srafboa ... um.php?f=4

see the chat transcript for the questions mr. pullman already answered.

[Kinders]

Dear Kinders Kinley

Thank you for your letter inviting Philip Pullman to take part in your documentary.

However Philip has asked us to decline all invitations and requests on his behalf, as he is hard at work on his next book, THE BOOK OF DUST.

I am sorry to disappoint you in this.

*fume!*

[Melancholy Man]

You don't really have 'Kinders' sewn into your vest?

Iain, I've always been perplexed by the absence of Mussulmen or, at the very least, the Saracens and Moors[1]. Assuming my idea of a victorious Calvin causing the stagnation of European expansion, they would of then represented a far more real danger than the already centuries old Tartars. Was there any reason PP picked the Calvinists (other than, say, mad Scots terrorizing other countries? A good reason, I admit)?

With this snubbing out of Iberian expansion, was he creating a world in what different centres of culture co-existed with equally powerful militaries? I like this quote of his:

If pagan religions are less corrupt than Christianity, it's only because they haven't been in power. Give them a few centures of political authority and they'd be as corrupt as the rest.

[1] Maybe this is why early editions didn't include 'Allah' as a nickname of the usurper. It just didn't occur to him.

MbtE.

[Stargirl]

Stargirl wrote:
also, does he answer any of his fan mail personally? or are ALL of the people who write to him sent a form letter?


He answers it personally, but give him around a year for it.

yes, i have written to him before, more than a year ago now, and i sent the same letter to three diffrent addresses and he answered in i think under 2 months, i think about that. and it was obviously a personal letter. and then about 2 months ago i got a form letter in the mail from him. which i thought was absolutly hilarious for obvious reaons.
i was just wondering what he would say if asked that, becuase apparently both things happen, my dad said maybe hes got people who go through his mail for him and only give him the interesting ones to answer.......

[Ian]

Interviewed him this morning. An absolutely brilliant man, really nice. I'll try to get an article together for when I get home.

[Stargirl]

lucky and i just thought of another questiong just now. too late.

[Ian]

lucky and i just thought of another questiong just now. too late.

Yes, very sorry that questions posted here are now to no use, as the interview has taken place. I'm also very sorry to anybody who's question didn't make it into the interview (most of the ones suggested were great though). I'll try and write up a decent article next weekend (I've too much homework before then, sorry). Unfortuantely, there won't be a direct transcript of the interview (as I couldn't find a recording device). but I will of course cover (comprehensively) everything that was said.

Thanks