The Golden Compass

I always fall into the same trap—shopping on the weekend. As much as I hate crowded places, I somehow always seem to end up doing grocery and other types of shopping on a Saturday. Today, however, I was in a state of nirvana, caused by my 20 km morning run and a total psycho-physical numbness which followed it, so I not only endured the shopping, I sort of enjoyed it. Maybe because it started in the Chapters bookstore—they had a wicked discount on most of the books, our bookshelf space is reduced by 10 new items—and that sort of easy-going atmosphere just carried throughout the day.

We watched “The Golden Compass” on Rogers on demand cable. I wanted to see the movie ever since I first heard about it and the controversy it caused, but missed it in theatres. Apparently some schools in Ontario banned the books—Pullman’s trilogy “His Dark Materials” the movie is based upon—stating that the books deny religion. It is truly amazing that in 21st century, in the country which boasts about its democracy, some organizations and individuals think they have the right to ban certain books. Few years ago Heather Riesman, the owner of the previously mentioned Chapters/Indigo chain, banned Adolf Hitler’s memoir “Mein Kampf” from the country’s biggest bookstore. Although I don’t agree with that, I could sort of understand the reasoning for banishing Hitler’s book. But, having an educational institutions banning books reminds me of the times of Inquisition. Alarming is also that various religious groups are becoming more influential in modern society. Here in Canada tolerance and multiculturalism is always on our politicians’ lips, yet we allow books to be banned from schools and bookstores. What’s next? Burning them publicly? Shame on all of us, Canadians!
The movie is pretty faithful to the story, although it leaves out the culmination and the ending of “The Golden Compass” book. Also, casting Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter is obviously the wrong choice. Aside from Mrs. Coulter being stunningly, almost magically beautiful in the book (which Kidman, with her artificially puffed up lips, is no more), she is also dark haired, energetic and irresistible. And, although Kidman does move around with a certain grace, she is so very blonde in all the meanings of that word. With so many beautiful, smart, dark haired actresses around, Kidman as a casting choice is beyond my comprehension. But, enough—I give her too much credit by writing so much about her!
After the movie, and a lengthy conversation about religion, belief and faith, which inevitably led us to the topic of our family, relationship within the family, beliefs and tolerance, Maggie decided to dive into the Pullman’s books.

At the same time, I exhausted my patience with the “Elijah’s Chair” I’ve been reading. It’s just so naïve and poorly written that I had to stop until there's absolutely nothing else to read. With today’s shopping for the books, that won’t happen any time soon! In any case, I am now reading “Londonstani” by Gautam Malkani. Lots of London’s Paki-gangsta slang, but quite entertaining so far.