I read all three of these in record time. Two this past weekend. And while there are some curious stabs at environmentalism, and the can’t we all just get along meme, the most power full themes are the terror of absolute tyranny and the fact that we are all damaged goods.
I highly recommend them.
And if you have seen the movie but not read the book, read the book. Read all three.
Just be prepared to be a bit hollowed out by the end. A world full of damaged goods can still find it’s own form of happiness but the price is steep. There is no sugary coated resolution. You may not put the third book down feeling content with the journey, but you will have been entertained as you are dragged through a world where tyranny presents many faces and forms and from many directions. And there are ample lessons for anyone who thinks human beings or human nature can or should be trusted with power much beyond their own backyard.
And yes, I did finally go to see the first movie. (Regular reader know I prefer to rent and watch movies at home.) It may have been one of the better translations of a book to film. The few deviations were necessary to keep the pace or adequately implied in the book to justify their presence on screen.
