The Republic of Heaven

I can't believe Lyra lost the ability to read the alethiometer! I was so shocked at this, and so bumbed, almost depressed actually!!! I did not see this coming! There are no words for this! But I really hate that!!!

I can't believe Lyra lost the ability to read the alethiometer! I was so shocked at this, and so bumbed, almost depressed actually!!! I did not see this coming! There are no words for this! But I really hate that!!!

Why? It had to happen and I reckon it adds to the beauty of the story.

She no longer saw a world in a grain of sand. She was no longer a child.

She read it through 'grace' and lost it when she 'lost' her innocence. She can learn it again, and when she does, she'll understand it better because she'll have worked for it.

Why be shocked? You know it's coming from the very first book. But I can't remember the quote right now, so...

Acrually, it came to me as a shock too. But it's important to know that, as Di said, her gift was just that: a gift. She needs to earn the skill and then she will know much more.

/me goes to find the 'Can all children read the Alethiometer' thread

yeah, I get that, but if it was a gift, how could she lose it, or was it taken back? either way, it's not right!
If anyone finds the quote, I'd like to see it, because I dont remember it ever being said she would lose it!

hmmmmmmmm...I can't seem to remember the quote and I'm too lazy to get up and find the book. But I was pretty shocked as well until I really thought about it, then it all made sense.

It shocked me, but it was also kind of harsh cause Pullman teases the reader I think. First she tries to read it and the reader's like "Yes! Find an answer so you can stay together!" then she can't read it anymore. Then they're told 1 window will remain open and your like "Yes! They can have another window open and stay together!" then you find out that one window is the window for the ghosts.

yeah, I get that, but if it was a gift, how could she lose it, or was it taken back? either way, it's not right!
If anyone finds the quote, I'd like to see it, because I dont remember it ever being said she would lose it!

Because she was growing up-I can't run for ages without sweating now, but when i do run I run harder and faster. Its that sort of thing.

ukh...I dunno...I'm still pissed about it...

ukh...I dunno...I'm still pissed about it...

You sound too young to be drinking.

Have a read of Heinrich von Kleist's On the Marionette Theatre, as Uncle Phil suggests. That should explain the thinking. Otherwise you are missing the point of the story.

rosie, where do you FIND these gems? that was brilliant.

rosie, where do you FIND these gems? that was brilliant.

Agreed. Twas fantastic.

About the thread topic, yes, I was sad she lost the ability, but like with the windows, it couldn't've been any other way.

Indeed, a great wee read.

I don't think the series would have been the same without some of the tragic loses. I believe that Lyra losing the ability was one of the many that made it such a convincing "Nothing last forever" type ending

ok ok geeeeez!!! Holy Benders people! just expressing a personal opinion...keep your pants on...
The last poster made a good, NICE, non-sarcastic point, so I thank you...

by the way, what would possibly lead you to assmue I drink!?! I'm underage! and I've only ever had one sip of alcohol in my life! and that was an accident! no really! it was! stop judging me....*sobs*

You sound too young to be drinking.

Have a read of Heinrich von Kleist's On the Marionette Theatre, as Uncle Phil suggests. That should explain the thinking. Otherwise you are missing the point of the story.

ok ok point taken, I would have thanked you for the info. if it wasn't so pleasantly accompanied by all that sarcasm...

Mod edit: Double post merged, please use the edit button to add to your posts

I read it more as plain-speaking rather than sarcasm, myself.

by the way, what would possibly lead you to assume I drink!?!

Erm, you said you were drunk?

ukh...I dunno...I'm still pissed about it...

You sound too young to be drinking.

Just to clarify Rosie's above comment, the key word is in bold.