How I Found My Voice: Philip Pullman

Sep 2, 2019

Join best-selling author Philip Pullman, famous for his His Dark Materials trilogy, as he shares the formative experiences that shaped his unique voice. He reflects on his childhood, including the deep influence of his grandfather's storytelling and the loss of his father. Pullman discusses the literary giants like Kipling and Milton who inspired him, and how embracing creativity has fueled his writing process. With insights into his journey from teacher to writer, this conversation unveils the artistry behind his compelling narratives.

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ANECDOTE

Early Reading Influences

Pullman learned to read with Enid Blyton's "First Naughty Book" and Kipling's "Just So Stories".
Kipling's rhythmic prose, like the "Old Man Kangaroo" story, deeply impressed him.

insights

INSIGHT

The Magic of Poetry

Pullman believes poetry communicates through rhythm and sound before it's understood.
Teachers shouldn't reduce poems to simple explanations; they kill their magic.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Oxford and Storytelling

Oxford provided Pullman a university education and the setting for his books.
Teaching Greek myths allowed him to discover his storytelling strengths.

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This is an episode from a new podcast strand launched by Intelligence Squared called How I Found My Voice. Presented by the prominent BBC journalist Samira Ahmed, the podcast explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling – and unique – communicators. In this episode, Samira speaks to the best-selling author Sir Philip Pullman, most famous for the acclaimed His Dark Materials fantasy trilogy. From reading Rudyard Kipling as a child to discovering the power of poetry and how to be a storyteller as a teacher, they discuss the moments that shaped and inspired his voice. To hear more episodes of How I Found My Voice go to https://play.acast.com/s/howifoundmyvoice.

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