I don't profess any religion; I don't think it's possible that there is a God.... My books are about killing God.

I'm just trying to wake up - I'm so afraid of sleeping all my life and then dying - I want to wake up first. I wouldn't care if it was just for an hour, as long as I was properly alive and awake.

Just finished 'Secrecy' - truly enthralling both as a love story and as a tale of suspense - but much more than both.

He's [Jesus] the most fascinating character in history, really - the character who's made more difference to the world than anyone since him. I daresay that Muslims would say Muhammad was that character, but I think Jesus had a sort of 600-year start on him.

We are all subject to the fates. But we must act as if we are not, or die of despair.

And then what?" said her daemon sleepily. "Build what?" "The Republic of Heaven," said Lyra.

Her last conscious thought was disgust at life; her senses had lied to her. The world was not made of energy and delight but of foulness, betrayal, and lassitude. Living was hateful, and death was no better, and from end to end of the universe this was the first and last and only truth.