This paper, through focusing on Philip Pullman’s The Subtle Knife (1997) and The Amber Spyglass (2000) from His Dark Materials trilogy, analyses the maturation process of young co-protagonist Will, who in the beginning is introduced to the readers as a boy carrying the world on his shoulders. It showcases his gradual coming of age through the effect of his actions with others, and whilst doing this social thinker Jürgen Habermas’s interpretation of the intersubjectivity theory helps to trace the changes in him. Moreover, the article briefly discusses the way in which intersubjectivity differs from Bakhtinian interpretation of multi-voiced narratives. Therefore, concepts such as mutual understanding and self-reflection are shown to affect the process of maturation in quest style young adult narratives. In the meantime, the whole discussion is backed up with a framework belonging to the doyen of fantasy literature critic John Clute, whose “full fantasy Story” (1997; 2011) model with its gradual four phases, is incorporated into the analysis.

Keywords: Intersubjectivity, Growth and Maturation, Philip Pullman, Full- fantasy Story, Jürgen Habermas.