Title: A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L’Engle
First published January 1, 1962
211 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780440498056 (ISBN10: 0440498058)
Rating: 3.99
Overview
As the rain poured down and the wind howled, a mysterious stranger arrived at the Murry household. Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe are taken on a perilous and unusual journey that will endanger not only themselves but everything around them.
Madeleine L’Engle’s award-winning novel, A Wrinkle in Time, kicks off the Time Quintet series and is a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting adventure that will take them to the very limits of the universe.
About the Author
Madeleine L’Engle, an American writer, is renowned for her young adult fiction, particularly A Wrinkle in Time, which won the Newbery Medal, and its subsequent books, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and Many Waters. Her writing reflects her keen interest in modern science, featuring topics such as tesseracts in A Wrinkle in Time, mitochondrial DNA in A Wind in the Door, and organ regeneration in The Arm of the Starfish.
Born on November 29th, 1918, L’Engle spent most of her early years in New York City. Despite her grades being affected by her love of writing stories, poems, and journals, she remained undeterred.
At age 12, she moved with her parents to the French Alps and attended an English boarding school where her passion for writing continued to thrive. During her high school years in the United States at Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, she spent vacations with her mother in a beach cottage on a beautiful stretch of Florida beach.
L’Engle attended Smith College and studied English, graduating with honors. She moved to Greenwich Village in New York, worked in the theater, and published her first two novels before meeting her future husband, Hugh Franklin, when she was an understudy in Anton Chekov’s play.
They married during this time, had a baby girl, and continued writing and acting. They eventually moved to Connecticut to raise their family in a small dairy farm village, where they brought a dead general store to life for nine years.
After moving back to the city with their three children, they kept their country house, Crosswicks, where they continued to spend summers.
As their children grew, L’Engle continued to write, and Franklin revitalized his professional acting career. L’Engle became the librarian and maintained an office at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for more than thirty years.
After Franklin’s death in 1986, L’Engle found solace in writing and lecturing. She has written over 60 books and continues to write.
L’Engle enjoys spending time with her friends, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Editoral Review
In January 1962, the world was introduced to the remarkable work of science fiction, A Wrinkle in Time written by Madeleine L’Engle. The novel was an instant hit, beloved by children and adults alike, and has since become a classic in the genre.
Set in an unknown time period, L’Engle’s story weaves a tale of adventure, good versus evil, and the enduring power of love. The plot focuses on Meg Murry, a young girl who is struggling with both the disappearance of her father, a scientist, and her own feelings of inadequacy.
Alongside her younger brother Charles Wallace, and the enigmatic Calvin O’Keefe, Meg embarks on an intergalactic journey through time to rescue her father. On their quest, the group encounters a myriad of strange creatures and faces dangerous obstacles, all while confronting the evil entity known only as “It.”
L’Engle’s writing style is filled with vivid descriptions and a keen sense of pacing.
The world she creates is both familiar and wondrous, with an atmosphere that captures the imagination. The theme of the book centers around good and evil, with L’Engle’s exploration of the human condition and the triumph of pure love.
A Wrinkle in Time’s significance extends beyond the realm of children’s literature. It sparked a new wave of writers who challenged traditional gender roles, prioritized intelligence, and celebrated diversity.
It is also hailed for its greater philosophical implications, such as the relationship between faith and science and the human ability to transcend the physical realm. Despite its many strengths, A Wrinkle in Time sometimes falls short in character development.
While Meg’s journey is compelling, the other characters often fall by the wayside. The ending is abrupt, which leaves a few loose ends unresolved.
Nevertheless, A Wrinkle in Time endures because it has something for everyone. It is undeniably a children’s book, but it also offers profound insights on human nature that any reader can enjoy.
L’Engle’s work effortlessly blends fantasy, science fiction, and Christian theology, but it is ultimately a testament to the power of family ties and human compassion. With its 60 years of history and timeless wisdom, A Wrinkle in Time is sure to captivate generations to come.
This book is highly recommended for people of all ages, especially those who are drawn to philosophical and fantastical tales. The Washington Post gives it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, citing its creativity, storytelling prowess, and cultural impact.
