“Qui plussait, plus se tait. French, you know. The more a man knows, the less he talks.”
― Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle in Time is a science fantasy novel written by American writer Madeleine L’Engle, first published in 1962. It is also a first book of a Time Quintet.
Book follows the lives of the Murray family. Father of Meg and Charles Wallace has disappeared mysteriously a long time ago. One day the kids meet a new friend Calvin and three strange women named: Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Which. These ladies tell children that their father is in danger and that they have to travel through time to find him.
“We can’t take any credit for our talents. It’s how we use them that counts.”
― Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time: With Related Readings
I had a hard time getting into this novel. I guess it had been on my TBR list for a long time because but I truly learned about the existence of this book when the movie adaptation hit the theatres. I have mixed feeling about Wrinkle in Time. I felt like the younger me would have loved it but somehow magic of this book didn’t reach me as adult. And that made me confused because I still love Narnia to death.
There were a lot of good things in this book. First, genre is funny… it’s like science fiction except that it’s fantasy and that shows in the book. I feel like it has more emotion and less technical/ science fiction-y mumbo-jumbo. I liked W Ladies and them quoting everything and everyone because the words did not come easy for them. And I liked how simple everything was. Evil in this book is mostly described as ‘The Black Thing’ or/and ‘IT’, yet you knew exactly what it was.
“Euripedes. Nothing is hopeless; we must hope for everything.”
― Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
Characters were well built and Meg is an unique persona. I don’t know that many main characters who’d be like her. Homely, awkward and math loving. Fantasy elements, new worlds and creatures were entertaining.
4/5 stars but I wouldn’t read it again.
How-To Read A Wrinkle in Time
1. Short (just over 200 pages) simple and creative, perfect read for kids. I think it also has nice lessons on how things and people and places are different and how we should always fight the evil in this world.
2. First part of a quintet so there are 3 books more for those who adored this.
3. I sensed some religion-ess in this book. A bit similar to Narnia.
“A book, too, can be a star, “explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,” a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.”
― Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
Have you read this? Thoughts?
Have you seen the newest movie adaptation? I haven’t but I found cast choices interesting.
I read this book in middle school and enjoyed it. Having just reread it, I agree that it’s more enjoyable for children than adults, but I do like the story behind it. I saw the movie and did not like it at all. Mrs. Whatsit was a disappointment and the whole world where everyone acts the same just…didn’t happen.
I did enjoy the story too but that’s what it was in the end. Just a story :o Oh I see, that’s too bad. It seemed like Disney invested a ton in that movie.
Did you see the movie first? I have not seen the movie yet, and perhaps that influenced you when you read the book. I read the book as an adult (never as a child), and I loved it.
Haven’t seen the movie yet no. Though I am curious about it. I liked it but didn’t love it. What parts did you especially like?
How the three spirits had different voices and personalities and how they helped.
Yeah, those three were great :) Very unique characters
Yes!
I read A Wrinkle In Time as a kid but I hardly remember it! I do know I wasn’t super impressed though, and I don’t have the warm fuzzy feeling for it like I do with Narnia or Middle-earth, so I guess it didn’t work for me, but who knows what I’d think of it now? Thanks for sharing, nice review!
Yeah that is exactly how I felt about the book and I missed not having that warm fuzzy feeling… Haha oh I’m afraid if you didn’t like it as a kid, you might find it even worse now. That’s the often the case with me at least.
My oldest has read the book and graphic novel and remembers enjoying it. We will probably see the movie when it comes out on dvd.
Graphic novel is probably awesome! :) Happy your eldest liked it!