This is the fifth time I've read A Wrinkle in Time.

But I never actually enjoyed it that much. The first time I read it, I liked it but also found it kind of annoying. I reread it once to understand it better, and then again out of boredom (and because I was starting to like it). Literally the week after my third reading, my sixth-grade teacher told us we'd read it for English.

This made me even more annoying during book discussions as I knew everything.

I haven't read it since then, so rereading it gives me nostalgia. Even though I wasn't that young when I first read it (maybe fourth or fifth grade), it's been three years and I still don't understand Mrs. Who.

But that's the point of this kind of book. Along with The Phantom Tollbooth, it formed an important part of my elementary school reading basis. The kind of books that make you think.

The characters are unique. None fit specific tropes (though Meg could be the 'outcast' and the twins 'basic') and none were my style, but I liked them all. Meg got annoying at times but was also relatable. Calvin was my favorite as he was good with words and a layered character. The Mrs. W's got on my nerves. They were helpful but often felt unnecessary.

The plot was absorbing. It wasn't predictable the first time, but by the fifth, I followed along until the last two chapters as I'd forgotten they existed. This was a good, quick book to get me out of my reading slump. It had only twelve chapters but still got my brain working again. I guess I haven't developed much since sixth grade.

This particular piece is truly strange and captivating, boasting an incredibly creative essence. I have a deep admiration for the uniqueness of L'Engle's mind. It's quite remarkable that it was her children who urged her to have it published.

Over the years, I have perused it numerous times, yet I find myself unable to completely fall head over heels in love with it.

I do, however, fully recognize its significance as a classic that has the power to shape minds and contribute to literacy in general.

Nonetheless, for me, it consistently remains a solid 3 stars. It has its merits, but perhaps it just doesn't resonate with me on that profound level that would earn it a higher rating. Maybe it's the idiosyncratic nature of the story or the way it's presented that keeps me at a bit of a distance. Regardless, it's still a work that holds a certain charm and value within the literary world.

I read this particular book a few years ago. It was only recently that I realized I never gave it a star review. You see, I did read it during a time when I wasn't always in the habit of writing reviews. So, here is a brief account of what I remember about it.

I had very high hopes for this book because it is widely regarded as a classic. Many people read it when they are in elementary or middle school. I vividly remember back then, at that age, hearing my fellow students singing its praises. It's a bit strange that I never got around to reading it myself during those years! However, when I finally picked it up as an adult, those hopes that I had built up over the years were unfortunately not met.

Perhaps if I had read it as a child, my perception of it might have been different. But for the adult me, it was just a rather bizarre and haphazard sequence of events - and not in a positive sense. I really struggled to stay interested or even make sense of what was happening. I do recall that, since it is held in such high regard, I tried my hardest to find something within it that I could enjoy.

You know, if something is truly meant for you, you shouldn't have to put up such a fight to enjoy it. That's just my take on this book. So, it is not a book that I can wholeheartedly recommend. However, I am glad that many people love it and have such fond memories associated with it.

I read this at a time when I was in desperate need of a big surge of joy, magic, and distraction. I clearly remember that I only remarked in writing that I would be rather surprised if there had not been a film adaptation of this 1962 extravaganza. I also verbally noted to my spouse, Ron, and he remembers: if anyone attempted to portray these peculiarly dynamic ranges of events in a film, it would indeed be a very difficult task. Little did we know that we would not have to wait long!

“A Wrinkle In Time” is an adventure that I intuitively knew I would absolutely love. I wholeheartedly embraced it and I am extremely glad that there are three novels that succeed it. There is an element within it that is science fictive, yet I would classify this as youth fantasy, with a complexity that is highly appealing to grown-ups and is probably specifically aimed at us. I had no prior inkling about the premise nor the characters, thus this adventure was entirely new and fresh to me, just the way I truly love stories. There is surreal exploration, exciting discovery, and intense emotions.

The easiest way to describe it is that the Murrys are special and, as is often the case in fantasy, they hold a pivotal role in their universe. We shine a spotlight on all of them, but our sympathy predominantly follows the elder sister, Meg. She is a square peg at school, in stark contrast to her popular brothers, Dennys & Sandy. She underperforms academically, but not due to a lack of intellect. In fact, she is a mathematics whiz and her parents are notable scientists. Their Dad’s government work is top-secret, and they haven't been permitted to know where he is. They start to fear trouble when the contact with him suddenly halts. Her five-year-old brother, Charles, is an eloquent genius, with extrasensory perception that is so revved up that he can scarcely hide it. He introduces Meg and a similarly special school chum to a trio of ladies, who scarcely bother to conceal the fact that they aren't from Earth. They know that Mr. Murry needs help and only these three children are in a position to deliver it.

Madeline L’Engle’s creation is truly thought-provoking, highly memorable, and could only have been born of the most outstanding imagination that I have ever witnessed. The planets that the rescue party traverses, such as a two-dimensional one, the biological make-up of the ladies and other parties they meet, the breathtaking sights.... are simply unparalleled and must already form the basis of a film! Learning about a dark, unidentified threat to their galaxy and that their Dad’s captivity plays a significant part in it is truly overwhelming. Madeleine most definitely deserves every literary award in existence.

I don't have a great fondness for time travel books.

In fact, I used to think that after reading a certain number of pages of science fiction, it would often turn into a tiresome task.

I was quite sure that I just hadn't come across the really good ones.

However, all of that changed after I read "A Wrinkle in Time".

This book completely opened my eyes and made me realize the true beauty and potential of science fiction.

It took me on an adventure through time and space, filled with unique characters and thrilling plot twists.

I found myself completely engrossed in the story, unable to put the book down.

"A Wrinkle in Time" showed me that science fiction can be so much more than just a genre.

It can be a means of exploring the unknown, of imagining new possibilities, and of inspiring us to think differently about the world around us.

Now, I look forward to reading more science fiction books, hoping to discover more hidden gems like "A Wrinkle in Time".

I recently reread "A Wrinkle in Time" for the Classics for Beginners group read, this time via the Audible audiobook narrated by Hope Davis. The audio format was a great choice as it allowed me to multitask while still experiencing the story as an adult. Although the book was written in a specific time period, it didn't seem overly dated to me.

The characters in this novel are complex and well-developed. Meg Murry, the main character, is moody and whiny at times, but this is understandable given her father's disappearance and her own insecurities. Calvin O'Keefe, on the other hand, is a charming and intelligent young man who balances Meg well. Charles Wallace, Meg's younger brother, is a brilliant and unique child, but his intelligence also makes him a target for the evil forces they encounter. The mysterious Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which add an element of magic and mystery to the story.

The plot of the novel is a science fiction adventure that takes the characters on a journey through time and space to find Meg's father. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and must use their wits and courage to overcome them. The themes of family, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil are explored in depth, making this a thought-provoking and engaging read.

While I enjoyed the book overall, I did notice a few shortcomings. Meg's temper tantrums could be a bit much at times, and the scene where Charles Wallace is violent towards his sister might be disturbing for some readers. Additionally, the conclusion felt a bit rushed and abrupt. However, these flaws did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend "A Wrinkle in Time" to anyone who enjoys science fiction, fantasy, or adventure stories. It is a classic novel that has stood the test of time and continues to be relevant and engaging today. The audiobook version, narrated by Hope Davis, is a great way to experience the story and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Enjoyable by young and old alike!


The earth is menacingly surrounded by a dark and noxious fog, a tool of an ultimate evil with the ambition to enslave the planet by completely eradicating free will. Three mysterious magical beings, Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who, and Mrs Which - perhaps witches, angels, or demigods - appear before Margaret and Charles Wallace Murry, along with their friend Calvin O'Keefe. They persuade the children that it is their destiny to engage in a battle against this evil on its own turf and rescue Margaret and Charles Wallace's father. Dr Murry has been missing for several months, and the kids discover that he was captured by the evil while "tessering," traveling through time and space during his scientific research.


Although the writing is simple, well-crafted, and clearly targeted at a younger audience, A WRINKLE IN TIME is still a fast-paced and enjoyable tale of good versus evil. It combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and magic, captivating even adult readers who will flip through the pages relentlessly. Moreover, there are numerous life lessons, issues, and moral themes scattered throughout the story - like low-hanging fruit waiting for the eager child, the observant and questioning teen, the confused parent, or the thinking adult to pick and ponder. These include the realization that parents are not infallible as one comes of age, the cruelty of malicious gossip, the concepts of God and evil, the awkwardness of romantic adolescent relationships, the potential destructiveness of pride or vanity, the marginalization of those who are different, the enormous difficulties of selflessness, and the understanding that not all of life's questions will be answered, and many more.


While some readers criticize A WRINKLE IN TIME for being overly moralistic, I had a different perspective. It was evident to me that religion, especially Christian symbolism, was present, but I felt that L'Engle let it remain quietly beneath the surface, and the story never became even slightly preachy.


It is no wonder that A WRINKLE IN TIME has been elevated to the status of a children's classic and continues to be cherished by both adults and children alike, more than 40 years after it was first published for a grateful reading world.


Paul Weiss

Life, with its rules, its obligations, and its freedoms, is like a sonnet: You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself.

This profound thought beautifully encapsulates the essence of our existence. We are all presented with a framework, yet it is up to us to fill it with meaning and purpose.

I started reading A Wrinkle in Time last year. However, I had to put it on a pause. This wasn't because the book was bad; rather, I was going through the longest reading slump of my life.

Moving forward to the present time, since I've been indulging in a plethora of children and middle grade books, I decided to pick up A Wrinkle in Time once again. And I'm truly overjoyed that I did.

The story of A Wrinkle in Time follows Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on their extraordinary adventures. These adventures are filled with magic and a diverse range of magical creatures. While the magic aspect of the story was captivating, what I found most enjoyable was the science aspect. Madeleine L'Engle masterfully blended our own world with the magical one, making it as realistic as possible. The combination of an interesting world, engaging characters, and at times, a really creepy setting, all came together to create a wonderful novel and an amazing start to a series that I simply cannot wait to continue.

Wow! I never imagined reading this book for the first time when I'm in my 40s. For years, I let the book get lost in my ever-growing, chubby TBR pile. Probably it got stuck among piles of books, and I wouldn't have remembered to read it if Ted Lasso hadn't given this book to Roy Kent! If a book can heal the soul of one of the grumpiest fictional characters, it may surely help me too. At least that's what I thought before I started.

Overall, I loved the classic theme of three children teaming up to fight against the evil darkness threatening the universe. I liked how 13-year-old Meg was portrayed, as well as her little, enigmatic brother Charles. As their schoolmate Calvin joins them, guided by their weird neighbors with even weirder names - Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Witch - the two children's search for their missing father turns into a visit to the fifth dimension to confront the universal threat!
Yeap, I enjoyed it a lot and I'm so happy to skip the movie adaptations! I wish I had read it sooner, but better late than never! Here are my favorite quotes:

"Life, with its rules, its obligations, and its freedoms, is like a sonnet: You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. - Mrs. Whatsit"

"We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts."

"The only way to cope with something deadly serious is to try to treat it a little lightly "

"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."

This is an extremely serious book that delves into the profound struggle between good and evil.

It presents individuals with their own flaws and weaknesses, grappling against seemingly insurmountable obstacles and often succumbing to the allure of the dark side.

And yet, there is an unexpected lightheartedness about it.

In this captivating story, L'Engle takes a whimsical pleasure in revealing that most of the prominent characters are not as they initially appear.

This holds true for both ordinary human beings and those with paranormal and extra-terrestrial qualities.

The trio of eccentric and somewhat comical old ladies, who might seem like Shakespearean witches at first glance, turn out to be something entirely different.

Even an eyeless monster with tentacles transforms into the warm-hearted Aunt Beast.

Of course, L'Engle is also adept at creating nightmare-inducing images.

In a world that harks back to 1984, a boy is punished and sentenced to re-education for the simple act of bouncing a ball incorrectly.

The evil force at the core of this totalitarian regime rivals the gruesome talking head in C.S. Lewis's works.

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects is that the author does not condescend to her readers.

Instead, she provides them with glimpses of higher learning, even if it includes concepts that might be beyond the comprehension of the average young reader.

She does not shy away from incorporating science and math, and even includes proverbs in multiple languages, as well as quotations from the Bible, Dante, and Shakespeare.

This enriches the reading experience and encourages readers to expand their knowledge and understanding.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

The introduction by Anna Quindlen to "A Wrinkle in Time" had its pros and cons. While the overall introduction wasn't bad, the passage about sci-fi lacking in humanities rubbed the reviewer the wrong way. In fact, sci-fi at its best is a highly humane genre. The implication that this book is for those who don't like sci-fi also didn't sit well with the reviewer. However, despite the grumpy start, the reviewer found the book to be delightful. "A Wrinkle in Time" is a classic sci-fi book, though perhaps "science fantasy" is a more accurate description. The story follows Meg Merry, a temperamental 13-year-old, and her siblings as they search for their missing father with the help of three strange old ladies. The book involves interstellar travel and encounters with strange beings. The reviewer regretted not reading the book in their early teens and felt a bit alienated as an adult. They rated the book based on their enjoyment rather than its actual worth. The planet Camazotz was the most interesting part for the reviewer, while the characters could have been more developed. The climax and ending felt rushed. The book does, however, have good themes such as individuality and the idea that things are not always what they seem. The reviewer would highly recommend the book to children and to adults who don't mind reading a children's book.

“The truth is, I’m not a fan of science fiction, and my math and physics gene has always been weak. But there’s plenty in the book for those of us predisposed toward the humanities as well.”

- Introduction by Anna Quindlen


Hmm… Ms. Quindlen’s introduction to this book is—on the whole—not bad, but the above passage traveled deeply up my nose. The implication seems to be that sci-fi is generally lacking in humanities, when in fact sci-fi, at its best, is one of the most humane genres of fiction. A further implication (or my further inference) is that this book is “sci-fi for people who don’t like sci-fi”. If you don’t like sci-fi, it is quite alright, no need to struggle so hard to like some of it!


Ah! Enough with the grumpy intro, this is a delightful book after all. A Wrinkle in Time is generally considered a classic sci-fi book and often appears in “all-time great sci-fi” list, though “science fantasy” seems to be a more appropriate description given the many fantastical elements with no real science behind them. The narrative is mostly seen through the eyes of Meg Merry, a rather temperamental thirteen-year-old girl who has trouble fitting in at school. Her father, a scientist working for the government disappeared some years ago while on a secret assignment. Meg lives with her mother (also a scientist), her twin brothers and the youngest brother, Charles Wallace Murry, a genius generally mistaken for mentally handicapped as he prefers not to speak to most people.




A Wrinkle in Time is basically about Meg and Charles’ quest to find and rescue their father from wherever he is. They are aided by three weird old ladies, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, who are possibly extraterrestrial, or perhaps celestial. This involves interstellar travel by “Tessering”, a word derived from the geometrical term tesseract, folding the fabric of space and time to jump across light years; a little like hyperspace travel or taking shortcuts through wormholes. En route they come across many strange beings, including the three old ladies in their true forms, eventually they wind up on a bizarre and dreadful planet Camazotz, where conformity is king, and they have to confront “IT”, to rescue their father.


I kind of regret not having read A Wrinkle in Time in my early teens, I would have gotten the most out of it then. This book was written specifically for children, in a style that they will find accessible and enjoyable. Reading it as an adult I felt a little alienated from it, always feeling conscious that I am too far outside the target demographic. I don’t think this is a book “for all ages”, and rightly so, that is what children’s books are for. No point spoiling the book by making some subtle adult references that go over the children’s heads.



Having said that, I would be dishonest if I rated the book at five stars when I was not able to get the most out of it. The star rating is merely a reflection of my enjoyment of the book, not the book’s actual worth. For me, the planet Camazotz is the most interesting invention in this book, a rather surreal dystopian nightmarish landscape. The three “old ladies” are interesting characters but the children and their parents are drawn in rather broad strokes and I could not relate to them (though I suppose young readers will like them better than I do). The climax and the ending feel a bit rushed and not as exciting as I anticipated. I do like how Madeleine L’Engle has woven in the theme of individuality, though, the main characters are all a little unusual in some ways but they have to learn to treasure their uniqueness rather than feel frustrated at being outside the norm. I also appreciate that the book nicely communicates to children that things are often not what they seem. There is often beauty behind surface ugliness and vice versa.


I would definitely recommend A Wrinkle in Time to children; that is a no brainer. If you have kids, give them a copy! As for my adult GR friends, I would recommend it if you don’t mind reading an unabashedly children’s book, certainly it would be great to read along with your children.



Notes:

• For me, the main impetus to read this book now is the forthcoming new film adaptation. The trailer looks pretty good.


  



• Check out this hilarious (yet educational) “Thug Notes” video review.




• Coming back to the idea of “sci-fi for people who don’t like sci-fi”, what if you do like sci-fi? It depends on what kind of sci-fi you like. If your idea of good sci-fi is in the vein of Clarke /Asimov /Heinlein /PKD /Herbert, I don’t think A Wrinkle in Time would be quite the thing for you. It is more akin to C.S. Lewis’ Out of the Silent Planet, it even has some religious undertone, though less overt.


Quotes:

“We don’t travel at the speed of anything,” Mrs. Whatsit explained earnestly. “We tesser. Or you might say, we wrinkle.”


“We are all happy because we are all alike. Differences create problems.”


“I don’t understand it any more than you do, but one thing I’ve learned is that you don’t have to understand things for them to be.”


“Matter and energy are the same thing, that size is an illusion, and that time is a material substance. We can know this, but it’s far more than we can understand with our puny little brains.”



Mrs. Whatsit by mheuston