Rewriting this passage as an adult offers such a distinct experience. It's truly remarkable how the perspective changes when one has grown and matured.

Particularly, when considering that Meg is also an adult now. It adds an extra layer of depth and understanding to the story.

As an adult, we can better empathize with Meg's emotions, her struggles, and her growth. We can see the world through her eyes and appreciate the nuances that might have escaped us when we were younger.

Reading this as an adult allows us to reflect on our own lives, our own experiences of growing up, and the lessons we have learned along the way.

It's a journey of self-discovery and a reminder of the power of literature to touch our hearts and minds, no matter how old we are.

Absolutely perfect!

This phrase implies a state of flawlessness and excellence that is truly remarkable. It suggests that something has achieved the highest level of quality and cannot be improved upon. When we describe something as absolutely perfect, we are expressing our utmost admiration and satisfaction.

For example, a performance that is absolutely perfect leaves the audience in awe. Every note, every movement, and every expression is executed with precision and grace. It is a moment of pure magic that will be remembered for a long time.

Similarly, a product that is absolutely perfect meets all of our expectations and more. It is designed with the utmost care and attention to detail, and it functions flawlessly. We feel a sense of pride and satisfaction in owning such a product.

In conclusion, the phrase absolutely perfect is a powerful expression of praise and admiration. It represents the highest standard of quality and excellence, and it is something that we all strive for in our lives.

A Swiftly Tilting Planet leans more towards the realm of fantasy rather than pure sci-fi, and for that reason, it appealed to my taste more than A Wind in the Door. It is somewhat disappointing that L'Engle constructs these wonderful and fantastical aspects of her world in this book but fails to explore them further in subsequent installments. However, having already delved a few chapters into Many Waters, I can sense that she does touch upon them again later.

A Swiftly Tilting Planet also had a stronger emotional pull on me compared to A Wind in the Door. Its expansive plot and the ongoing theme of looking beyond the surface to see the person who is worthy of love made it a truly engaging read. There is so much to contemplate and reflect upon after finishing this book. It makes you think about the deeper meanings and messages that L'Engle is trying to convey. Overall, it was a great addition to the series and left me eager to continue reading more of her works.

Update March 2020:

I have an intense and delightful love for this book. It has the power to bring tears of both joy and sadness, as well as pity. I truly adore this book

When I was a kid, the L'Engle's Time series was just a trilogy, so this was the final volume.

On this re-read, as bedtime stories with the kids, I enjoyed the first volume, A Wrinkle in Time, and liked the second, A Wind in the Door, even better. However, this one is a different kind of story.

Though L'Engle attempted a much bigger, more substantial story, it falls short in some frustrating ways.

What's good about A Swiftly Tilting Planet is the language. L'Engle seems to have put much more effort into crafting every word of this book. She often uses alliteration, brings in some really interesting and unusual words, and infuses the sentences with a rhythm that I don't remember being present in the other books in the series. Reading it aloud was often a delight, especially for a family that loves words and good use of language.

I also admire L'Engle for looking at a bigger canvas than before in her storytelling. This book includes extensive use of time-travel, as well as Charles Wallace going "Within" other people, in avatar fashion. Elements of this story hint at many other sci-fi stories that have come since.

What doesn't work is unfortunately too much. Though Charles Wallace seems to have some ability to influence the people he goes Within at the beginning, by the end he is lost in the narrative, seemingly not doing much to influence history. It's all a little puzzling - he's supposed to lose himself in the person he's inhabiting, but he's also supposed to repair something in time that went wrong.

The idea that something in the future can be changed by making little changes here and there throughout the past is intriguing, but ultimately too simplistic to make a great story. It's also odd how in every generation there is a man from one particular family and a woman from another, who are destined to marry. How can these two family lines always produce people who marry, then after a few generations there is another couple that is distant enough in bloodline that they can marry, on and on? I found it puzzling.

So, the plot is a little too much for a children's book. But the bigger issue is what's happened to the main characters in the years since the second book. Charles Wallace is, of course, still brilliant. The Murray parents are still geniuses who are on-call for the President of the United States. Calvin and Meg are married. Calvin, of course, is brilliant, like almost everyone in the book. Even the twins, Sandy and Dennys, the supposedly "normal" ones, not especially intelligent, are studying medicine and law, and are, of course, brilliant after all.

You know who isn't brilliant and making an amazing career for herself? Meg. The protagonist. Who, it happens, is female. Instead of accomplishing astounding things in the world, Meg is pregnant. She sits around the house, worrying about her brilliant husband, and being babied by literally every member of the family. It's ridiculous. Meg, who formerly was brilliant, is now just very, very normal, and apparently helpless. During this story, she lies on her bed, observing what Charles Wallace is doing. Sad.

I like that L'Engle attempted so much with this story, but I'm disappointed with her treatment of Meg. Had Meg been the true protagonist again, instead of merely an observer, I would like the book a lot more.

The story that was centered around something like good or positive genetic traits seemed extremely regressive and was just poorly carried out. As a result, it was a far more uninteresting story when compared to the previous two books.

Although the prose, in general, was better. Still, one could observe the direction she was headed in terms of value, and I believe that perhaps the state of science at that particular time did not support her arguments.

Due to this, the ending felt even more artificial and contrived. It was a bit of a letdown considering the potential that might have been there.

Maybe with a different approach or a more up-to-date understanding of genetics and related concepts, the story could have been more engaging and less predictable.

As it stands, it just didn't quite live up to the expectations set by the earlier installments in the series.

The book still retains all the flaws that were present in the first two books. However, I discovered that this particular volume, with its intricately interlocking stories, is by far the most entertaining one among the series thus far.

The way the different storylines intersect and interact creates a web of intrigue that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. Despite the existing flaws, the author has managed to craft a narrative that is both captivating and engaging.

Each story within the book adds another layer to the overall plot, making it a rich and complex reading experience. While it may not be a perfect book, it definitely has its charm and entertainment value.

I look forward to seeing how the remaining books in the series will build upon this foundation and continue to evolve the story.

I found out after I finished reading that this is actually book 4 of the “A Wrinkle in Time” quintet, not Book 3. However, this didn't interfere with my enjoyment at all.

It did cause a bit of confusion when I started reading the next book and everyone seemed younger than in this one.

Many changes have occurred in the Murry family. Charles Wallace is now fifteen, and Meg is married to Calvin and expecting their first child. The twins, Sandy and Dennys, have returned home from law and medical school.

Everyone has gathered at the Murry home for Thanksgiving, except for Calvin, who is in London for a conference. Even Meg's mother-in-law has joined them.

The festivities are disrupted when Mr. Murry receives a phone call from the President, learning that the world is in danger of a possible nuclear war at the hands of the insane dictator Madog Branzillo.

Charles Wallace and Gaudior, the unicorn, embark on an adventure through time to find the right “might have been” to save the world from destruction.

Although Meg can't physically accompany them, she is with them in spirit through her ability to “kyth” and enter Charles Wallace's thoughts and emotions.

This adventure presents Charles Wallace with his biggest test of faith and will as he is sent into four different people. He has to fully surrender himself to find the information needed to avert the tragedy facing everyone.

This is yet another amazing book in the series, and I truly relished every step. I loved delving deeper into the Murry family and interacting with them more. I also enjoyed Calvin's mother's participation.

Until now, I hadn't really liked Calvin's mother or any of his family. But, we learn a great deal about her backstory and the reasons for her current state. I found myself empathizing with her to a significant extent.

As in her previous books, Madeleine L’Engle combines both science and Christian faith while posing questions that really make you think. Charles Wallace, and Meg through him, learned a lot about surrendering to faith and not always trying to take control, something we all need to learn.

Well, that was interesting.

I decided to read this book mainly because it was assigned reading for my 14-year-old daughter. I purchased two copies at the used bookstore so that we could read them simultaneously. However, it wasn't the sole reason. I was also curious about what I would think of L'Engle's writing. I faintly recall reading "A Wrinkle In Time" when I was a youngster, perhaps around 7 years old. I remember liking it, but not much more than that. Returning to books from one's childhood can be a risky endeavor, but I wasn't so emotionally attached to the memory that it would be devastating if her style didn't appeal to 52-year-old me as much as it did to 7-year-old me. Of course, I don't precisely know how "A Swiftly Tilting Planet" compares to "A Wrinkle In Time", but most people who liked one also liked the other, and vice versa.

First of all, I can say that it is most definitely a young reader's book. This doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed by an adult, but it does imply that there is a certain amount of, um, saccharine content that one has to tolerate. Otherwise, one won't be able to enjoy the book. I can overlook this kind of thing if I'm aware of it from the start. For me, it's kind of like magic being real in a story; it's fine if it's made clear at the beginning, but annoying if it's encountered in the latter half. Still, some of it did get a bit overly sweet. The baby unicorn, for example.

I also had to brush aside certain plot holes. For instance, if the same two families kept marrying each other, generation after generation as in this book, by the mid-20th century, you would have some extremely inbred children. Part of my mind was thinking of the European royal families with their problems of hemophilia and the ever-growing Hapsburg jaw. But, you know, I just put it aside.

There's also an issue with the use of similar names, generation after generation, in a story that involves time travel like this one. It was not at all easy for me to keep Zillah, Zillie, Zillo, and Bran/Brandon/Branwen straight in my head. This wouldn't have been much of a problem if the story had a linear, first-the-past-and-then-the-future kind of narrative, but with a time-traveling unicorn and some "Quantum Leap"-style mind melds taking us hopping around, it started to get a bit muddled in my mind.

All in all, if you know going in that you're going to be reading a rather extra-sweet, slightly hippy-dippy blend of science fiction and fantasy, with a lot of time travel thrown in, it wasn't done badly. It's sort of like when you watch a Saturday morning cartoon and there's actually a bit of a plot. It wouldn't be hard to find things to be critical of, but if you're not approaching it with a harsh mindset, it's entirely possible to enjoy. There are a couple of villains who are thoroughly dislikeable, and some good guys who are earnest and a little bit precious but basically likable. There are a few brief combat scenes, and a heaping big budget of special effects when the space unicorn with wings takes the protagonist through space and time.

There might have been a few as-you-know-bobs. Not too painful, not too long, but if that sort of thing really bothers you, be warned.

Still, I found it easy to read and a not unpleasant experience. I'm not sure I'm going to rush out and devour the rest of the series, but I'm glad I decided to read this one, and that my jaded old heart was able to hold back on the caustic scorn enough to allow myself to enjoy it.

The protagonists of this saga grow throughout the books, just like the quality of the stories and L'Engle's skill with the pen.

In "A Wrinkle in Time", the author explores the themes of space travel, physics, and mathematics, intertwined with the battle of good against evil, light against darkness, a theme that will be recurrent in her works. It is also noticeable the author's strong belief in God (although she never mentions a specific church, always speaking of the power of Heaven, of the Good, the Light).

In the sequel, "A Wind in the Door", the focus will be on biology, and at the same time, the impact that a single individual has on society, as one life can change everything. Meg and Charles Wallace will always have the help of some agent of good, an individual from another planet who knows the struggle between light and darkness and knows how ignorant humans are in that aspect. This installment was the one I enjoyed the least, although I can't tell you why.

In this installment, Charles Wallace will travel through time on the back of a unicorn (I know it sounds quite childish and implausible). He is looking for the could-have-beens in history that will help him prevent a nuclear war between Vespugia (a fictional country where Patagonia, Argentina is, which made me laugh a lot) and the rest of the world. Meg is an adult and pregnant, but she will accompany her 16-year-old brother Charles on this journey, transmitting from her room. Thus, they will get to know the life of the Maddox and LLawcae lineages, two Welsh families with Indian blood and a common legend.

The characters that the author created in this installment were wonderful, and the life stories of each one are full of love and tragedy. Therefore, it was the most emotional and beautiful book of the saga so far, and it left me wanting to know more about the life of each of them. L'Engle won my heart with this book.

My favorite of the Time series is truly a remarkable one.

It has always captured my imagination with its unique blend of mystery, adventure, and thought-provoking concepts.

The storylines are intricately woven, taking the reader on a thrilling journey through different eras and dimensions.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities and motives.

What I love most about this series is how it makes me question the nature of time itself.

It challenges my perception and makes me think about the possibilities that lie beyond our understanding.

Whether it's the exploration of historical events or the speculation about the future, the Time series never fails to engage and entertain.

It is a literary masterpiece that has left a lasting impression on me and will continue to be a favorite for years to come.

Wow. Out of all of the Time Trilogy novels, I had the fondest memories of this one. I guess as a child I skipped over a lot of it.

We enter the Murray family, but about 9 years or so from the events of "A Wind in the Door". Meg has married Calvin off-screen and is pregnant. Sandy and Denys are bankers, and Charles Wallace is 15. I admit I wasn't crazy about that, seeing as Meg was the soul of the first two books, and I really wanted to see her interact with Calvin more. But I can understand.

It sets up well, although not as nicely as "A Wind in the Door". The Murrays are sitting around being smart when the President lets Mr. Murray (who is magically here this time, neither away nor kidnapped, what do you know?) know that a dictator in a small South American country called Mad Dog Branzillio is threatening nuclear war, and it's likely to happen. Meg's new mother-in-law, Mrs. O'Keefe, manages to get a rune and utters a poem/spell. She seems to think Charles Wallace is the key to solving this.

This I can get. The point of the first two books seemed to be protecting Charles Wallace, so this is the one where we get to see his capabilities. He's hinted to be more in a way Meg can't be, almost a new type of human. So we get to see his stuff. He somehow summons the unicorn Gaudior. The two go off on an adventure, traveling through time.

Cool stuff, right? I admit, I was a little psyched, because I'd finally get a chance to see CW in action. And as a fifteen-year-old, his super intelligence and knowledge won't grate as much. Maybe we will even see a love interest for him.

NONE OF THIS HAPPENS.

IT SUCKS.

This is what happens. He saves the world by making tiny changes to Mad Dog's ancestors. It seems that the "bad" brother of two brothers married the wrong person, causing Mad Dog instead of Blue Eyes, a madman instead of a benevolent ruler. He pops into the ancestor, lives as them, and pops out.

He literally does nothing. Most of the book is the story of a Welsh clan that moved to Patagonia somehow and married natives. CW gets subsumed into their identity and doesn't comment or even perceive differences. He dives in, we get their particular story, he dives out. Once in a while he has a brief micro-adventure which mostly involves waiting for it to be over.

He does not grow, he does not meet anyone, he does not fall in love, he just is a vehicle to move these dull stories along. Meg just sits at home being pregnant and kytheing details, recognizing the plot links so we have some semblance of a plot. No one does anything.

The book ends with a time swap. Instead of nuclear war Mad Dog just doesn't exist. CW does not face him, or even SEE him. Mad Dog could have been a very interesting character to interact with, but he exists and dies offscreen.

It makes no sense. I mean, CW can do this? He broke causality and time traveled specifically to prevent a result, causing one person to not exist at all. This breaks the idea of Naming in "A Wind in the Door", and makes a tremendous mockery of any Christian idea the trilogy might have had. Maddog is not defeated or redeemed, he is unmade into an entirely different person. It makes no sense.

Neither does the rune thing. It's not explained how runes have any real power, and it's jarring considering the Christian focus of the first two books.

It's like L'Engle wanted to write an epic about the Welsh but needed to frame it as part of the Time Trilogy to sell it. It's tremendously anti-climatic, shortchanges virtually every main character, is passive as all get out, boring, and staggers the mind. The whole historical idea was handled much better in "Many Waters" with the Denys twins, and that book shows how it should have been done. This? No.