In this second volume of four journals, Madeleine L'Engle pens, "this is our fourth four-generation summer." This statement is truly remarkable if one takes a moment to ponder it.

The journal's focus is on L'Engle's mother, a proud Great-Grandmother who is spending her final summer on earth. A significant amount of time is dedicated to rediscovering her mother's life. L'Engle describes her mother's adventures "in the days before planes [when] she traveled by camel and donkey; she strode casually through a world which is gone and which [L'Engle] will never see except through her eyes."

L'Engle writes about the slow loss of her mother as she declines. The woman she once knew has become a stranger, "the light behind her face is no longer there." She vividly describes how "up until a few years ago she was an example of a woman who had lived life fully, and who grows yearly more beautiful with age."

The process of her mother's decline leaves her with complex emotions. She is "furious with Mother for not being my mother, and I am filled with an aching tenderness I have never known before." The transition to mothering one's own mother and facing up to one's own mortality is exquisitely painful.

L'Engle writes, "There is something atavistic in us which resents, rejects, this reversal of roles. I want my mother to be my mother. And she is not. Not anymore. Not ever again." In contrast, babies and animals accept and affirm Great-Grandmother exactly as she is, and she can find peace with them.

L'Engle seems to find some measure of peace for herself through rest and sleep. She writes, "I still treasure the time before sleep comes, when I move into the shallows before plunging down into deep waters; and the minutes before I surface into the daylight and the routine of the day, when I swim slowly up from sleep and dreams, still partly in that strange, underwater world where I know things which my conscious mind is not able to comprehend."

Madeleine L'Engle's account of the last summer of her mother's life is a profound and moving exploration.

With love, she delicately weaves the story, yet also includes her own honest doubts. The loss of a cherished parent is an inevitable part of life, but it is undeniably one of the hardest experiences to endure.

L'Engle's struggle and her search for peace are palpable throughout this second journal of hers that I have had the privilege to read.

Her words paint a vivid picture of the emotions she went through during that difficult time.

I found myself deeply touched by her vulnerability and her willingness to share her journey with the reader.

It serves as a reminder that we are all human, and even in the face of great loss, we can find strength and hope.

L'Engle's writing is a beautiful testament to the power of love and the importance of documenting our lives and our emotions.

It is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

This book holds great significance and is highly relevant to my life at this very moment.

I am currently in the midst of a challenging journey, facing the harsh reality of mortality along with my parent.

It is during these difficult times that this book has emerged as a valuable source of inspiration and guidance.

The author's words seem to resonate deeply within me, offering comfort and a new perspective on this complex and emotional experience.

I have found that every page of this book is filled with profound insights and relatable stories that have helped me to better understand and cope with the situation at hand.

It is truly a worthwhile read, one that I would highly recommend to anyone who is going through a similar experience or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the human condition.

I am grateful to have come across this book and look forward to continuing to explore its pages as I navigate this difficult path.

My Grandma just turned 90.

This book is coming at the right time yet again. It is not just an ordinary book; it is a profound exploration of death, life, and the countless stories that lie in between.

I have been completely captivated by her stories of her own family history. They are like precious pearls, each one carrying a piece of the past.

As I listen to her tales, I feel a deep connection to my roots. I want these words to be embedded in my bones somehow, to become a part of me.

Grandma's stories are a reminder of the importance of family, of the love and sacrifices that have been made over the years.

They give me a sense of perspective and make me appreciate the present even more.

This book is truly a gift, and I am grateful to have it in my life.

While I didn't find this particular work to be as strong as her other non-fiction pieces, I truly relished her account of caring for her mother in the final days. She openly delved into the grieving process, encompassing the memories that inundate one during such a time. The middle section, which consisted of these memories, wasn't quite as captivating as the beginning and the end. This is precisely the reason for the three-star review.

Nonetheless, it is highly recommended. Her honest portrayal of the emotional turmoil and the challenges faced while taking care of her ailing mother offers valuable insights. It makes the reader empathize with her situation and understand the complexity of the grieving process. Despite the slight dip in interest in the middle, the overall narrative is engaging and thought-provoking. It serves as a reminder of the importance of family and the significance of the moments we share with our loved ones before they depart.

This memoir is truly touching and it has the power to bring up all kinds of emotions within us.

As we read through its pages, we are taken on a journey that is filled with love, loss, joy, and sorrow.

The author's words are so vivid and descriptive that we can almost picture every scene in our minds.

It makes us reflect on our own lives and the people and experiences that have shaped us.

This memoir is not just a story, but a beautiful piece of art that will stay with us long after we have finished reading it.

Highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book that will touch their heart and make them think.

This is one of the first books I've read in a while that has truly moved me to tears.

The writing is simply beautiful, with emotions being conveyed in the most honest and truthful manner.

I have a deep love for L'Engle's autobiographical works.

They have this amazing ability to make me feel a little bit more "normal" in a world that can often seem chaotic and overwhelming.

Moreover, they inspire me in the most remarkable ways.

They encourage me to write, to express my own thoughts and feelings, to explore the world of words.

They also make me eager to read more, to discover new stories and perspectives.

Surprisingly, they even give me the motivation to do my homework!

L'Engle's works have had a profound impact on me, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have read them.

The Summer of the Great-Grandmother, the second book of The Crosswicks Journal, is truly a remarkable piece of work. There is so much love that pours out from its pages.

It offers a slow and comforting read, taking us on a journey through the past memories of Madeleine, her mother (the great-grandmother), and her forebears. These memories provide a sense of solace and guidance that is truly heartwarming.

The book is poignant, intricate, and honest, making it one of the best memoirs I have ever read. The quotes from the book, such as "When I look at the long green and gold days of this summer, the beautiful days are probably more beautiful, and the horrible days more horrible, than in actuality. But there's no denying that it's a summer of extremes," add depth and meaning to the story.

The statements about perfectionism being imprisoning and freedom to remember, share, dream, and accept irrationality and paradox being what makes us human animals are also thought-provoking.

Moreover, the idea that our lives are given dignity by their very evanescence is a powerful one. If we could have our quiet moments at the brook forever, we might not treasure them as much.

Overall, I would rate this book a 5/5. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good memoir or is interested in exploring the power of memories and family.

Own.

There is so much to consider. What truly lies at the essence of a person, that is, the ousia? This is a wonderful follow-up to A Circle of Quiet. L'Engle engages in a profound struggle with life, death, identity, and the soul. She delves deep into these complex and fundamental aspects of human existence, exploring them with great thought and passion.

I particularly loved the section about her mother's ancestry and the captivating stories of the people in her family tree. It was fascinating to learn about their lives, their experiences, and the unique qualities that defined them. I also adored their informal education. It was a different kind of learning, one that was rich in practical knowledge, life lessons, and the wisdom passed down through generations. It added a whole new dimension to the understanding of who they were and how they became the people they were.

Life is truly a fugue.

Our lives and memories intertwine and collide with one another in the most fascinating ways.

Perhaps, if I hadn't dedicated 20 days this summer to staying at a hospice house, this book might have only received 4 stars.

However, for me, this is the summer of the great grandfather, and every single word in this book feels precious and not a word was wasted.

It is truly a five-star worthy piece of work.

And then there are the chapters filled with stories that take place in places I know and love so dearly.

That old Florida, which I gaze at nightly in a painting on my wall,仿佛 has a special allure.

Sometimes, I almost feel as if I could fall right into it, and this book had a similar effect on me.

I can't go for too long without hearing the sound of the surf either, Madeleine.

It has been far too long. Thank you for this much-needed visit.

Madeleine herself may now be gone, but this summer, I am not only reading her book but also living it.

I am truly thankful not to be alone during this time.

An extremely emotional book that manages to keep emotion at arm's length practically throughout the entire time. It truly serves as a great reminder that our time here is brief. We are surrounded by the histories of those who came before us, also here for a short while, and the potential histories that stretch out ahead of us, yet can only be glimpsed in fragments.

My mother lent me this book while I was in the hospital recently. She was worried that I wouldn't like it. However, I am now looking forward to letting her know that I thought it was truly incredible. It has had a profound impact on me, making me reflect on the brevity of life and the importance of the stories that surround us.

Despite its emotional undertones, the book's ability to maintain a certain distance adds an interesting layer to the reading experience. It allows the reader to approach the themes with a more objective eye, while still being deeply moved by the underlying messages.

Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging read. It has the power to make you see the world in a different light and appreciate the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

I read this book many years ago, and it made such a profound impression on me that it has remained with me ever since.

Currently, I am reading the Crosswicks Journals, and thus decided to reread this particular one in its rightful place within the series.

Given that I am now much older than when I first read it, I approached it from a slightly different perspective.

Nonetheless, I still adored all the family stories just as deeply as before. Madeleine's fiction is rich with her family tales, and real-life problems are plentiful.

The more one knows about her family, the more understandable her love for the ocean and the stars becomes.

I am truly glad that I decided to read it again.

It has been a wonderful journey to revisit this book and gain new insights and perspectives.

Madeleine's writing is so captivating that it draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are a part of the story.

I look forward to continuing my exploration of the Crosswicks Journals and seeing what other treasures I will discover.