In this second volume of The Crosswicks Journal, following A Circle of Quiet, L’Engle delves into her family history. It is a means of remembering on behalf of her mother, who, at the age of 90, was succumbing to dementia during her final summer.

L’Engle had earlier expressed her desire for her mother to have a dignified death. However, the reality of incontinence and senility shattered that hope. She found herself in an unwanted position, much like her mother’s mother, and had to come to terms with the fact that she had no control over the situation. “This summer is practice in dying for me as well as for my mother,” she wrote.

One of the driving forces behind L’Engle’s foray into science fiction was her struggle to reconcile the concept of permanent human extinction with her Christian faith. She couldn’t simply affirm every word of the Creed either. Instead, she held a more broad-minded, mystical spirituality that deeply appeals to the reader.

L’Engle’s early life bears a resemblance to May Sarton’s, as described in I Knew a Phoenix. Both were born around World War I, raised partly in Europe, and sent to boarding school. The regenerative power of solitude and the writing process itself is a recurring theme in their nonfiction works.

Some of the favorite lines from the text include: “I said [in a lecture] that the artist’s response to the irrationality of the world is to paint or sing or write, not to impose restrictive rules but to rejoice in pattern and meaning, for there is something in all artists which rejects coincidence and accident.” Also, “Our lives are given a certain dignity by their very evanescence. If there were never to be an end to my quiet moments at the brook, if I could sit on the rock forever, I would not treasure these minutes so much. If our associations with the people we love were to have no termination, we would not value them as much as we do.” Additionally, “most of us are not aware of the small things we do—or don’t do—that cause pain which is never forgotten.”

I have been a passionate lover of Madeleine L'Engle's YA fiction for more than 20 years. As an adult, I have had the pleasure of reading several of her novels for the first time, and I was truly amazed by their beauty and depth. Works like "The Joys of Love" and "A Ring of Endless Light" left a lasting impression on me.

This particular book, however, was her first nonfiction work that I delved into. While it is filled with numerous poignant moments that make us treasure the time spent with our loved ones and offers valuable insights into family love, conflict, and grief, unfortunately, my overall experience was somewhat marred.

Specifically, I found Parts 2 and 3 (the middle two parts out of four) to be rather dull. These sections focused on L'Engle's own ancestors and, to me, they seemed like exaggerated tales of her family's supposed greatness. There was a hint of truth, but it was overshadowed by what felt like an air of arrogance.

Stories such as that of a grandfather who didn't board the Lusitania, a white great-grandmother who had a black friend during a time when it was considered "unheard of," and slaves of great-grandparents who were allegedly honored to be "more like servants" to their masters, struck me as more of a tone-deaf and self-congratulatory exercise rather than anything of real substance.

I found myself skimming through those parts rapidly, eager to return to the present-day action. In conclusion, I would recommend reading Parts 1 and 4 and simply skipping the middle sections for a more engaging and fulfilling reading experience.

I am not a huge Madeleine L'Engle fan.

This book is the second in a trilogy that is based at the author's home, Crosswicks, as I believe.

It provides a rather good history of her illustrious ancestors and also touches on her mother's declining health and dementia.

However, I have the feeling that perhaps she was whitewashing things to a considerable extent.

It's not so much about her mother but rather about her own life and the life of her ancestors.

I wouldn't recommend this book as it seemed very pretentious.

The way she presented the information made it feel as if she was trying too hard to make herself and her family look better than they actually were.

There were times when I thought she was glossing over certain aspects or not being completely honest.

Overall, it was a disappointment and not a book that I would suggest others to read.

I had read other books by Madeleine, such as "Wrinkle in Time" and "A Wind in the Door." However, this particular book seemed completely different.

I don't recall exactly where I first heard about it. I believe it was mentioned in another book that I was reading at the time.

Nonetheless, it was truly wonderful. The most significant thing I learned from it was the importance of sharing stories within our families.

These stories have the power to bless our lives in countless ways. They can bring us closer together, help us understand our family history and values, and create lasting memories.

By sharing stories, we can pass on our traditions and experiences to future generations, ensuring that our family's legacy lives on.

Overall, this book was a great reminder of the value of family and the importance of storytelling.

I'm reading The Crosswick Journals in a completely disorderly fashion. And among the ones I've read so far, this particular one delves the least into L'Engle's writing life.

However, she does provide a great deal of detail about her family's specific backstory, especially as it pertains to the family matriarchs. And once again, I find myself constantly surprised whenever I'm reminded that L'Engle and I are not contemporaries. I have no idea how she accomplishes it, but her voice is always so remarkably PRESENT. So when she states things like "my mother was born right at the end of the Civil War," I'm left thinking, "wait, what. That can't be right."

This journal is worth reading for several reasons. One of them is her honest and deeply emotional discussion about what it's like to witness someone you love age, change, and become distant due to dementia, all while being more physically present in your life than ever before. It offers a poignant and thought-provoking perspective on the complex nature of love and family in the face of such a difficult situation.

This one came at a truly opportune moment.

At the end of August, we unfortunately had to bid farewell to our beloved dog. Reading this particular piece provided some solace and helped us cope with the complex emotions that one experiences when facing a loss of any nature.

I read this mainly in the company of my dad, and as always, we both relished L'Engle's writing. However, we also took great delight in the stories about her great grandparents, grandparents, and parents. These stories are not only fun but also interesting and exciting, adding a rich layer to the narrative.

The sections that detail her present time with her mother are both sad and deeply moving. L'Engle does an excellent job of expressing her feelings of sadness and loss, as well as the grieving process she endured even before her mother's passing. She is refreshingly honest and open, unafraid of coming across as callous or disrespectful, while always remaining sensitive and respectful.

I wholeheartedly recommend this nonfiction account of her relationship with her mother not only to L'Engle fans but also to anyone who has found themselves in the position of being more of a parent to their own parents or to anyone who has suffered or is currently suffering a loss, whether it be of a parent, a cherished pet, or a dear friend.

It offers valuable insights and a sense of connection that can be truly comforting during difficult times.

A book that I will surely want to re-read in various stages of my life. It is so richly filled with profound insights, unwavering honesty, and wonderful family stories. I truly love it.

How many individuals have come into this world, led prosperous and loving lives, laughed heartily and wept bitterly, been an integral part of creation, and yet are now completely forgotten, not remembered by anyone currently walking on the face of the earth?

Our memories, at their very best, are so severely limited and finite. It is simply impossible for us to envision an unlimited and infinite memory, the memory of God. This is something that I deeply desire to believe in: that not a single atom of creation is ever overlooked or forgotten by Him. Everything always is, is cared for, is developing, and is loved.

This book has made me reflect on the significance of our existence and the power of memory. It has opened my eyes to the idea that there is a greater force that remembers and cares for all. I can't wait to revisit these pages and gain even more wisdom and inspiration in the future.

I would give this book all 5 glorious, glowing stars.

However, I think its appeal is limited. The book might not have been as relevant to me at a younger age.

Now, with my parents gone and even friends passing away, the topics of life and death, guilt and relationships, and even spirituality have taken on their true and enormous significance.

I believe that when we realize that our parents are individuals separate from their role as parents, it becomes easier to accept and appreciate them.

Consequently, we can also审视 our own roles as parents and feel more positive about what we have done for our children.

That is my hope.

This book serves as a truly beautiful tribute to L'Engle's mother.

It meticulously chronicles a great deal of what L'Engle knows regarding her family history. Additionally, it details the final summer that she spent nursing her mother prior to the latter's passing.

The family biography sections are interesting to peruse and showcase L'Engle's remarkable storytelling abilities. However, in my opinion, they are not as powerful as the parts where L'Engle engages in more general musings on living, being, dying, and mourning.

These deeper reflections offer profound insights into the human experience and add a layer of depth and poignancy to the book that is truly captivating.

Overall, this work is a touching and thought-provoking exploration of family, life, and death that is sure to resonate with readers.

I read this book long before my mother or my mother-in-law were living in their last couple of years.

My mind would often race back to the comments Madeleine L'Engle would write.

Madeleine L'Engle brings her mother to stay the summer at her home.

She watches in sadness as her mother ages rapidly both mentally and physically.

She openly discusses her complex feelings regarding aging parents, including reminiscences of childhood and family history.

It is a poignant and heart-wrenching experience for her.

Tragically, her mother passes away at the end of that summer.

This event leaves a profound impact on Madeleine L'Engle, and her words in the book capture the essence of this difficult and emotional journey.

Reading about her experiences makes me reflect on my own relationships with my mother and mother-in-law, and it serves as a reminder to cherish every moment with our loved ones as they age.

I never truly grasped the profound depth of M L'E's religious beliefs.

All of her literary works, even those within the realm of science fiction, are firmly rooted in her Christianity and draw inspiration from the Bible.

This particular book offers a comprehensive account of her life, delving into her family history. However, the most significant aspect is the detailed narrative of her mother's life story.

It explores the tragic journey of her mother's descent into dementia, which no doubt had a profound impact on M L'E and her family.

The book provides a unique perspective on not only M L'E's personal experiences but also the influence of her religious faith on her writing and her life as a whole.

It serves as a testament to the power of faith and the importance of family in the face of life's challenges.

I discovered that this particular piece was a more effortless read compared to A Circle of Quiet.

Within its pages, we are privy to L'Engle's childhood, her mother's early years, and details about her mother's family. It is truly quite fascinating. All of this is chronicled in a thoughtful and contemplative style. The book is set during L'Engle's final summer with her mother, and while it is evident that there are moments of sadness, it never veers into being overly sentimental.

Some quotes that I found particularly appealing are as follows:

"There is little character or loveliness in the face of someone who has avoided suffering, shunned risk, rejected life." (pg. 28)

"At best I am far from a perfect wife, or mother, or daughter....But Connie made me realize that one reason I don't feel guilty is that I no longer feel I have to be perfect. I am not in charge of the universe, whereas a humanist has to be, and when something goes wrong, tiny, delicate Connie, like most convinced humanists I've known, becomes enclosed with self-blame because she can't cope with the situation, and this inability presents her with a picture of herself which is not the all-competent, in-control-of-everything person she wants to see." (pg. 51)

"Perfectionism is imprisoning. As long as I demand it, in myself or anybody else, I am not free, and all my life - I've believed that freedom is important, that, despite all our misuse and abuse of it, freedom is what makes us a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor, according to the psalmist; how like a god, according to Shakespeare; freedom to remember, to share, to dream, to accept irrationality and paradox is what makes us human animals." (pg. 134)

These quotes offer profound insights into the human condition and L'Engle's perspective on life, relationships, and the pursuit of freedom.

The book as a whole provides a rich and engaging exploration of these themes, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in personal growth and self-reflection.