Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
4 stars
37(37%)
3 stars
29(29%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
This is book #4 based on the order the books were written. However, it is #3 according to the internal chronology of the books. It is set approximately 5 years after the first two books. The twins, Sandy and Dennys, who were minor characters in the first two books, are now 15 and take center stage.

Religious themes are more prominent in this book compared to the first two. It is an inventive fantasy that combines the Bible story with time travel, along with unicorns and other mythical creatures.

The book description reveals that Sandy and Dennys have always been the ordinary ones in the extraordinary Murry family. They enjoy gardening, manage to get an occasional A in school, and play baseball. But their lives change when they accidentally disrupt their father's experiment. Suddenly, the two boys are catapulted across time and space. They find themselves alone in the desert. Here, if they believe in unicorns, they can encounter them. And whether they believe or not, mammoths and manticores will seek them out.

The twins are rescued by Japheth from the nearby oasis. But before he can bring them to safety, Dennys goes missing. Each boy quickly becomes involved in the conflicts of this time and place, which is populated by winged seraphim, a few stray mythic beasts, perilous and beautiful nephilim, and small, long-lived humans who view Sandy and Dennys as giants. The boys realize they have more to do in the oasis than just find a way home. They must reunite an estranged father and son, and it won't be easy, especially when the son is named Noah and is about to begin building a boat in the desert.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Just like the second book, it calmly seemed unnecessary to me.

I feel that the combination of religion and science fiction does not go hand in hand. C.S. Lewis already tried it with his cosmic trilogy and look how that turned out for him. I do appreciate his attempt at highlighting the feminine, but it falls into the melodramatic genre... Ugh! And the wink at the biblical passage leaving it half-finished... Unforgivable. I hope the saga is worth it to reach its end.

REVIEW ON THE BLOG: https://lavidadeungamerprincipiante.b...

PS: "Some things must be believed in order to be seen"
July 15,2025
... Show More
I find Madeline L'Engle books to be extremely comforting.

I believe it is because the Murry family in her works is so reasonable and pragmatic, and their home life is so domestic.

Initially, I wasn't sure if a book centered around "normal" family members would be as captivating as the others I had read. However, Many Waters proved to be very good.

Now, I have a strong desire to read the rest of the series. So far, I've only read A Wrinkle in Time and An Acceptable Time.

The way L'Engle portrays the Murry family makes me feel as if I am a part of their lives, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

Her writing style is engaging and immersive, drawing me into the story and making it difficult to put the book down.

I can't wait to discover what other adventures and lessons the remaining books in the series have in store for me.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This is my second favorite in the quintet.

The first book holds the top position as my absolute favorite.

As the story progresses to the middle, there are several obvious loose ends that catch my attention.

I find myself starting to ponder and try to figure out how the author will deal with them.

Surprisingly, the author manages to wrap up these loose ends in a truly satisfying way that I didn't anticipate at all.

However, I only gave this book four stars.

The main reason is that it is written for a younger audience.

Due to this, it is a little less engaging compared to some other books targeted at more mature readers.

Nevertheless, it still has its own charm and is quite interesting.

Overall, it is a good addition to the quintet, despite its slight drawbacks.
July 15,2025
... Show More
You might think I'm a glutton for punishment listening to another Madeline L'Engle audiobook, and maybe I am.

Thankfully, the narrator on this one did a much better job than the previous book narrators.

As for the story itself, I'm sure I read it before, but really didn't remember much.

Madeline L'Engle writes beautiful stories that give your imagination such vivid images.

I was a little confused by the fact that this particular book takes place between "A Wind in the Door" and "A Swiftly Tilting Planet".

I'm guessing she felt she needed to do a story on the twins, and it was interesting.

However, I would have preferred it to happen in chronological order.

This way, it would have been easier for me to follow the overall arc of the series and understand the development of the characters and the plot.

Nonetheless, I still enjoyed listening to this audiobook and look forward to exploring more of Madeline L'Engle's works.
July 15,2025
... Show More
As I mentioned regarding A Wind in the Door and A Swiftly Tilting Planet, I was unaware of these sequels to A Wrinkle in Time until I reached adulthood and read them when my son was delving into the quartet. I now possess this beautiful edition: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.... I have reread the books (along with their respective endnotes) but reviewed them separately.

From what I understand, fans of the Time Quartet have two primary concerns with this book. Firstly, it features the Murry twins having an adventure. Secondly, this adventure is set during the time of Noah. I don't have an issue with the latter. However, I do get the first point. This adventure seems out of character for the twins. They are the static, 'normal' characters in the books, serving as a contrast to the 'eccentric' members of their family and providing some comic relief. But I have no problem considering this book as an alternative, parallel 'history'.

I suspect there's a third, perhaps more disconcerting, issue for some fans. Unlike the rest of the series, this book delves into sex, mostly lust, although love is also promoted. For the teenage twins, who were previously only concerned with sports and their upcoming driver's licenses, this is the story of their sexual awakening. It also serves as a possible primer for their future lives together. 1) They are likely to fall in love with the same (good) girl who will also be in love with both of them, which will be complex. 2) They need to beware of the older, seductive (bad) girl with the “perfect” (L’Engle’s word) body. Unicorns are also part of the story, and we all know the implications of that. Having a brilliant scientist mother has definitely influenced their views. They have no problem thinking and referring to the Biblical story they are a part of as “chauvinistic.”

My main gripe with the book is that it seemed to drag on for too long (perhaps because my adolescent days are long behind me). Scenes like the ones where the boys are being cared for after sunstroke started to feel repetitive and a bit dull. What kept me reading was L'Engle's storytelling prowess.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This novel in the Wrinkle In Time Quintet centers around the twins. It takes us back several years from A Swiftly Tilting Planet.

Sandy and Dennys, who are still teenagers, accidentally tesser themselves to the era of the Big Flood. Instead of dealing with contemporary problems, they end up getting involved in the conflicts that occurred before Noah and his family boarded the ark.

The audio version, which is superbly performed by Ann Marie Lee, truly brings the story to life. The vivid narration makes it easy for listeners to immerse themselves in the adventures of Sandy and Dennys.

Overall, this book is highly recommended. It offers a unique and engaging perspective on a well-known biblical event, and the audio version enhances the reading experience even further. Whether you're a fan of science fiction or historical fiction, this novel is sure to capture your imagination.
July 15,2025
... Show More
The Murry twins, in a rather accidental turn of events, manage to completely mess up an experiment that their parents are conducting. As a result, they find themselves being transported

elsewhere. After some time, they gradually come to the realization that they have gone back to the time and place of Noah. They are deposited in a land that is populated by all kinds of mythical creatures. It seems that they have been sent there for a specific reason,

but unfortunately, they have no idea what that reason might be. I was truly taken aback by the time period in which this book is set (at least within the timeline of the Murry family). However, I firmly believe that this is precisely part of the charm of this series. The concept of time being non-linear adds an extra layer of intrigue and mystery,

making it all the more captivating for readers. It allows for unique storylines and adventures that can span across different eras and dimensions, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats and eager to discover what will happen next.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Many Waters is the fourth installment in Madeleine L’Engle’s TIME quintet.

The previous three books, namely A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet, have centered around Meg Murray and her peculiar little brother Charles Wallace as they embark on adventures through time and space.

However, Many Waters is entirely distinct. In this narrative, Meg’s twin brothers, Sandy and Dennis, meddle with a computer in their mother’s laboratory and are catapulted back to the era of Noah before he constructs the ark.

From that point on, the story transforms into a curious historical fantasy, drawing its source text from Genesis 6.

In this renowned biblical account, God proclaims that humans are violent and corrupt.

The boys find themselves in a strange and unfamiliar world, facing numerous challenges and having to rely on their wits and courage to survive.

As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a thrilling journey filled with mystery, danger, and unexpected twists.

Many Waters offers a unique perspective on the biblical story of Noah’s ark, adding a touch of fantasy and adventure that makes it a captivating read for both young and old alike.

It explores themes such as good and evil, the power of faith, and the importance of family.

Overall, Many Waters is a remarkable addition to Madeleine L’Engle’s TIME quintet, and a must-read for fans of fantasy and science fiction.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I really struggled with this particular book. The main issue was my lack of initial enthusiasm to read it. If I were to come back to it at a different moment, I likely would have a much greater appreciation for it. It is so distinct from the previous three books that I felt instantly disoriented. When I'm in the right frame of mind for midrash, I will definitely return to it.

However, I'm extremely eager to find out if the twins will play a more prominent and active role in the subsequent books. After all, they have now been "converted" into the rather strange and complex world of their parents, sister, and brother.

I've decided to follow the series plan that is published along with the family tree in these editions. So, I'll pause the Murry books here and move on to the O'Keefe books (Arm of the Starfish, Dragons in the Waters, A House Like a Lotus) before delving into An Acceptable Time. As far as I can determine, there is the Time quintet, the O'Keefe quintet, and the Kairos octet. I suppose I'm choosing to read them in the order of the Kairos. This is a completely new fandom for me, and I haven't yet had the opportunity to explore the ideal reading order for this series. But first, I need a little break because Many Waters really took a lot out of me.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Time travel has always been a fascinating concept, and imagining traveling back to the time of Noah is truly captivating.

We can picture the enormous ark being constructed, with Noah and his family working tirelessly to ensure its completion. The anticipation of the great flood must have been palpable.

As we arrive at that time, we would witness the gathering of all the animals, two by two, entering the ark. The chaos and excitement in the air would be overwhelming.

We could observe the rain starting to fall, slowly at first, and then increasing in intensity. The world around us would be transforming, with the land being submerged and the waters rising higher and higher.

Being in the time of Noah would give us a unique perspective on this ancient story, allowing us to experience the events firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of this moment in history. It would truly be an interesting and unforgettable adventure.
July 15,2025
... Show More

Short Review: This is the very first time that I have delved into this particular book. The previous three installments of the series, I have perused multiple times. However, this one presents a distinct feel. They are embarking on a visit to biblical Noah. Interestingly, the focus is centered on the twins rather than Meg and Charles Wallace. It gives the impression of being an older book, with somewhat more mature themes. Nevertheless, I must admit that it is not my second favorite book within the series thus far.


My more in-depth review can be found on my blog at http://bookwi.se/many-waters/.

Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.