I just.... Maybe this book has nuggets of wisdom, but I simply could not finish it. It's way too rambly and distracted with so many irrelevant rabbit trails. Plus, some things she said were simply /not true/ in light of the Bible.

Almost thirty years later and I am amazed by how relevant this book is to our current society and political climate. This is an easy read with a lot of great thoughts.
I learned a lot about literature and story telling.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading, and especially to anyone who is considering a career as a writer.

Parts of this book I loved, and parts of it I skimmed. L’Engle writes in a stream-of-consciousness style that I sometimes got lost trying to follow. But there were some good parts, too, that sparked my own thoughts and creativity.

10/10 recommend. L’engle’s tenderly-written words of insight & gentle challenge are timeless—structured around story, this book is winsome and captivating in articulation of the Creator’s inexorable love and longing for all of Creation. reading and discussing this with Em has been a reflective & surprisingly relevant practice for 2025.

one of numerous favorite quotes:

“An institution, be it religious, medical, legal, or educational, tends to move very slowly, holding onto the status quo, afraid of rocking the boat, loath to accept that familiar ideas may have to be left behind.
We shouldn’t wait for the institutions to do the changing, but be willing to change ourselves, for in the end it is we who make up the institution, and if we become more open, more loving, more interdependent through the lavishness of God’s love, then we can and will make a difference.”

Madeleine L'Engle is one of, if not my very favourite authors. This book was mixed for me. I found that she wandered more than usual and at times, I lost the thread of each chapter/essay. On the other hand, the chapter on Story as Truth is one that repeatedly made me want to stand up and cheer. Her reflections on how scripture can be true without necessarily being literal and the dangers of entirely literal thinking put into words a sense that I have always had but would never be able to articulate. L'Engle often expresses the essences of my faith in ways that I could never articulate and that is why so often, I am filled with a sense of gratitude as I read her writing.

What a unique book! It took me a few chapters to figure out the pacing and set up of this thought-provoking work. Rich in theology, full of life lessons and wisdom, and powerful conclusions on the worth and value of all forms of story as a way of portraying truth. What is truth? What are facts? What is knowledge? How are all of these connected and wrapped up in faith? What is the meaning of it all? Madeleine L'Engle manages to wrestles with all of these questions and more as she likewise shares from her own experience of pain and recovery. I love the perspective that she offers and the challenges that she presents! A lovely work.

A personal and deeply spiritual recounting of the author’s process of recovery from a horrendous automobile accident.

I thought this would be more like her book "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art." Instead, this is a sweet but rambling book (very personal, which was nice but a bit distracting from what I'd hoped the focus would be: writing truth).

I stopped reading due to lack of interest. Maybe I gave up too soon. Maybe my timing was off and it wasn't a good fit. Not sure. However I still love L'Engle. But if you're a writer looking for a good book centered in faith, read L'Engle's "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art," not this.

This is a book I could read over and over and still get more out of it.

Always encouraged and challenged after reading a L'Engle book.

At first, I struggled a bit to get into this book, but then I realized how much it was like sitting down for coffee with Madeleine L'Engle while she shares her love of story and her love of God. And it was amazing. So many rich truths and profound thought to ponder, both as a Christian and as an artist. This is one I want to buy my own copy of, so I can come back to it again and again.

A book of her healing intertwined with the story of faith and the importance of story.