By Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L’Engle took a so-called child’s book and “whacked me up side of the head.” Thank you, Madeleine! You helped me grapple with things unseen in ways I have not since reading Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkenss.
Like many, I enjoyed reading A Wrinkle In Time to our children when they were growing up. Knowing the Disney film had released to tepid reviews, I wanted to re-read this gem before viewing the film.
A Wrinkle In Time focuses on Meg Murry, a high-school-aged student who is transported through space and time (along with her younger brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin O’Keefe). Why? To find and rescue Meg’s father, a scientist, who disappeared while working on a special project for the government. Meg and company land on the planet Camazotz where they free Mr. Murry, but not before Charles Wallace is taken prisoner by the evil force called IT. Meg must return — alone — to attempt rescue. Dare she risk crossing the wrinkle in time, much less face the sister force that has her little brother in its grip?
This book is mystery, adventure, and love played out over galaxies. There is a reason people have been reading A Wrinkle In Time for more than fifty years. Here are five reason you may want to pick it up again:
1. A Wrinkle In Time will make you think. L’Engle has been attacked from both “religious” and the “non-religious.” I think that’s a good thing. There are distinct Christian themes here, but Wrinkle is not overtly Christian. This book is thought-provoking entertainment.
2. A Wrinkle In Time has a fast-paced plot and is full of memorable characters, including Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Which, and my favorite, the continually quoting Mrs Who. Listening to Mrs Who quote Shakesepeare, Dante, and Scripture, not to mention in German, Italian, and English is an absolute treat.
3. A Wrinkle In Time provides great discussion starters for parents and children or friends who read it together.
4.A Wrinkle In Time is a reminder for everyone with a writing dream: Don’t let a negative voice dissuade you. Multiple publishers turned her down. Gratefully, she didn’t quit trying.
5. A Wrinkle In Time has stood the test of time. Are there many novels, north of fifty years old, that are being made into feature films? Heck, are there many middle-aged books that are even being read?
I picked up A Wrinkle In Time once. I’m glad I picked it up again. The Audible version includes an appreciation read by the film director Ava DuVernay’, a forward read by L’Engle, and an afterword written and read by L'Engle's granddaughter Charlot Jones Voiklis.