A Wrinkle in Time

published	January 1st 1962 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
binding	Hardcover
isbn	0374386137 (isbn13: 9780374386139)
pages	224
description	Everyone in town thinks Meg is volatile and dull-witted and that her younger brother Charles Wallace is dumb. People are also saying that their father...more [close] Everyone in town thinks Meg is volatile and dull-witted and that her younger brother Charles Wallace is dumb. People are also saying that their father has run off and left their brilliant scientist mother. Spurred on by these rumors, Meg and Charles Wallace, along with their new friend Calvin, embark on a perilous quest through space to find their father. In doing so they must travel behind the shadow of an evil power that is darkening the cosmos, one planet at a time. Young people who have trouble finding their place in the world will connect with the "misfit" characters in this provocative story. This is no superhero tale, nor is it science fiction, although it shares elements of both. The travelers must rely on their individual and collective strengths, delving deep into their characters to find answers. A classic since 1962, Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time is sophisticated in concept yet warm in tone, with mystery and love coursing through its pages. Meg's shattering yet ultimately freeing discovery that her father is not omnipotent provides a satisfying coming-of-age element. Readers will feel a sense of power as they travel with these three children, challenging concepts of time, space, and the power of good over evil. (Ages 9 to 12) [close]
date added	03-12-07 edit book

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Ryan rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

03/19/08

Read in March, 2008

Wow! I forgot what a great book this is. I read the four Madeline L'Engle books when I was a kid, but it was C. S. Lewis that I read over and over again. "A Winkle in Time" is really a classic piece of children's literature though, and deserves much attention.

To all of the normal readers out there, that's all I have to say. Read it again! It will only take you about two hours or so, and it is well worth it.

To the Lost Book Club peoples:

There are a few things in this ...more

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Tracy rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

07/25/08

Read in July, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Ever since I read A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L'Engle) as a child, I've consistently used it as my answer to "What's your favorite book?" I began to wonder if it stuck because it truly is such a great book, or if it stuck for lack of coming across something better. So I decided to reread it to find out if it still deserves its status among my favorites.

Well, I pulled the book off the shelf and began to read it. Coincidentally, a non-fiction book about Madeleine L'Engle that I h...more Ever since I read A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L'Engle) as a child, I've consistently used it as my answer to "What's your favorite book?" I began to wonder if it stuck because it truly is such a great book, or if it stuck for lack of coming across something better. So I decided to reread it to find out if it still deserves its status among my favorites.

Well, I pulled the book off the shelf and began to read it. Coincidentally, a non-fiction book about Madeleine L'Engle that I had reserved at the library arrived at the same time I started reading Wrinkle. This other book is about L'Engle's reflections on her writing life. I ended up reading both at the same time, and they were great companion books, building upon each other. For more details, see my review of Madeleine L'Engle Herself: Reflections on a Writing Life.

After finishing the first chapter in Wrinkle, I fell in love with it all over again. L'Engle created a quirky family when she created the Murry's, and they each have their defining character traits (though I might argue that the twins--Sandy and Dennys--seem to have the same traits. Perhaps that's not coincidence, since they are minor characters, and twins, after all). Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each member of the Murry household, as well as all the other characters, again. It was like reuniting with old friends.

Wrinkle is a science fantasy story that involves space and time travel, life on other planets, stars, physics, and good and evil. But it's even more than all that; it is also deeply personal. It's personal because we get to know the characters, flaws and all. Particularly the main character, Meg Murry, whose impatience and strong temper sometimes get the best of her. In this story, Meg discovers what she's really made of. I think one of the reasons I liked this book so much as a child--and why it has always been a favorite--is because I can find myself in Meg. She has flaws, but she is still able to fight "the Dark Thing" around her despite them. I, too, have flaws, but hope to never give up fighting the darkness that pervades our world.

The book begins on a stormy night, which foreshadows all that follows. In fact, the entire book is like one long dark-and-stormy night as Meg, Charles and Calvin fight in the shadow of the Dark Thing to save Meg's father. Even in the end, when all are safe and the fight has been won, the Dark Thing still looms over them. They have won a battle, but the storm still rages on.

Another reason I like Wrinkle so much is that it speaks truth. I didn't realize this as a child, but I must have sensed it even then, or it likely wouldn't have become such a favorite. It speaks truth not in the sense that it is a "true story," but in the sense that it teaches truths about life. Evil is real. Darkness can suck you in (like on Camazotz). People have flaws, but can still do great things. People also have gifts. Love conquers evil. So even though Wrinkle is a dark and stormy story, there is peace in the midst of the storm, a light even in the darkness.

The only reason I gave Wrinkle four stars instead of five is that there is a comment I don't quite theologically agree with in chapter 5: The Tesseract. Though it's just one comment, it is an underlying theme throughout the book. After seeing the Dark Thing for the first time, Mrs. Whatsit is talking with Charles Wallace, Meg, and Calvin about people who have been lights in the darkness--those who have fought against the Dark Thing in the past. That list includes Jesus, Michelangelo, Einstein, Ghandi and Buddha. Though there are similarities among Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, there are enough differences that not all can be true at the same time, and not all fight the same fight. I do believe Ghandi and Buddha were good men with good intentions, but their light is not the light of Christ that truly conquers "the Dark Thing." Besides that, however, I highly recommend A Wrinkle in Time. And yes, it still stands among my favorites....less

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Jennifer rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

11/25/07

Read in November, 2007

After finishing the book several days ago and thinking about it a lot since putting it down, what stands out most to me is L'Engle's bold choice in 1962 to publish a book with so many strong female characters. In that early post-50's era in America, most women stayed at home to raise their children and did not work outside the home. Mrs. Murry, however, is a brilliant scientist who ponders some of the universe's most challenging questions in what appears to be an equal partnership with her hus...more After finishing the book several days ago and thinking about it a lot since putting it down, what stands out most to me is L'Engle's bold choice in 1962 to publish a book with so many strong female characters. In that early post-50's era in America, most women stayed at home to raise their children and did not work outside the home. Mrs. Murry, however, is a brilliant scientist who ponders some of the universe's most challenging questions in what appears to be an equal partnership with her husband, such as in their joint consideration of whether tesseracts exist. She is also a loving mother who cares for her children while keeping something back for herself -- an important lesson for girls, particularly, who are frequently raised with the idea that Prince Charming will come along and sweep them away to a life of happiness if they only give themselves over completely. Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Which are not necessarily female in their true
essence (hence the description of Mrs. Whatsit's transformation on Uriel into a centaur-like creature with "a head resembling a man's"), but they choose to appear as female to Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace. Although their undeniable power is limited on Camazotz, they do give Meg powerful instruction and advice. L'Engle turns gender constructs on their head even further when she describes Meg's desire to have her father save the day ("Father will make it all right, Meg thought. Everything will be all right now."), and her anger and disappointment over his inability to meet those ingrained expectations. After being nurtured by the clever Aunt Beast, and given the gift of unconditional love by both Aunt Beast and Mrs. Whatsit, Meg then comes to the powerful realization that she (not her father, and not Calvin) must be the one to save Charles Wallace, and she does so using a unique combination of her head and heart: she figures out the riddle that love will be the thing that brings her brother back.
While some of the deeper themes might be difficult for elementary school age children to grasp, certainly they could understand the concepts that 1) girls can do everything boys can do, sometimes better; and 2) unconditional love, given and received freely, has unlimited power to transform even what appears to be the most hopeless situation. While many critics have discussed the clear Christian overtones of L'Engle's story and its parallels to God's unconditional love for us, I believe L'Engle took it one step further than Christian doctrine when she has Charles Wallace, Calvin and Meg identify the "others" in addition to Jesus who have provided "lights ... to see by" to the world. In this regard, Calvin specifically includes non-Christian leaders Gandhi (a Hindu) and Buddha, suggesting L'Engle's inclusion of other religious traditions in the fight against evil. I found this refreshing in the current climate of "us versus them" perpetuated by some in the Christian right, particularly in light of my own hodge-podge belief that Jesus died for all of us, but God was smart enough to know that billions of billions of us wouldn't buy the same story to get to Him, so we have other faith traditions enabling an understanding of the divine....less

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Jill rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

04/13/08

Read in April, 2008

This classic novel for middle graders begins on "a dark and stormy night." Meg Murry, her younger brother Charles Wallace, and her mother, a scientist, are in the kitchen having a midnight snack when a strange visitor shows up at their door. Soon after, this visitor, Mrs. Whatist, takes Meg, Charles Wallace, and their schoolmate, Calvin, on a dangerous journey to save Meg and Charles Wallace's father, a scientist who has been missing for over a year.

A Wrinkle in Time has been a fav...more This classic novel for middle graders begins on "a dark and stormy night." Meg Murry, her younger brother Charles Wallace, and her mother, a scientist, are in the kitchen having a midnight snack when a strange visitor shows up at their door. Soon after, this visitor, Mrs. Whatist, takes Meg, Charles Wallace, and their schoolmate, Calvin, on a dangerous journey to save Meg and Charles Wallace's father, a scientist who has been missing for over a year.

A Wrinkle in Time has been a favorite of children for many years. Because I never read it as a child, I'm not sure if my opinion about it would be different. For example, I recently reread The Chronicles of Narnia, a series that I read multiple times when I was a child. While I observed some shortcomings in the books and was bothered by the religious undertones I never seemed to notice when I was a child, I thoroughly enjoyed rereading them as an adult and getting reacquainted with familiar characters and plots.

Maybe I would have felt the same with A Wrinkle in Time. However, after reading it for the first time as an adult, it was just okay.

I loved the characters…kind hearted Meg, the exceptionally bright Charles Wallace, down-to-earth Calvin, and the quirky Mrs. Whatist. The plot full of magic, space travel, suspense and mystery is good enough to get a child hooked on sci-fi/fantasy. The dark and frightening climax when Meg is fighting "It", the disembodied brain, will keep kids on the edge of their seats, and I think many will be eager to read the other four novels in the quintet.

What bothered me though was the lack of detail I would have liked to have seen more of. I wanted to know more about Mrs. Whatist and company and more about Aunt Beast, the furry creature that saves Meg's life. I would have liked to have seen the aftermath of Meg's defeat of "It" on Camazotz. Were the people freed? Was "It" destroyed? Granted, this may be revealed in a later novel in the series, but I did wish that there was a little more background information.

The other thing I had a hard time getting past was L'Engle's religious messaging. I admit that I'm uber-sensitive about having religious messaging in children's books that aren't advertised as religious-themed books. I feel that it alienates children of different faiths and is unnecessary in mainstream stories like this, especially when it adds nothing to the storyline. This has been a contentious issue since the book's publication, and L'Engle herself has always claimed that she talks about faith, not religion. I remain skeptical about that.

But religion aside, I do think it's a book that many children will enjoy. Because there are some frightening situations, I do not recommend it as a read aloud to younger children. I think grades 5-7 would be the appropriate age range.
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Bryon rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

03/21/08

Read in April, 2005

I started reading "A Wrinkle In Time" when I was 8 or 10. I say started because I never finished it. I can't remember exactly why, but I think it kind of scared the crap out of me. Now, 15 or 17 years later, I've read it again (this time the whole thing) and there's really nothing scary at all about it. It's possible that, as a kid, I was somehow relating this book to the terribly scary Disney movie "Something Wicked This Way Comes". Again, I don't know why.

Whatever the r...more I started reading "A Wrinkle In Time" when I was 8 or 10. I say started because I never finished it. I can't remember exactly why, but I think it kind of scared the crap out of me. Now, 15 or 17 years later, I've read it again (this time the whole thing) and there's really nothing scary at all about it. It's possible that, as a kid, I was somehow relating this book to the terribly scary Disney movie "Something Wicked This Way Comes". Again, I don't know why.

Whatever the reason for my fears, the book is not spectacular. Maybe I can't see it now being older and not reading through the eyes of a child, but I can't understand how it won the John Newberry Medal. The witches were plastic and seemed to serve little purpose; the bad guy, a concept embodied in a shadow, had no motivation (if you want to read about true darkness for the sake of darkness/nothing for the sake of nothing, pick up Michael Ende's "The Neverending Story"); and the father, who seems to have no backbone and no sense of decency when it comes to saving his son. It has been said that the father character is an excellent tool in showing children that parents do not always have the answers, that they are, in fact, fallible and (God forbid) imperfect. But it's so much more than that. He comes across as weak, helpless, foolish, and even heartless at times. If you want to write a story where a child finds out that his/her parents aren't perfect, you don't have to make the parental figure a cold, bumbling idiot. Unless that's what you're going for. And I certainly don't think that L'Engle was. But all that aside, why would you even want to tell that story? Part of the beauty of being a child is you get to hold onto the illusion that mom and dad are Superman. Why ruin that? Granted, some kids live in terrible families, but there are better ways to write about those scenarios. This is not it.

I wanted to give this book 2 stars but decided that, because of my jaded, critical age I cannot judge too harshly. Plus, I did like the savant character of Charles Wallace. He was cute. As was the love that Meg and him shared. Calvin, on the other hand, was a complete throwaway character.

If I had kids, would I push this book on them? No. If they picked it off my bookshelf and started reading it, I wouldn't stop them. But I'm not about to recommend it to anyone young or old. Unless it's too ask that person to help me understand what the big deal is....less

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Morgan rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

03/18/08

bookshelves: magical-fiction

Read in March, 2008

recommended to Morgan by: Jenn Allen
recommends it for: kids

Call me crazy, but I just wasn't absolutely amazed by this book. I don't recall reading it as a kid, or if I did, I simply don't remember a thing about that experience. That being said, I think that maybe this is one of those books that you need to read when you're young to really appreciate. It's like when people watch 'The Princess Bride' for the first time when they're 25. It's not really that great for them. (That means my kids will definitely be reading these when they're young.)

An...more Call me crazy, but I just wasn't absolutely amazed by this book. I don't recall reading it as a kid, or if I did, I simply don't remember a thing about that experience. That being said, I think that maybe this is one of those books that you need to read when you're young to really appreciate. It's like when people watch 'The Princess Bride' for the first time when they're 25. It's not really that great for them. (That means my kids will definitely be reading these when they're young.)

Anyway, for those of you that don't know, 'A Wrinkle in Time' follows the Murray family. The main character, Meg, is a nerdy high schooler that doesn't exactely fit in. Her best friend in the world is her little 6 year old genius brother, Charles Wallace. Her parents are both scientist, and her father has been gone on business for years now...and his whereabouts are completly unknown. So, you can guess...Meg, Charles Wallace, and the most popular basketball star in school, the ever cool Calvin end up on a time-travelling, cosmo wandering adventure to save their dad.

Okay, so I didn't hate this book. I just didn't love it. I enjoyed most of the characters, but Meg really annoyed me. I'm pretty sure she's supposed to, and that it's an image of what we look like to Christ. Yikes, scary. I LOVED Charles Wallace. I love the settings. I loved the different planets and 'aliens' encountered. I loved how much emphasis she put on scripture and God being ultimate. That was wonderful. But here's the thing that really got me. Her writing style drove me bonkers. Was this translated from French? And everything was so anti-climactic. I mean, she's in the room, trying to save Charles Wallace and she realizes it's love that IT doesn't have, and never can. You'd think this would be a chance to really go into it, what love means, what love looks like, what kind of love Charles always showed Meg, and vice versa. But no. Meg just says, "Charles, I love you!" Over and over again, and suddenly, they're free. Seriously? Come on, drag it on a bit. That being said, I do like the stories, and have begun 'A Wind in the Door'. Thus far, I like the story line better then AWIT. We'll see! ...less

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furies rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

06/08/07

bookshelves: absolutely-must-read, childhood-favorites, good-more-than-once, would-rec, young-adult

Read in January, 1991

"it was a dark and stormy night . . ."

and so begins one of the best stories ever with one of the most improbably wonderful first lines. i read this first in fourth grade, at the pressure of my mother, who insisted i would love it despite the fact i was in a phase of "anything not based on history or about living in the woods/island/frozen tundra alone sucks!!" so it took me a while to pick it up. then i simply couldn't put it down. i have probably read this book upwards o...more

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Banzai rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

11/22/07

Read in November, 2007

recommends it for: children, middle schoolers, adults

This is a short, easy read that rates a 4.4 on the Flesch-Kincaid reading index (meaning that it requires a 4th-5th grade reading level). But that's based strictly on the sentence structure, vocabulary, paragraph size, etc.

What the stats don't cover is the depth of feeling and the profound scope and meaning in this book. Madeleine L'Engle's sentences may be rather simple but her notions of good, evil, love, and devotion are taken to a cosmic level (literally). This isn't mere sci-fi or fanta...more

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Nikki Faith rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

07/03/08

Read in July, 2008

Wow - I don't know how I managed to not read this wonderful piece of literature as a child. It was one of my sister's favorite books, and I vividly remember where it sat in her room year after year as she continually re-read it. Nevertheless, I finally read it this week. Actually, I listened to the audio CD. The best part - it was narrated by the author herself!!
I don't even know where to begin. I'm so excited, as I just finished it. I loved every bit of it. The story was incredible and the la...more Wow - I don't know how I managed to not read this wonderful piece of literature as a child. It was one of my sister's favorite books, and I vividly remember where it sat in her room year after year as she continually re-read it. Nevertheless, I finally read it this week. Actually, I listened to the audio CD. The best part - it was narrated by the author herself!!
I don't even know where to begin. I'm so excited, as I just finished it. I loved every bit of it. The story was incredible and the language was just beautiful! The whimsical thrill of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which immediately told me I would love the novel. It tickled me to pieces as reference to other literature continue to weave in and out of the text. The characters were real, inspirational, and relatable. The religious elements were intertwined beautifully - it was simply accepted that there was a God, with no explanation of what religion was being discussed and no need of it. I loved the cosmological structure. I was delighted when Jesus was the first hero of men that Calvin named.
There were so many fabulous life lessons and wisdom intertwined, that I am already eager to do a second read!! The scholar in me wants to delve into this world and start writing about it and reading more about it. I just don't know when I'll have the time.
Before reading the novel, I was aware that Madeleine L'Engle wrote many other novels, but I didn't realize that this particular novel was a part of a series!! I must immediately read the rest. Unfortunately, this first installment is the only one that's available on audio. It's easier for me to listen to books on my commute than to find time at home to read. Nonetheless, I am excited to continue on in this wonderful world that L'Engle created.

"The things which are not seen are eternal."

"There will no longer be pleasant things to look at if responsible people do not take care of the unpleasant things."

"We cannot take credit for our talents, only what we choose to do with them."...less

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Vicki rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

07/11/07

L’Engle, Madeleine,1962. A Wrinkle in Time. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

The children of scientists, Meg and Charles Wallace Murry are both extraordinarily intelligent and unique. Four-year-old Charles Wallace, who lets people continue to think he’s a moron because it “gives people something to feel smug about” and sees no reason to disillusion them, has the special ability of being able to communicate with others without hearing them speak. Meg, a math wiz who is frequently getting in...more

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Sara rated it:

(review of isbn 0312367546)

05/27/07

the book that first inspired me to tentatively pick up my pencil and my marbled black-and-white composition notebook (remember those?) and write (in 4th grade). the influence l'engle herself and her work have had on my life cannot be understated. i met her many many years later, during college, when she was well into her 80s, but she was exactly as i pictured her-- spirited, engaging, challenging. when i (very nervously and shyly) told her that she gave me my first inspiration to write, she l...more

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mrjoro rated it:

(review of isbn 0312367546)

09/30/07

Read in September, 2007

I'd first read A Wrinkle in Time back in elementary school and immediately fell in love with it. As time went on I forgot most of the details of the story, remembering only the pun of the Happy Medium and Charles Wallace's name (who lent his name to our dog Wally due to a wrinkle in Wally's ear).

The confluence of Madeline L'Engle's recent death and a gift certificate from my sister led me to pick up the b...more

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John rated it:

02/19/08

bookshelves: fantasy, young-adult

Read in February, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Last week I came across this book in the library as I wandered into the juvenile section in search of the Narnia books. I read it when I was in middle school, and so I thought it would be interesting to pick up and read again.
As it was written for a younger audience, this book was a very quick read.

Now that I've read it again, I'm not sure how this book won the Newbery Award. Does including some scriptural references and having an overall message of love make a book worthy of the award? ...more

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Khalid rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

06/22/07

bookshelves: already-read

Read in May, 2005

A Wrinkle in Time is a children's fantasy novel with a significant element of science fiction; its thoughtful ideas, intriguing plot and amusing conversation style make it enjoyable to read; yet, it often borders on being overdone.

The novel tells us about Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin, and there travel in the universe in order to rescue Meg and Charles Wallace's father. Just like every rescue novel, this was not exactly easy.

The novel was generally good; however, it had some p...more

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Holly rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

04/25/08

bookshelves: gifted-class-reads

Read in January, 1991

The children of scientists, Meg and Charles Wallace Murry are both extraordinarily intelligent and unique. Four-year-old Charles Wallace, who lets people continue to think he’s a moron because it “gives people something to feel smug about” and sees no reason to disillusion them, has the special ability of being able to communicate with others without hearing them speak. Meg, a math wiz who is frequently getting into fights with other children at school, spends most of her time thinking abo...more

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Tracey rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

09/09/07

Read in January, 2004

recommends it for: those looking for an imaginative adventure with a little philosophy thrown in for good measure

I was given a hardcopy of A Wrinkle In Time by my aunt, probably around 1979, as that's the date of the cover illustration (which I like much better than the one Amazon is currently showing!) It became one of my favorite books, as I identified very much with Meg Murry.

Meg is a smart, rebellious teenage who doesn't fit in at school, mostly because of her family. Her mother is a beautiful scientist, her younger brother is commonly seen a...more

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Tiphany rated it:

(review of isbn 0440498058)

01/31/08

Read in January, 1992

recommends it for: Those who banned "The Golden Compass" from their homes. Because they're idiots.

There was once a television commercial for the band Ben Fold's Five. It was simple -- just images from their video for the song "Brick" cut with black tiles. It began with the words, "Have you ever had a crush...on a song?"

I remember feeling very jaded and cynical, and because I was 14, very proud of my jaded cynicism, but that commercial made me have a crush on that song.

I'm mentioning all this because this is how Madeleine L'Engle has made me feel since 19...more

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Jessica rated it: