this was the first book i read growing up that explored sex, sexual orientation, sexual abuse, and death. and it does all of the above very well.

i think that parts of the book were edited to be vague (due to when it was published), because when i read it growing up i DEFINITELY missed the fact that max's dad was sexually abusive, and i also didn't really understand that she had attempted to touch polly sexually. (i was probably 11 at first read). from what i've read of l'engle, she was always pushing the edge of acceptable YA publishing. i don't think she would have been so vague intentionally.

also, i still flash back to that sex scene. polly's nipples rising.

but all lit-porn perks aside, i think it's a great book. it was really helpful for me to read as a burgeoning gay.