The Sphinx at Dawn: Two Stories

by Madeleine L'Engle

The bestselling author of A Wrinkle in Time takes a fantastical look at the childhood of Jesus in two allegories set in an Egyptian village.

In “Pakko’s Camel,” Yehoshuah, the poor son of a carpenter, befriends Pakko, the arrogant son of a rich merchant. Yehoshuah cares for of Pakko’s camel and shares with him the knowledge of the precious gifts he received from three wise men. But when Yehoshuah’s treasures are taken, he quickly learns that all gifts have a price.
 
In “The Sphinx at Dawn,” Yehoshuah and his camel journey into the desert, where they come across the monstrous, hungry Sphinx. Intrigued and unafraid, Yehoshuah endeavors to answer the Sphinx’s riddles—and in doing so, he begins the real journey of a man with an incredible destiny.
 
Known for both her literary accomplishments as a winner of the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, and her spiritual outlook, Madeleine L’Engle presents two affecting and inspiring tales for readers of any age.
 
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Madeleine L’Engle including rare images from the author’s estate.
 

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Religion, Childrens, Young Adult

58 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2017

About the author

Madeleine L'Engle was an American writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels: A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Her works reflect both her Christian faith and her strong interest in modern science.

Reviews

[Amanda B · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend to all. This was so so good!

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these stories. Short but sweet, featuring L'Engle's trademark off-center take on Biblical motifs and characters. The sphinx's blasé attitude gives me life. Between the atmosphere and the bright, engaging dialogue, I kept imagining how great these would be as artsy animated shorts.

[Lauren Blankenship · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read all of the books in both the Time Quintet and the Polly O'Keefe Quartet, I have always considered Madeline L'Engle one of my favorite authors. Being short stories, obviously there is not as thought provoking conversation and adventure, but I wanted to read some of L'Engle's older, less known works and complete my collection as much as possible. That said, I wouldn't recommend this to someone unless they were a L'Engle follower/lover. It was a nice, short read, but not something I'd read over and over like I have her other books.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for book club; we’re coming toward the end of L'Engle's oeuvre and this was one we hadn’t discovered until now. Two short stories of Jesus, although that’s never overtly stated, as a child in Egypt, with a broken down camel prominently featured in each story. The first story, revolving around what are the gifts of the Magi, seems pretty straightforward, while the second one about the Sphinx is inscrutably sphinx-like. There are some brilliant nuggets in each story, but as is almost always the case for me with short stories, I was left wanting more.

[Glenn Younger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not striking

Ever since I read a Tesseract in Time as a teenager, I’ve been an avid fan of Madeleine L’Engle. These two short stories, however, don’t hold a candle to her other longer stories. They’re interesting, but not striking.

The first story is better in that there was a moral to the story . The second one feels more like a short chapter in a longer book that doesn’t make sense without a framework around it.

Still, if you’re an avid Madeleine L’Engle fan, you won’t want to leave any of her words unread, would you?

[Kyra Dawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved anything and everything written by Madeleine L'Engle that I have read so far and these two short stories are no exception. I love the simplicity and rhythm of the prose, the contemplative ease of the dialogue. Inevitably, I'll reread these stories and many of my other L'Engle favorites again soon.

[Emily Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, and the production was just OK. I actually plan to read this again in print. I loved the dynamic created between Jesus and Joseph and the idea of Jesus having a connection with animals. The kindness you see in Him rings so true. A fascinating concept that is carried out well.

[Heather Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down. As a lifelong L’Engle fan, I was intrigued when I came across two short stories. They were just what I expected: imaginative, different, and just the change of pace I needed for an hour. Also, I listened to these on audio and it was great to hear her voice narrating these tales.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of short stories by Madeline L'Engle about the life of the boy Jesus while living as a refugee in Egypt. Interesting and pleasant, but I would not call it remarkable. Nice short read between Christmas and Epiphany.

[Donna B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these stories. Happened to have read them right after another piece of melodramatic biblical fiction, so I found her interpretive style very refreshing. She is not afraid to veer off from predictable patterns. Creative and appealing!

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Spirtual Mento

Madeline L'Engle has influenced my life since I first read her work as a child. These two stories speak to her beautiful writing as well as her deep thoughtfulness.

[Sue Mullinax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sets a mood

I was amazed at L’Engle’s descriptive power to create a sublimely beautiful mood and to create characters of comedy and stinkers. She is never stilted, just wise. It was too short.

[Cassia]

Narration was slightly annoying in this short-story audio, but the stories themselves are simply enchanting. If you were ever curious about Jesus, but could not stomach or bide by the old crusty way of thinking about him (note, I do not see, hear, or believe that he himself or his stories are old and crusty, but the method in presenting them often are), then these stories may crack the door open to the wonderment that he brings by being who he is.
L'Engle opens her Christian imagination to her readers unapologetically, and uses children's stories to broaden our appetite for all the foods at the feasting table of Christ.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting stories. I enjoyed that they were set in Egypt. The title story was my favorite between the two stories.

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never been real big on the whole fables thing, didn't really care for these stories all that much, though I can see where others would enjoy them emmensely, just not my kind of thing.

[Janet Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a two short story book that was fine

[Tommy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two stories, first one I liked while the second one not so much, depicting possible christian lore outside the Bible.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
The mythical/magical stories are intriguing and entirely too short. Interesting to think about how Christ would have been as a child.

[Joe Avallone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two beautiful allegories of Jesus’ childhood. Very memorable and done in true L’Engle fashion!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, short read. The stories are tales set during the childhood of Jesus while living in Egypt. What takes place echoes what will happen later in Jesus’ life. Enjoyable.

[Charlotte Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book with two short stories. A gem, especially to read at Christmas time. Bonus, on audible it is read by the author. I loved it!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever short stories in true Madeleine L’Engle style! I enjoyed this title as an enjoyable short read between other longer and more involved books. Creative and intriguing!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and insightful tale of the boy Jesus in Egypt.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thoughtful stories/

[Ann Bradley M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but PROFOUND. Love it

[Adam Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short review: These are two short stories, about 50 pages total, looking at Jesus as a boy in Egypt. Jesus seems to be about 10-12 in the stories. The stories are fine. Interesting, but not anything particularly incredible. One is about Jesus and a local wealthy boy. The boy is not well liked and a bit cruel, but Jesus befriends him and they play. The boy returns Jesus' kindness by stealing from him.

The second story is about Jesus riding a camel in the desert and coming upon the Sphinx, who asks Jesus riddles.

My very slightly longer review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-sphinx-at-dawn/

[Dana Veron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Madeleine L'Engle, but was less impressed with these short stories. I felt they were very predictable, unlike some of her other work.

[Evan Halvorson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It held a large amount of nostalgic sway for me.

[Roben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written but I kept waiting for something to happen.