[April] A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle - Part 3 - (Spoilers)

[Katie]

Part 3 Questions

Section of book: Chapters 7-12

Notes:
- Each member is asked to end with a question for the next member.
- If the person above you forgets to pose a question then just pick a different one from above (make sure you indicate which one you're answering!)
- If some other question from above moves you then feel free to answer as many as you want. It is a discussion after all!


1. What did you think of the book? Did you have a favorite part?
2. Madeleine L'Engle said she had trouble getting the book published because people said it was too difficult for children. Do you agree? L'Engle's response was: "The problem is it's not too difficult for kids; it's too difficult for grown-ups." What do you think of this response?
3. This book has been banned & challenged. What do you think people object to?
4. Do you plan to continue reading the series?
5. Answer the question posed by the person above you!

[Rachel]

1. What did you think of the book? Did you have a favorite part?
I liked the book more than I thought I would, but I wasn't blown away by it either. I've tried to read this book at least once or twice before, but I've never been able to remember if I'd finished it. I remembered next to nothing from the first half, but there were small moments later on that I did remember. Probably what happened is I read the book but understood very little of it the first time I tried. So going into it, I wasn't expecting much. I liked it, but still found it pretty confusing!

My favourite part was probably when Meg, Calvin and Charles reached the city where everything was perfectly synchronized because it was just such a creepy image. That was one of the few scenes from the book that I actually seemed to remember reading, and it was a very interesting twist on Meg's view that she needs to be like everyone else to fit in -- but taken to an extreme!

2. Madeleine L'Engle said she had trouble getting the book published because people said it was too difficult for children. Do you agree? L'Engle's response was: "The problem is it's not too difficult for kids; it's too difficult for grown-ups." What do you think of this response?
I think it might be too difficult for children. I definitely didn't understand it when I read it as a child, and I was generally well above grade level as a reader through school. There is a lot in here that I think might be difficult for children -- not even the scientific concepts, since those are explained at a simplified enough level, but the way the story kind of jumps around. Even now, reading it as an adult, I got confused and found parts hard to follow.

I think L'Engle's response is interesting, but I'm not quite sure why this book would be too difficult for grown-ups. I would assume she meant it would be hard for adults to accept the messages it tries to pass on to kids, but I'm not really seeing why.

3. This book has been banned & challenged. What do you think people object to?
Honestly, people could object to so many things here. They might object to the science/idea of time travel, they probably did object to the aliens and other planets, or because characters were referred to as "witches" at one point.

4. Do you plan to continue reading the series?
I'm on the fence. I probably will get to it at some point, but it's very low on my priority list. The second book in the series looks mildly interesting, but the others don't appeal to me much. I didn't love this book enough that I'm super motivated to pick up the next one.

5. Still seem to be the only one reading this so far, lol! Anyway, my question is -- Were you satisfied with the IT storyline in general? Was there anything you wanted more information about?

[Joan]

1. What did you think of the book? Did you have a favorite part?
It was one of those books I always thought I should have read. After finally reading it, I'd have to say I wasn't all that impressed. I found Meg kind of whiny. No I didn't have a favorite part.
2. Madeleine L'Engle said she had trouble getting the book published because people said it was too difficult for children. Do you agree? L'Engle's response was: "The problem is it's not too difficult for kids; it's too difficult for grown-ups." What do you think of this response?
I think it would be difficult for any kid under 12. I guess her response means that it is harder for grown ups to let go of their anger and love again.
3. This book has been banned & challenged. What do you think people object to?
So many books are banned ridiculously. Right now there is a controversy about 13 Reasons Why. I understand if your child might be more sensitive to prevent them from reading a book. I don't have difficult children so it isn't an issue for me. I find that if they read something controversial it opens up the door for us to have a discussion. This book might have been banned for religious undertones or the combining of witches and religion. Who knows?
4. Do you plan to continue reading the series?
At this point I'm not interested and I guess I didn't realize it was a series.
5. Answer the question posed by the person above you!
No I wasn't completely satisfied with the storyline. I thought the IT concept might have been a little too vague. I would've liked more information on it their Dad lost any time to the time travel. For instance did he feel it was a short amount of time that he was gone compared to the actual length of time that he was gone?

What did you think of the ending? Do you think it wrapped up too easily?

[Michelle]

1. What did you think of the book? Did you have a favorite part?
I was so excited to read this book, but it was just ok for me. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it better as a child. I thought the storyline was interesting. I just didn't like the characters, especially the protagonist.

2. Madeleine L'Engle said she had trouble getting the book published because people said it was too difficult for children. Do you agree? L'Engle's response was: "The problem is it's not too difficult for kids; it's too difficult for grown-ups." What do you think of this response?
I'm not sure if I would say it's too difficult for grown-ups, but as I said I think I would have enjoyed it more reading this as a child so that's probably part of the reason.

3. This book has been banned & challenged. What do you think people object to?
Perhaps for the religious parts of it? Or the witches? I'm not sure. Books get banned and challenged for all sorts of reasons nowadays.

4. Do you plan to continue reading the series?
I don't think so.

5. What did you think of the ending? Do you think it wrapped up too easily?
I wish there was more substance to the ending. It didn't make sense why Meg had to go save Charles Wallace all on her own. I liked that her weapon was love though. It didn't all wrap up at the end though because there is still the darkness that needs to be fought. However, that's probably what the rest of the books in the series will focus on.

Who was your favorite character in the book and why?

[Veronica]

1. What did you think of the book? Did you have a favorite part?
The beginning was slow but the second half of the book picked up once the action. I don't have a favorite part.
2. Madeleine L'Engle said she had trouble getting the book published because people said it was too difficult for children. Do you agree? L'Engle's response was: "The problem is it's not too difficult for kids; it's too difficult for grown-ups." What do you think of this response?
I dont think it is a difficult book. I think publishers were a bit leery due to the religious aspect and thought it was too risky.
3. This book has been banned & challenged. What do you think people object to?
I think they object to rhe religious rones, although tons of books have some element of religion in them.
4. Do you plan to continue reading the series?
I was told the second book is better so i may give that one a try at some point.
5. Who was your favorite character in the book and why?
I'm not sure i have a favorite but i would say i did enjoy Mrs Whatsit and her quotes.

What do you think about Meg's weapon?