 "ok as an introduction for kids to sci-fi and fantasy" | 2008-12-20 |
| - Reviewed By noxush |
''A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle tells the story of Meg Murray, a sullen adolescent, who with her very precocious younger brother is trying to find their father, missing while on a secret government mission. They are aided in their quest by three alien beings: Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which. With their help Meg and her brother travel throughout the galaxy, learn what has happened to their father and confront a monstrous evil.
'A Wrinkle in Time' reminded me a lot of what would happen if CS Lewis had written his 'Space Trilogy' for children. However L'Engle is not as good a writer as Lewis, and the plot is a little bit of a mess. Like Lewis's Narnian Chronicles there is a Christian theme to this book, but it is much more overt. Written in the late fifties the book describes the battle between good and evil. Evil is represented by the planet of Camazotz, which is obviously meant to evoke an authoritarian communist society. Subtlety is not L'Engle's strong suit, although to be fair it is a kid's book. The theme of the value of the individual and freedom is a worthy one in my opinion and kids will enjoy the story without noticing any of the problems that bothered me. It is a good book to introduce them to fantasy and science fiction, especially for young girls, as Meg is an admirable heroine. |
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 "The battle between good and evil." | 2008-05-30 |
| - Reviewed By resqgeek |
I have often heard people comment about how good this book is, but I've never taken the time to read it before now. I can't say that I was mislead. This is a highly imaginative tale of good vs. evil, told from the point of view of young Meg Murry. Meg is smart but rebellious, fiercely protective of her unusual family. She and her brother, Charles Wallace, are about to go on a journey through space and time to find their long absent father, and in the process, confront an evil so powerful that it threatens to engulf them all.
Written with vivid imagery, this story is a fantasy wrapped inside some of the conventional trappings of science-fiction. Along the way, we consider the nature of evil, how it robs people of their individuality and choice. In the end, discovering the one thing evil can't do will be the key to Meg's victory. |
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 "Not a Fighter" | 2008-03-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: A33A08I6CUO9T1 |
| I re-read this book from my childhood and I'm very disappointed with particular messages Madeleine presents to children. I think enough has been said about stars (angels?) being conceived as witches to "play a joke" on everyone and the centaur appearance of the other "angels". No matter what the rest of the story conveys, I am completely revulsed by the notion she presents that Jesus was a fighter. He is not a fighter, but represents peace & love spreading the word of the Father on this earth for all to follow. Also, Jesus has already won the battle for us. All of these ignorant statements in this book by Madeleine need to be pulled before I will even think about looking at this book or sharing it with others. |
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 "Review by Author of Everyday Miracles" | 2007-08-27 |
| - Reviewed By margegls45 |
An excellent read. It is appropriate for the whole family.Exciting though bewildering at times, it reveals the author's keen imagination for detail and flair. She brought her characters and places to life with a skillful maneuver achieved by few writers.I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Another great read is Everyday Miracles.
Everyday Miracles: Stories That Touch Your Heart
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| "A great classic" | 2007-08-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: A6L758QNLPBFY |
| My 9 year old daughter enjoyed this as much today as I did 30 years ago. A timeless classic, adventure, freindship, and enough novelty (concept of 4th dimension and time travel presented in an understandable way) to make a child think. |
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| "On Understanding Differences" | 2007-08-10 |
| - Reviewed By johnhuetteman |
A Wrinkle in Time
This is a science fiction/fantasy youth book that helps people in this age group that may not necessarily fit in with American mainstream to understand and feel comfortable with their identities. It gives a true reason to believe in one's individualism as well as on understanding differences.
The story is fantastic and includes principles of mathematics and science although is a science fiction and fantasy book, but portrays adventure in a "Harry Potter" type of way even though it very much pre-dates the series.
An excellent book that could animate the "loner" type of introverted youth. |
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| "A WRINKLE IN TIME is a timeless classic" | 2007-08-07 |
| - Reviewed By mwbookrevw |
| A strange visitor comes to the Murry house and spirits Meg, her genius younger brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin on a dangerous inter-dimensional journey to fight an evil that has involved the entire universe in struggle in Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. Involved is not only Earth's freedom but Meg's ultimate relationships with her father and younger brother - and her own ability to accept herself and her underlying talents. A WRINKLE IN TIME is a timeless classic: its appearance in paperback promises new audiences excitement. |
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| "Outclassed and outdated" | 2007-08-04 |
| - Reviewed By mynah5 |
| After reading some of the reviews here, I think I might have liked this book when I was a kid, because I liked "The Chronicles of Narnia". But that was rather a long time ago. Not only have I grown older, but children's books these days, at least the front line, have become much better. Anyway, I tried L'engle because she was recommended as similar to Connie Willis, and of course, Rowling. But I could not stand this book, after two tries - I will not finish it, and I finish nearly every book. For one thing, the author is not as intelligent as her characters are supposed to be. They are a lot of mistakes about languages, math and science, big words used incorrectly. For another, what's the point of having a four-year-old talking like a grown-up if he doesn't have a young child's point of view? Even if she says he acts "like any little boy", this is never interesting or convincing. Boys are always "reassuring" to Meg, the witches act as though a billion years were no different from three. I mean, a consciousness that old would have things to say that this author is not capable of imagining. One good thing was that it helped me appreciate why Rowling is really good. For instance, Rowling knows her Latin and uses no science or psychology she is not up to. Sombody please recommend something better! |
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| "Over-rated" | 2007-07-22 |
| - Reviewed By stock24 |
This is the type of book that I usually love and I had high hopes for it after the first few pages. Unfortunately, it never fulfilled its promise. The characters do not develop. They emerge fully developed as you first meet them and do not grow or change. There is a great deal of dialogue that is repetitive and, ultimately, tedious. The book does not truly explore the issues it is concerned with, instead the ideas whirl around aimlessly. I believe in the transforming power of faith and love, but this book leaves me unconvinced that this power exists. There is minimal action, which would be fine if there were character or thematic development.
Try Diana Wynne Jones instead. She almost always does this much better.
Or try Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series (The Wee Free Men starts the series) for a humorous take on some similar issues regarding a young woman finding her place in the world. |
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| "Excellent condition and received on time" | 2007-07-22 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2QJOL47HDWYJ |
| I received this book in the condition outlined in the sellers description and I received my book when expected. |
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