Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quintet) [Paperback]

It has science-fiction; The Drs. Murray, parents of Meg, Charles Wallace and the twins) are scientists who are researching Time and Space. Dr. Murray takes a time trip and so do the kids.

There is also magic; a trio of "witches" shows up--Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, and they take Meg, her brother Charles-Wallace, and their new friend Calvin on an epic adventure.

It's also the story of a family with a deep trouble who nonetheless stay together, the story of a young girl who is just coming into adolescence with all the awkwardness and confusing feelings, and the story of a special little boy who is thought to be retarded by townspeople.

The symbology L'Engel uses is powerful and original; a giant brain who seduces those around it into surrendering their free will as an ultimate dictator; a shadow-like smog around planets that represents the presence of Evil, and a special young boy who is more than a genius; who is "something new" who nonetheless can be tempted to his own destruction by vanity.

Wrinkle in Time has a lot of fertile subjects for discussions between parents and children about good, evil, how we treat each other, and the choices we make. Ms. L'Engel often uses moral themes in her books and this one contains excellent subjects for discussions about kindness, good, evil, God, and being different, and about the destructiveness of gossip.

Wrinke in Time is like the Potter books in that it is about boys and girls in a magical or fantasy setting. It is unlike the Potter books because it does not focus on wizardry as a craft. Instead it presents the universe as full of wonder, and united by a titanic struggle of Good against Evil. Like the Potter books, there are sequels to Wrinkle in Time, and the story of the Murray kids continues. This was hands-down my favorite book as a child. I still have my copy almost 40 years later.

Both Meg and Charles Wallace are endearing multi-faceted characters. I especially like the fact they are considered to be below normal intelligence by the educational system, yet undoubtedly have much higher IQs than their teachers. Both show the rare insight and depth of understanding granted to few ... and recognised by even fewer. This is a wonderfully empowering message to young readers who are made to feel less than adequate at school. The writing style has a clarity and simplicity that makes it a pleasure to read. Recommended for readers aged 8 - 11.

For Meg Murry, these questions have critical import. As an adolescent who is always getting in trouble at school, both academically and behaviorally, she finds the ease with which her twin brothers manage to fit into society almost criminal, and her four-year old genius brother Charles just as impossible for not trying to correct the general impression of him as being a dolt. Worse, the gossip about her father, who has been missing for almost a year, makes her fly into a rage, as he is the person she looks to as able to fix all wrongs.

It is from this position that we start this wild adventure, a trip that will take Meg and Charles to several planets and multiple dimensions in search of their father, and will involve them in a fight with a truly evil entity, an entity that insists that the universe will run much better if only every intelligent being will think and act the same. Shepherded by Mrs. Which, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Whatsit, who provide the means of travel and some important advice, the trip is a voyage of self-discovery, of learning the whys and wherefores of the world, of what is possible and impossible.

The themes L'Engle tackles in this book are as old as man: just what are good and evil, self-determination versus authoritarian dictates, what higher powers exist and what role do they play in shaping one's life, when should one bend to the dictates of custom and society and when should such be ignored, when must one depend on one's own abilities and not look for help from others. These themes are not baldly presented, but grow out of the story and her characters, and younger readers probably will not be too aware of them. At the same time, there is a certain amount of cuteness to the story and characters, which adults may find a little annoying, but is certainly appropriate to the intended reader age.

The conclusion of this book felt a little rushed, and the method of victory seemed far too simple, given the depth of theme that is buried in these pages. Perhaps that can be forgiven in a book that has several sequels, where these rough edges can be smoothed out. As an inventive, engaging book for young readers, this book is a winner, and still can be enjoyed by the adult reader.

--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)