Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle


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Author: Madeleine L’Engle

Name of the book: A Wrinkle in Time

Language: English

Genre: Young Adult, Science fantasy


About the Author

Madeleine L’Engle Camp 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.


Book Review

I’m sure most of you know by now that a classic book, A Wrinkle in Time, has been made into a movie, which is currently gracing our screens.

This new movie edition of the book features a movie-inspired cover, an introduction by the director of the movie, Ava DuVernay, and a fascinating Afterward by Charlotte Jones Voiklis, the granddaughter of Madeliene L’Engle.

However, this review is about the book. The one that has been loved by generations of children since its publication in 1962. The book was a trailblazer in science fiction and that tackled the big questions of science and spirituality in a way no one had dared do before.

This is the story of 12-year-old Meg, who must go on an unusual and fantastical adventure to save her father. Things are not going well for Meg. She is smart, just not in the way school appreciates. She can give them the answer to a maths question, but she can’t figure out the processes she is supposed to go through to get there.

Then there is the teasing. Kids can be mean. Especially when your father has mysteriously disappeared and people think your beloved little brother, Charles Wallace, is stupid.

The only person who understands her is Charles Wallace. Although he doesn’t talk in front of many other people, he somehow understands things that others don’t. He knows when she needs him and he knows what needs to be done.

One dark and stormy night, a stranger arrives at their house. Everyone, except Charles Wallace, is astonished at the arrival of the very unusual Mrs. Whatsit.

What follows is an amazing adventure, in which Meg, Charles Wallace, and their new friend Calvin, must journey through time and space with Mrs. Whatsit and her companions, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, in order to try and save Meg and Charles Wallace’s father.

Their landing on the disturbing planet of Camazotz, where everyone is controlled by IT, has some parallels with Orwell’s 1984. It is a totalitarian dystopia where a central body is dictating everyone’s thoughts and actions. Through the journey, Meg must learn to embrace her faults to confront the darkness if she wants to save her father and make it home again.

Reading this book now, I am struck by how modern it is. The language is not out of date or old-fashioned and the science fiction elements have not been superseded by modern technological concepts. It could just as easily be a new release, donning our shelves for the first time.

Meg is a character modern children can relate to. Different, awkward, and loyal to her family, she is likable and real.

Can you believe that this book was rejected by many publishers in its time as they didn’t know how to categorize it? It was only by chance that the book was published, and it went on to win the Newbery Medal and has never been out of print since.

This longstanding classic of children’s literature has stood the test of time and continues to enrapture audiences as well as it did 60 years ago. My advice, read the book first. Then, if you love it, see the film.

My Ratings for this book- 4/5

You can easily order a copy of it from Amazon – A Wrinkle in Time


Written By - Violet Priscilla S

Edited By - Anamika Malik