its great

I didn’t read this book as a kid and only read it now in my 50s. I have no idea why this book is such a cherished book. I found the christian undertones insufferable, the story flat and simple. I’m clearly missing something here.

Reread this book with one of my children. Brought back memories from childhood. I remember being enthralled by the book as a child. Rereading it as an adult, with a more critical eye, was fun. I think the ending resolved so quickly and simply. It is this part of the book that could be improved. It seemed a bit as if Ms. L'Engle was rushing to finish the book, rather than resolving it. Some of the threads of the story were left unanswered, which allows for sequels, I guess. My son really enjoyed it nevertheless.

A Wrinkle in Time tells the story of a high-school aged girl, Meg Murry, who goes through a treacherous adventure through space and time with Calvin, her friend, and Charles, her brother, to rescue their long missing father who is held captive on another planet. On one stormy night, a woman, Mrs. Whatsit, arrives at Meg’s house and she introduces them to Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, who then explain to them that their entire universe is being threatened. Then, they must go to Camazotz, an evil planet, where Meg’s father is imprisoned. Throughout this novel, the entire group goes through various obstacles and are truly challenged to persevere at every stop. Meg must stay strong in order to save her father, or else, he may be gone forever.
This novel is one that I really enjoyed reading and analyzing because of a mixture of drama and educational lessons. Personally, this book was great to analyze different literary devices such as personification. I really enjoyed how Madeleine L’Engle portrays Meg, the protagonist, as it motivates the younger audiences in positive ways. I would recommend this book to any elementary or junior high school student because it was such an enjoyable read.
Age Rating: 9+

Recommended per Ken Haylock via Trivia Mafia conversation

Age 9+

A Wrinkle in Time is amazing. The complexity kept me in awe, on edge, and turning the pages. Very well written.

A Wrinkle in Time
The book A Wrinkle in Time by Katherine Olney is a fantasy novel about kids that set off to find their father who is trapped in an alternate dimension. One day a mysterious old lady appears at their doorstep and it turns out that the youngest son already knows her. The incredible journey begins from there. This book is very well written and filled with many scientific elements as well. The only thing I disliked about this book is the parts toward the ending. I feel like the book was at a good pace but then it started moving very quickly towards the end. I would also not recommend this book for children under 10 due to scientific words. Overall, this is a very captivating book and is good for a casual read.

I appreciate this book as a classic work for younger readers; this has the hallmarks of timeless fiction meant for such an audience - namely, it's a quick read with a quick plot (for instance, REVEL in how instantaneous Calvin's obvious love for Meg is!) and a HELL of a quick ending that almost left me reeling amidst what felt much like a saccharine whirlwind and then DONE.

Things I noticed this go-around, all that being said: what an interplay between faith and science, and thinking and feeling that happens in this work, and how obvious these two themes are as they work together to propel the plot and the children onward. On one hand, we have inter-dimensional travel, aliens and talk of higher and lower dimensions; on the other, very obviously Christian-themed quotes are sprinkled in particularly as our vulnerable human Meg struggles with her own furious immaturity and the fact that She Has To Go Do the Things (aka grow up.)

So there's that, and again with the pair of hands, one being Camatzotz and its rigidity of thought/being, and then there's that planet Aunt Beast dwells on, where the creatures can't see but sense, and care. It all seems so obvious looking at it, now. But it wouldn't necessarily be, for younger folks who learn by witnessing those like them be strong where they need to be in a tough, confusing world. And I appreciate that all the more these days. I just happen to have more patience than certain plot points provide for, and that's okay.

TLDR: It's a typical teen novel that's written very concisely, and well. Within it are all sorts of things going on that my now-adult brain latches onto, and finds enriching, particularly knowing how long ago this book was written. I think that speaks, ultimately, to the timelessness of A Wrinkle in Time.

This book is amazing. Everyone and everybody should read this super good book. Seriously.