Sad News
Unfortunately, the world lost one of it’s greatest literary lights on Thursday. The great Madeleine L’Engle passed away at the age of 88. She died of natural causes. Ms. L’Engle wrote over 60 books both fiction and autobiographical.
Although she had already published a number of works, in 1962 she released what is probably her most well known work, “A Wrinkle in Time“. My fourth grade teacher introduced this work to me in the 70s. I was instantly captivated by the unique and original imagery. Once my teacher had finished with it, I made my mother bring me to the library and took out the well worn copy they had there. A read it numerous times over the three weeks I was allowed to borrow it. Later on I discovered the follow-up “A Wind in the Door” and eventually, when looking through a bookstore I came across the newly released “A Swiftly Tilting Planet“.
At this point, I must confess that these are the only three books by Ms. L’Engle that I’ve read so far. Still, meeting Meg, Charles (with whom I identified), Calvin, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Witch was pure delight. It took a number of re-readings over a number of years to realize what a masterpiece I had in my hands. Here we have a tale of science fiction written to look like magic, but we know everything has an explanation underneath. Through it all is woven a subtle spirituality. It’s not forced and it certainly doesn’t try to clobber you over the head. Even today it seems fresh and ahead of its time.
My favorite book was actually the second of the series. “A Wind in the Door” is less fantastic and more scientific that its predecessor. With over a decade between the two, Ms. L’Engle had grown as a writer. The tale is darker and evil is less obvious that in Wrinkle. There is no “IT”. There are a collection of beings that simply wish to wipe us all out and they are doing it from within Charles Wallace Murry. To demonstrate how everything is relative, the battle to save everything takes place inside a single cell.
Ms. L’Engle was thought to be working on one final book to end her “kairos” story line. Unfortunately we will never read it. Rest In Peace, Ms. L’Engle, knowing the world is brighter for your time here.