A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Title: A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
ISBN: 0-312-36754-6
245 pages
Square Fish, 2007 edition

A very popular book for children and, again, one that I remember reading 'A Wrinkle in Time' was one of the first science fiction books I read (and even though I liked it, my love of sci-fi would not be sparked until later in my life). I vividly remember going to see a Seattle Children's Theater production based on the play, which had really cool, rolling sets that reversed themselves 180 degrees to be Meg's house or the different planets or dimensions.

Description:

The Murry family lives together with her family of three brothers and mother when when night she is visited by the mysterious Mrs Whatsit. The visitor informs Meg, the oldest daughter and protaganist, that an experimental idea her missing scientist father had been working on was in fact a reality. The Terrasact, a sort of wormhole or wrinkle in time (hence the title) that allows for travel between two dimensions. Meg, her youngest brother Charles and a friend Calvin travel to the house of Mrs Whatsit plus her friends Mrs Which and Mrs Who and learn that their father is imprisoned on the planet Camazotz which lies in another dimension. The only way travel there is through the Terrasact; essentially the fifth dimension. The three children learn that a massive evil entity called the Black Thing is currently planning to take over the universe. Meg, Charles and Calvin must travel to Camazotz and save Meg and Charles' father from his imprisonment under the all-knowing brain IT that controls the planet. It is up to the children to save Meg's father and fight against the evil that threatens to overtake the universe (in all dimensions).

Review:

One of the most unique books that I have had the pleasure of reviewing, the way in which L'Engle writes is unlike any other children's author. The book gives off a certain sense of mystery and awe that cannot be duplicated (in anything I have read). The book is a little difficult to understand (Einstein is mentioned briefly) and the idea of fourth and fifth dimensions is difficult for myself, let alone a 'tween'. The book is laced with religious overtones which may or may not throw off certain parents or teachers. The only other author that is reminiscent of L'Engle, that I can think of, is C.S. Lewis and that may explain some of the thematic similarities in their books. A really strange and fun book, especially for the older end of the 'tween' spectrum