Re-readers-review

I’m just re-reading the Wrinkle in Time quintet, by Madeline L’Engle, having been given the books for my birthday instead of having to hunt them down in the local library like last time (actually, considering my age at the time, my mother did that). I’ve got a whole lot of different impressions than the first time I read this, considering the fact that I’m older (and hopefully wiser).

A Wrinkle in Time

Outline: A 13 year old girl, together with her younger brother and her friend travel to another planet with the help of extra-terrestrial beings to rescue her missing father

Potential Warnings: Nothing of note. I read this at age 10 and wasn’t scarred or concerned by it in any way. It’s a family friendly kind of thing

Thoughts: I really quite enjoyed this book, both as a child, where I enjoyed the sweeping adventure story and the positive world view, along with the fascinating scientific insight, and now as an adult when I can look at some of the deeper themes.

I could blabber on about how the timing of the books publication and it’s themes of valuing individuality over similarity relate to the fears of communism at the time, but this is not really the kind of thing that I want to talk about.

I enjoyed the way that I felt that I could relate to the characters. I certainly felt like a Meg at one stage in my life. Worried about being accepted, and having fears about my family and stuff. The story excited me too, the sweeping adventure was good even when I was older, although I do apparently have the imagination of a 7 year old (it’s a bit hyper-active). I loved seeing the transformation of the characters, both the physical and also the emotional transformation.

My personal most awesome moment was possibly either when Mrs Whatsit turned into the shiny creature or oddly enough, when they were on the Planet Ixchel with Aunt Beast.

On that kind of note, the whole idea of describing things without sight really fascinated me. Just try. Think of someone who you know really well and try to describe them without describing the way they look….. Hard isn’t it? I think that it really shows as humanity how dependent we are on sight.

Gripes: My only real complaint about this story, (I’m fairly easily satisfied), is that I think it was possibly too short. I think that possibly more could have happened but then again the book is aimed at children.

Second-time thoughts & mentions: The things that I noticed the second time around which I didn’t notice the first (especially as I was much younger), was an actual kiss mentioned in the book, I was surprised that I didn’t see that, and also some of the thematics about the value of individuality.

Overall: I enjoyed this story, as it was entertaining, fascinating, fun, and I really wanted to find out what happened at the end. Just what I like see in a book

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