Crosswicks Ltd. 1962
Reading Level: 9+ Number of Pages: 212 Genre: Science Fiction
Newbery Medal
Sequoya Book Award
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and was runner-up for Hans Christian Andersen Award
Summary: Meg Murray is a troubled student. To her teachers, she is simply troublesome, despite her apparent talent for math. Her teachers view her as stubborn and stupid, and a lot of blame is placed on her father, who has not come back for a very long time. Many people seem to imply that he has run off and left their family. Meg and her brother Charles Wallace are visited by some mysterious people (Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which) who teach them how they can rescue their father. They are accompanied by Calvin O' Keefe, a comforting friend of Meg and Charles, through space and time, hoping to rescue their father and combat a great and nameless evil. Charles is overtaken by a that evil, known only as IT, and Meg discovers that only she can bring him back. She discovers that in a world where everything is controlled by IT, her personal flaws and love for her brother are more powerful.
My Impressions: A Wrinkle in Time is regarded as an old classic of literature, particularly science fiction. There is a depth to the characters and story which can be viewed on an intransitive, basic viewpoint, or the reader has freedom to capture some deep truths hidden just below the surface. The world of Camazotz is controlled by a being known only as IT, an entity that controls everyone and everything. I was reminded of Orwell's descriptions of "Big Brother," and find some close correlations--the difference here being that IT is physically perceived by the characters: its danger and substance are almost tangible.
"But that's exactly what we have on Camazotz. Complete equality. Everybody exactly alike."
For a moment her brain reeled with confusion, then came a moment of blazing truth. "No!" she cried triumphantly. "Like and equal are not the same thing at all!"
For a moment her brain reeled with confusion, then came a moment of blazing truth. "No!" she cried triumphantly. "Like and equal are not the same thing at all!"
My Impressions: A Wrinkle in Time is regarded as an old classic of literature, particularly science fiction. There is a depth to the characters and story which can be viewed on an intransitive, basic viewpoint, or the reader has freedom to capture some deep truths hidden just below the surface. The world of Camazotz is controlled by a being known only as IT, an entity that controls everyone and everything. I was reminded of Orwell's descriptions of "Big Brother," and find some close correlations--the difference here being that IT is physically perceived by the characters: its danger and substance are almost tangible.
Secondly, I was rather impressed with the three "witches" in the story. They are called several things, but they take on an almost seraphic position in the realm of the story, and their humble initial appearance belies their true nature.
Parent's Guide: As mentioned above, there is a perceptible quality of danger found in the story, which causes it to be (perhaps) a little scary at times. Although there are some situations which seem tense and dangerous, nobody dies, and there are no other elements which would seem inappropriate for kids. I might mention that Meg is viewed by her teachers and peers as a dumb and irrational child, who has resorted to violence because some kids were making fun of her brother, but the book handles these issues very well.
Recommendations: Science Fiction is sometimes a touchy genre, for some people seem to feel that books of this type are generally the same. A Wrinkle in Time is quite different from other books I have read of this genre, and is definitely "Science Fiction" because there are no elves, magic kingdoms, or dragons. The story is incredibly fantastic, and I would suggest it especially to people who do not read all that often. Here is a story to cause you to be inspired and imagine new possibilities.
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