A Review of a Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’engle

A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L’Engle is not an ordinary novel as it blends science-fiction and fantasy splendidly. This is a plot-based novel with obstacles always being present when trying to accomplish a task. The conflict that occurs in this novel is person vs self and person vs supernatural. The detail and imagery throughout the book werewas astonishing. It offers a powerful message that your differences and fallibility should be praised and celebrated and shall not be criticized. L’Engle does a very good job of using effective techniques to transport the reader through the journey of time and space. The countless themes in this novel create a tempest of emotions in the reader which opens up many conclusions in not only children, but adults.

L’Engle novel overall was a very well written, adventurous, and full of lessons experience. I as a reader learned various things one being the nature of beauty. It contrasts the theme of exterior beauty with that of the inner essence. Meg believes that her outer looksouterlooks such as having braces, glasses and knotted hair makes her not popular and therefore her life is harder. However, L’Engle is always reminding the reader that people are more than they look she states “No, Meg, but people are more than just the way they look. Charles Wallace’s different isn’t physical, it's in essence”. This really spoke out to me while I was reading the book because I feel like most people can relate to this. A lot of people get bullied, have a low self-esteem and just believe they are not good enough because of how people tend to judge if others doothers do not fit into society's standards and trends. They are quick to judge a book by its cover if you do not have perfect teeth, smooth silky hair and perfect vision or whatever the case is. This is why it is such a powerful message for the reader because it evokes something inside which turns out to be something very positive. Meg is also worried about Charles Wallace because he looks ordinary, but has a peculiar way of speaking shespeaking she believes just how she got picked on for her exterior looks Wallacewallace would be as well due to his oddities that other kids his age do not have. “No, Meg, but people are more than just the way they look. Charles Wallace’s different isn’t physical, it's in essence”. Mrs. Murry reminds Meg that Charles’sCharles inner “essence” is what makes him special. His exterior way of talking might not help with gaining a friend, but his special character is the one that helps him propel their mission forward with time. This all fits under Identity and appearance and I feel like a lot of people hide their true identity like Calvin in order to fit in while others get picked on for being oddballs like Meg and Charles Wallace; they hide their true intelligence and self in order to not have their individuality punished since in this novel everyone’s identity consists of a group hierarchy in which they play a role in.

A close examination of the powerful messages in this novel clearly shows the huge impact it has had on not only children, but adult audiences. L’Engle was successful inwith conveying the purpose and different messages strategically throughout the book. The strongest form of communication is love in this novel and it shows when “Calvin put a strong hand on Megs elbow, and Fort pressed against her leg. Happiness at their concern was so strong in her that panic fled, and she followed Charles Wallace into the dark recesses of the house without fear”. This shows how Meg is not afraid when she feels loved even when the danger is the same. This taught us how with a little love you can gain the strength to do the impossible. Love helps one see past the surfaces, and to see the truth that lies underneath. Love is something that destroys differences and unites people.