It feels so wonderful and lovely and amazing to be sitting here, once more putting fingertips to the keyboard, happily tapping away, about to write about books, and in the first parts of Summer! So much has happened lately (see: On Graduating from College). Anyway. Here are a few of my thoughts on this fabulous series, Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quintent, books 1-3!
I read these way back in February and had planned to write about them earlier, but just didn’t get around to it. I was very pleasantly surprised by the first three books, and I’m looking forward to reading the last two, hopefully this year! Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quintent
A little preface
I have ~thoughts~ on science-fiction. I’m not really a massive fan. I can stomach a short story from the likes of Ray Bradbury or something, but it’s not my cup of tea at all. (Honestly, I felt gratified in holding this opinion when I found out that Nan of Nan’s Pre-Owned Books also doesn’t like sci-fi :’))
I wrote about some of these thoughts in my journal the night, or early morning, rather, that I finished A Wrinkle in Time. (Also felt the need to flap my jaws to Julie in a snap spam about this, s/o to her for always listening to my bookish thoughts and then matching my energy in her responses.) I’ll share some excerpts here to set the stage for this post…
A minor essay on the tendencies of science-fiction and the contrast of the fantasy genre
I have finally hit upon why I despise and loathe science-fiction so much…I now understand–truly and wholly–why I abhor it. And Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time just helped me figure this out. (editor’s note: wow i certainly used some strong language here LUL)
It is because science-fiction very often paints Earth as this backwards place. A menial, difficult, and unnecessarily complex place. To be sure, it is full of sin, and there is death, and pain, and suffering—but there is beauty here also.
Furthermore, science-fiction so often describes pleasures that we experience here as sub-par. In those other places, music, for example, is tangible and more real than on Earth. But this is simply untrue. Music can be tangible and concrete here. Music moves the soul and brings tears to our eyes, sometimes just by virtue of its beauty…
My two favourite fantasy worlds are so distinct from this. The splendour of Narnia is that while it is “better” than Earth because Aslan is there, it is still, in a very real sense, equivalent. The importance of our world is not at all diminished. The Pevensies actually went to Narnia that they might be better here… And as for Middle-Earth, why, it’s the “history” of us. Through it all, there is both the prospect and reality of hope. From the evils of Morgoth to the darkness of Sauron, Eru Illúvatar still reigns supreme. And those white shores, that promise, stands from “then” to now.
This earth, this perilous place, is still beautiful… God became flesh and walked on this cursed plane. For me!! For the world He created! … this planet, this sphere of rotating rock, was His own creation. And He said it was Good. There is such artistry and joy here. This present matters. This is why the world speaks wonders, and why it does not deserve to be denigrated.
Back to the review…
All in all, I really enjoyed what I’ve read of this series so far! I’m going to have to be on the lookout for books 4 & 5 when I browse used bookstores.
If I had read these books when I was younger, I have no doubt that I would have devoured them in one sitting and been unable to put them down. Since I read these as an adult who is not a huge fan of science fiction, I approached them a bit cautiously—at first. Quickly, however, I enjoyed the story and read the entirety of A Wrinkle in Time in one day, staying up very late to finish it.
I do think that each book got better and better, with A Swiftly Tilting Planet providing an excellent level of conflict that kept me on the edge of my seat and loth to put the book down for schoolwork. Also, I actually think that A Wind in the Door might be the darkest of the three? I’m not 100% sure, as it’s been a few months since I read the books.
I would certainly recommend this series! I feel confident that I’m going to enjoy the final two books. I’m also even more interested, now, in reading The Austin Family series, as I’ve only ever read A Ring of Endless Light. Apparently, four characters appear in both series, so I’d like to see how that works.
Favourite quotes from each book:
A Wrinkle in Time
Darkness has a tangible quality; it can be moved through and felt; in darkness you can bark your shins; the world of things still exists around you.
Meg being un-corporeal
Like and equal are two entirely different things.
Meg’s revelation as she fights against it
Dialogue between Calvin and Mrs Whatsit:
Calvin: “You mean you’re comparing our lives to a sonnet? A strict form, but freedom within it?”
Mrs. Whatsit: “Yes…You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you.”
A Wind in the Door
What a strange idea. Love isn’t feeling… Love isn’t how you feel. It’s what you do.
Proginoskes
I love this especially because it’s a concept my father has taught me since I was very young. We will not always feel love towards family, friends, or even enemies. But consistently doing what’s best for the other person, treating them with respect, and the like—that is love. Love, above all else, is a choice.
A Swiftly Tilting Planet
… and the face rippled until it was a small, slightly pear-shaped sphere, and on the sphere were blotches of green and brown for land, and blue and grey for seas, and a soft darkness for clouds, and from the clouds came strange dark objects which fell upon the land and fell upon the sea, and where they fell, great clouds arose, umbrellaing over the earth and the sea; and beneath the bulbous clouds was fire, raging redly and driven wild by wind.
what madoc saw in the glass
I place all Heaven with its power And the sun with its brightness, And the snow with its whiteness, And the fire with all the strength it hath, And the lightning with its rapid wrath, And the winds with their swiftness along their path, And the sea with its deepness, And the rocks with their steepness, And the earth with its starkness, All these I place By God's almighty help and grace Between myself and the powers of darkness!
That’s a wrap on this mini-review of the Time Quintent, books 1-3!
Thank you so much for reading! Have you read A Wrinkle in Time and/or any of the accompanying books? What is your opinion on sci-fi as a genre? Are you a big fan, or otherwise? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quintent