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kaebirdie's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this book as a kid...but the grownup re-read did not go as well. Oh well.
isaarusilor's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
callienicole's review against another edition
1.0
So, before I dive into my thoughts on this book, I have to start by reminding you all that the star ratings are based on *whether I personally would recommend the book*. I’m not saying anything about the actual quality of the book unless I specifically mention quality as a problem in my review.
I feel like I need to establish that again, because obviously in reviewing something that is considered a modern classic like A Wrinkle In Time, the writing is probably going to be good. That’s not what my stars are based on. If I am basing the star rating purely on writing and enjoyability, I’d probably give this book a 4. It gets 1.5 stars, because I found myself concerned with other aspects of the book.
Let’s start by defining dualism, shall we?
Dualism, according to the dictionary, is “a religious doctrine that the universe contains opposed powers of good and evil, especially seen as balanced equals”. As Christians, we do not believe in dualism. God is sovereign and all-powerful. “Satan” or “Evil” is not equally powerful with God. There is no “eternal battle of good and evil” - God completely wins, Satan is thrown into the lake of fire, and that’s that.
Unfortunately, I cannot get behind A Wrinkle In Time because it’s firmly grounded in this idea of dualism, that there is a “Dark Thing” in the universe that seeks to claim different planets, and there is this constant power struggle between “light” and “darkness” with some planets succumbing, some planets triumphing, and some planets “fighting” against it.
Also, apparently the worst thing this “Dark Thing” can do is take away our decision-making and individuality? I found that weird.
This wouldn’t have bothered me so much if this book were taking place in a separate, completely imaginary world - then I could categorize this as pure fantasy. But I couldn’t do that because L’Engle places the whole thing in our universe, and specifically seems to be trying to say something about God in the process. In this book, God is not all powerful, planets are “fighting” against “The Dark Thing” (mainly with love), and this whole thing is not presented as an allegory because Jesus is actually mentioned as one of Earth’s “fighters” against “The Dark Thing”. Jesus is mentioned as just as important as people like Rembrandt, and Shakespeare. What a compliment (sarcasm font needed here). Because the author even inserts Bible verses into the story, I felt like she was trying to fit Christianity itself into this imaginary narrative of the history of the universe. Creative? Sure. Biblically sound? No, it wasn’t at all.
Jesus is not a “fighter” against Evil, He is God Himself, who became a man (while remaining God) to save us from our own sin when we trust in Him. God is not in an eternal struggle with “The Dark Thing”, He is infinitely sovereign and powerful over everything.
Maybe you think I’m being nitpicky about something that’s supposed to be a fantasy story, but I firmly believe we should not accept any book at face-value but look at the worldview that is being communicated through the story. And I’m sorry to burst any bubbles, but the worldview here is certainly not in line with the God’s Word.
I’m particularly concerned that this book is being read by children because of a few references to occult practices and symbols that were presented by the “good” characters. We have a “Happy Medium” who observes things in her crystal ball, abilities that seem to be like "psychic" abilities to me, and a god-like character that wears the classic witch’s garb - pointy hat, black cloak, and a broom. I am particularly concerned with the author mixing Christian references and Bible verses with occult symbols and practices here. For Christian parents, I’m afraid that handing this book to our children could inadvertently send the message that these things are okay and can coexist wth Christianity, unless parents are carefully discussing the problem with mixing the two.
Personally, I won’t be handing this book to my children at all, at least not until they are able to read it with critical eyes and guard their minds. Maybe not even then. To me, the way Christianity was mixed with these competing views about God and the world is pretty insidious, and I’d recommend approaching this book with great caution.
I feel like I need to establish that again, because obviously in reviewing something that is considered a modern classic like A Wrinkle In Time, the writing is probably going to be good. That’s not what my stars are based on. If I am basing the star rating purely on writing and enjoyability, I’d probably give this book a 4. It gets 1.5 stars, because I found myself concerned with other aspects of the book.
Let’s start by defining dualism, shall we?
Dualism, according to the dictionary, is “a religious doctrine that the universe contains opposed powers of good and evil, especially seen as balanced equals”. As Christians, we do not believe in dualism. God is sovereign and all-powerful. “Satan” or “Evil” is not equally powerful with God. There is no “eternal battle of good and evil” - God completely wins, Satan is thrown into the lake of fire, and that’s that.
Unfortunately, I cannot get behind A Wrinkle In Time because it’s firmly grounded in this idea of dualism, that there is a “Dark Thing” in the universe that seeks to claim different planets, and there is this constant power struggle between “light” and “darkness” with some planets succumbing, some planets triumphing, and some planets “fighting” against it.
Also, apparently the worst thing this “Dark Thing” can do is take away our decision-making and individuality? I found that weird.
This wouldn’t have bothered me so much if this book were taking place in a separate, completely imaginary world - then I could categorize this as pure fantasy. But I couldn’t do that because L’Engle places the whole thing in our universe, and specifically seems to be trying to say something about God in the process. In this book, God is not all powerful, planets are “fighting” against “The Dark Thing” (mainly with love), and this whole thing is not presented as an allegory because Jesus is actually mentioned as one of Earth’s “fighters” against “The Dark Thing”. Jesus is mentioned as just as important as people like Rembrandt, and Shakespeare. What a compliment (sarcasm font needed here). Because the author even inserts Bible verses into the story, I felt like she was trying to fit Christianity itself into this imaginary narrative of the history of the universe. Creative? Sure. Biblically sound? No, it wasn’t at all.
Jesus is not a “fighter” against Evil, He is God Himself, who became a man (while remaining God) to save us from our own sin when we trust in Him. God is not in an eternal struggle with “The Dark Thing”, He is infinitely sovereign and powerful over everything.
Maybe you think I’m being nitpicky about something that’s supposed to be a fantasy story, but I firmly believe we should not accept any book at face-value but look at the worldview that is being communicated through the story. And I’m sorry to burst any bubbles, but the worldview here is certainly not in line with the God’s Word.
I’m particularly concerned that this book is being read by children because of a few references to occult practices and symbols that were presented by the “good” characters. We have a “Happy Medium” who observes things in her crystal ball, abilities that seem to be like "psychic" abilities to me, and a god-like character that wears the classic witch’s garb - pointy hat, black cloak, and a broom. I am particularly concerned with the author mixing Christian references and Bible verses with occult symbols and practices here. For Christian parents, I’m afraid that handing this book to our children could inadvertently send the message that these things are okay and can coexist wth Christianity, unless parents are carefully discussing the problem with mixing the two.
Personally, I won’t be handing this book to my children at all, at least not until they are able to read it with critical eyes and guard their minds. Maybe not even then. To me, the way Christianity was mixed with these competing views about God and the world is pretty insidious, and I’d recommend approaching this book with great caution.
liketheverb's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I had read this book when I was a middle-grader; I probably would have been able to appreciate it more. L'engle's prose is lyrical and flowing, her command of imagery is breathtaking, and the messages of her story are heart-fealt, endearing, and important.
emeszee's review against another edition
4.0
This book was decent, and I'm actually considering continuing the quintet. I would reccomend!
poppyedition's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed this book as a kid (though it was a bit too ~mystical for me at that age), but this time around it just felt slow and plodding to me. Sadly, I couldn't recapture the magic and was left feeling rather let down.