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A Wrinkle in Time
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AWIT: Random thoughts by Jack Handey - er, John Taloni
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John (Taloni) wrote: "Spoiler protected for the email crowd....."<3 you for the spoiler tags.
I'm saving this until I finish what will likely be my umpteenth re-read, but first re-read as an adult. It might be in March. ;)
John (Taloni) wrote: "Looks like discussion has largely died down and the month is almost over, but I just finished yesterday. So, my thoughts on the book, in no particular order. Spoiler protected for the email crowd....."I agree with pretty much everything you say. The last few pages still feel rushed to me, (view spoiler) but everything else unfolded just the way you point out. (view spoiler)
I enjoyed the book and I think it generally worked well. The kids I'm reading it to now seem to agree so far :-)
(view spoiler)[
* The relationships are built very quickly by today's standards. We're only a few thousand words in when Meg starts thinking of Calvin as boyfriend material. He takes to the family rather abruptly. In another situation this could be stalkerish and weird. It fits because this is an otherwordly kind of book, but on this reread (at least my 3rd, perhaps 4th) it felt odd.
* A lot has been said about the abrupt ending, but really, it fits well with the foreshadowing. Firstly, the book is about Meg coming into her power, from her awkward time at school through her difficulty understanding that her father is not all-powerful, through to her solving the problem.
But, this book is also about the power of God's love. It's interesting in that God never makes an appearance, nor is even mentioned. But God's presence is felt throughout. Firstly in the immense power of the three guardian angel / witches, who serve...something. Then when Mrs. Whatsit changes to an androgynous winged horse, Calvin goes to kneel, and she says "Not to me. Never to me." But that leaves the possibility that it would be appropriate to kneel to someone, the logical conclusion being God.
Then Meg feels love from the odd beings of Ixchel. They do not look human, but are more lovable than the physically human beings of Camazotz. Here again it is love that matters. It is their love that saves Meg from the Black Thing.
In the final confrontation with IT, Meg's secret weapon is love. She breaks IT's power over Charles Wallace with the power of love. But what then? She can't Tesser. They would be taken over again quickly. But Meg knew that Mrs. Whatsit loved her, and would help if she could. By opening herself to God's love, she saves Charles Wallace, and Mrs. Whatsit's love saves them both.
* Partly this book uses the tropes of YA fiction, but also partly it reveals a portion of God's plan. The obvious person to save Mr. Murry would be his wife. But if the three guardian angels / witches go through her, they do not train the next generation. Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin would not be tested, nor learn anything new.
* The message of tolerance and not judging on appearance is woven throughout. A Christian traditionalist might balk at the use of a Medium, but actually, spiritualists of all kinds appear in the Bible under positive circumstances. The three Mrs. appear to be witches, or are at least portraying themselves as witches. but are actually guardian angels. The beings of Ixchel are very non-human and don't even have sight, but are much more loving and lovable than the nominally human people of Camazotz, who are willing to sell out children to keep from being subjected to questioning. And finally Meg appears to be a gawky, awkward teen, but even from the start of the book contains the solution within herself.
(hide spoiler)]
Welp, if anyone wants to discuss, this will be topical for... *squints* ...three more days!