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fhammond_36's review against another edition
4.0
Incredible story for kids. So imaginative and scary and lovely characters. Still feels relevant and true today. And so many things I missed the first time many many years ago.
librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't want to see the movie without first re-reading the book, since it's been many many years since I first read it. Turns out I remembered most of it pretty well! I still had a fair amount of trouble keeping track of the differences between Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who. (Mrs. Which was easier because she doesn't really materialize and seemed to be much older.) It was fascinating to read about Meg from an adult's perspective, and I definitely found the concept of the Earth as a "shadowed planet" particularly believable and relevant in light of current world events. Our world is in very great need of more light and love to burn away the darkness.
Madeleine L'Engle was a literary genius. I hope the movie stays true to the book. Oh, how I hope!
Madeleine L'Engle was a literary genius. I hope the movie stays true to the book. Oh, how I hope!
leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
setiff23's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
3.0
I know this is a classic and I'd always thought that I had read it in high school. Upon this listen I realize I have never before read the book and it wasn't at all what I expected. The book as a whole was more juvenile and at the same time had a mature underlying theme (unlike Narnia which has no real underlying purpose but is very self-important).
Without giving spoilers, the abandonment issues were presented in the first few pages were what changed this from the light fantasy I'd expected and made it almost something that was amazing. Unfortunately, I just didn't like the characters. Perhaps if I'd read this as a teenager it'd hold a dear spot in my heart, but instead of being charmed I was put off by the main character’s quirks. I wanted to just give the girl a pep talk with a little shake and tell her to have some confidence and stop whining.
I'm glad I read it so I actually know what people are talking about, but I would not recommend it.
Without giving spoilers, the abandonment issues were presented in the first few pages were what changed this from the light fantasy I'd expected and made it almost something that was amazing. Unfortunately, I just didn't like the characters. Perhaps if I'd read this as a teenager it'd hold a dear spot in my heart, but instead of being charmed I was put off by the main character’s quirks. I wanted to just give the girl a pep talk with a little shake and tell her to have some confidence and stop whining.
I'm glad I read it so I actually know what people are talking about, but I would not recommend it.
katemariec11's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
agrinczel's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I read this as part of the Women Wine & Books Book club, February 2017; also I read this as part of the 2017 #MMD Challenge (growth): "Three books by the same author" #1
I read this as part of the Women Wine & Books Book club, February 2017; also I read this as part of the 2017 #MMD Challenge (growth): "Three books by the same author" #1
logan08's review against another edition
4.0
This is the fourth time I've read this book, and I still love it. This book is really well written and I just love the story line. My favorite part by far was the part with the monsters and Aunt Beast. I think it would be fun to travel to a planet like that and then meet monsters that were so different from me and were telepathic. I really did think that this was an amazing book and I would recommend it to many of my friends.
exorcismemily's review against another edition
3.0
"I don't understand it any more than you do, but one thing I've learned is that you don't have to understand things for them to be."
I kind of wish I would have left this in my childhood. I know I loved it, and it's been at least 12 years since I read it. Now I just feel uncertain about it. I'm not really sure if I get it now. It's fun and not fun at the same time.
I kind of wish I would have left this in my childhood. I know I loved it, and it's been at least 12 years since I read it. Now I just feel uncertain about it. I'm not really sure if I get it now. It's fun and not fun at the same time.