Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I purchased this for a hefty $1 at a used bookstore—who could pass up such a bargain? I totally only bought it to stock my friend’s new Free Public Library, and not because ConspiracyTok insists this was the consensus reading assignment for the cryptic GATE program… right?
A classic. I’ve read it a few times, even as an adult, but this go-round came after years spent exploring altered states of consciousness—which gave it an entirely new lens. Fascinating, charming, and likely built from some very real experience. I’m always a sucker for a perfectly blended science-and-spirituality smoothie.
I’ll leave it at that, for fear of sounding too kooky on Al Gore’s internet.
A classic. I’ve read it a few times, even as an adult, but this go-round came after years spent exploring altered states of consciousness—which gave it an entirely new lens. Fascinating, charming, and likely built from some very real experience. I’m always a sucker for a perfectly blended science-and-spirituality smoothie.
I’ll leave it at that, for fear of sounding too kooky on Al Gore’s internet.
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
This was very cute and interesting, I liked it
There is actually a decent story here, but it is overshadowed by uninspired writing, shoehorned in religious garbage, and a protagonist that is dumber than snot. I want to know more about the overarching story here, but do I really want to read more of Meg's incessant whining?
I cannot decide whether my interest in the story is enough for me to attempt to continue the Time Quintet. Maybe there will be some character growth that could make continuing the story worth it.
I cannot decide whether my interest in the story is enough for me to attempt to continue the Time Quintet. Maybe there will be some character growth that could make continuing the story worth it.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was actually pretty excited for this one, but it really wasn't it for me. I think the pacing was super off. It felt like there would be pretty big chunks where nothing happened, and then the big resolution took 5 pages. And it felt like it was setting up for a big reveal, and there just...wasnt one? I kept waiting for more information about this universe-ending threat, and we never got any. Maybe this will be revealed later, idk.
Meg also SUCKED. She was useless for most of the book, and was incredibly petulant and demanding of everyone else. Calvin was fine, but I don't really even understand why he was needed in the book. And their relationship seemed to move at light speed. They had like one conversation, and then didn't stop clinging to each other for the rest of the book. And everyone else just starts professing their love after 5 seconds (or literally 1 Chapter for Aunt Beast).
The pacing and scale were both way off in my opinion. I'm willing to give the rest of the series a shot since it's so beloved, but not having super high hopes here...
Meg also SUCKED. She was useless for most of the book, and was incredibly petulant and demanding of everyone else. Calvin was fine, but I don't really even understand why he was needed in the book. And their relationship seemed to move at light speed. They had like one conversation, and then didn't stop clinging to each other for the rest of the book. And everyone else just starts professing their love after 5 seconds (or literally 1 Chapter for Aunt Beast).
The pacing and scale were both way off in my opinion. I'm willing to give the rest of the series a shot since it's so beloved, but not having super high hopes here...
These books (technically just the first three because I haven't gotten a hold of the last two yet) are my yearly reads. No other book (with the exception of the Bible) has affected my life so greatly. These book tie together so many things that I am passionate about: naming, identity, teaching, storytelling, philosophy, religion, music. And I appreciate that love is more that just a feeling or an action, but it is a powerful force that has consequences in the world, much like the force of gravity. I believe with all my heart that this is true and that we need to live with that in mind if we are going to fight evil.
"Who have our fighters been?" Calvin asked.
"Oh, you must know them, dear," Mrs. whatsit said.
Mrs. Who's spectacles shone out at them triumphantly,
"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
"Jesus!" Charles Wallace said. "Why of course, Jesus!"
"Of course!" Mrs. Whatsit said. "Go on, Charles, love.
There were others. All your great artists. They've been
lights for us to see by."
"Leonardo da Vinci?" Calvin suggested tentatively.
"And Michelangelo?"
"And Shakespeare," Charles Wallace called out, "and
Bach! And Pasteur and Madame Curie and Einstein!"
Now Calvin's voice rang with confidence. "And Schweitzer and Gandhi and Buddha and Beethoven and Rembrandt and St. Francis!"
"Now you, Meg," Mrs. Whatsit ordered.
"Oh, Euclid, I suppose." Meg was in such an agony of
impatience that her voice grated irritably. "And Copernicus."
This is my favorite passage because it beautifully illustrates how art, music, science, and math are all ways of fighting the darkness. I love this example of purpose and vocation. Even though it's overwhelming, darkness can be overcome when we embrace our calling and learn to love.l
"Who have our fighters been?" Calvin asked.
"Oh, you must know them, dear," Mrs. whatsit said.
Mrs. Who's spectacles shone out at them triumphantly,
"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
"Jesus!" Charles Wallace said. "Why of course, Jesus!"
"Of course!" Mrs. Whatsit said. "Go on, Charles, love.
There were others. All your great artists. They've been
lights for us to see by."
"Leonardo da Vinci?" Calvin suggested tentatively.
"And Michelangelo?"
"And Shakespeare," Charles Wallace called out, "and
Bach! And Pasteur and Madame Curie and Einstein!"
Now Calvin's voice rang with confidence. "And Schweitzer and Gandhi and Buddha and Beethoven and Rembrandt and St. Francis!"
"Now you, Meg," Mrs. Whatsit ordered.
"Oh, Euclid, I suppose." Meg was in such an agony of
impatience that her voice grated irritably. "And Copernicus."
This is my favorite passage because it beautifully illustrates how art, music, science, and math are all ways of fighting the darkness. I love this example of purpose and vocation. Even though it's overwhelming, darkness can be overcome when we embrace our calling and learn to love.l
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
I remember reading this book in 4th grade and feeling very confused by the science fiction aspects of the story. Upon reading it again with my 5th grade daughter, I’m left feeling the same way.
The message of love over hate and fear reads loud and clear and the story is quite compelling. It gets a little Christian, which I don’t remember from when I get a kid, but who can’t agree that love will be beat hate every time.
The message of love over hate and fear reads loud and clear and the story is quite compelling. It gets a little Christian, which I don’t remember from when I get a kid, but who can’t agree that love will be beat hate every time.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I may have read this later in life than most, but I loved every bit of it. I did feel the ending was a but rushed, but still enjoyable!