My oldest daughter and I are reading through Madeleine L’Engle’s Wrinkle quintet. I read the first two or three books back in Middle School, so it’s been a while. The story is fascinating with vivid imagination. Here are some favorite passages I highlighted from A Wrinkle in Time:
What could there be about a shadow that was so terrible that she knew that there had never been before or ever would be again anything that would chill her with a fear that was beyond shuddering, beyond crying or screaming, beyond the possibility of comfort?
Wow. The darkness they’re up against is palpable.
We took a time wrinkle as well as a space wrinkle. It’s very easy to do if you just know how.
If only I knew how! (Also, I love the hand-waving here.)
But of course we can’t take any credit for our talents. It’s how we use them that counts. And I make far too many mistakes.
Great reference to Jesus’ parable of the talents.
“It’s the Dark Thing we saw from the mountain peak on Uriel when we were riding on Mrs Whatsit’s back!” “Did it just come?” Mrs Whatsit sighed. “No, Meg. It hasn’t just come. It has been there for a great many years. That is why your planet is such a troubled one.”
Speaks for itself.
“Calvin, your great gift is your ability to communicate, to communicate with all kinds of people. So, for you, I will strengthen this gift. Meg, I give you your faults.” “My faults!” Meg cried. “Your faults.” “But I’m always trying to get rid of my faults!” “Yes,” Mrs Whatsit said. “However, I think you’ll find they’ll come in very handy on Camazotz.”
Reminds me of Paul’s struggle with a thorn in his flesh. Although I doubt Paul tessered to another planet. Great reminder though that our own strength can fail us, and when we are weak, God is strong.
“I’ve been trying to explain to you in the simplest possible way that on Camazotz individuals have been done away with. Camazotz is ONE mind. It’s IT. And that’s why everybody’s so happy and efficient.”
Camazotz must be where the Borg are originally from. And what an interesting strategy by evil to promise happiness this way. It’s very close to the promise and reality of the Church, but so very far.