Tayari's Blog: R.I.P. Madeleine L'Engle

Posted by TayariJones on September 8, 2007 07:24 AM
Filed under Current Events

At age 88, children's author Madeleine L'Engle has passed away. I had to read A Wrinkle in Time about five times before I really "got" it. In light of our conversation earlier in the week about Judy Blume and whether kids need to see thier own stories (apparently verbatim) in books, we really must give Madeleine L'Engle her props. Ms. L'Engle's books were not comfort food-- mashed potatoes for the mind. This was challenging reading, putting forth bold ideas.

I remember my fourth grade teacher, Miss Thomasina Gaither, reading aloud from A Wrinkle In Time. We had gotten to the part where the main characters discover that the little boy who wouldn't bounce the ball has been put in a cell. I didn't know the word non-conformity then, but I knew exactly what the scene was about. And unlike my experience with other kids' books, I didn't walk away with a lesson about being tolerant of difference-- I walked away angry and with the impulse to fight back!

(Oh, my outrage when Miss Gaither shut the book and said we would have to wait until Monday for the next chapter!)

If Judy Blume books are beloved because they are about "real" kids struggling with their need to fit it, then Madeleine L'Engle's books are about fantasy kids who represent how smart and brave if we could just find the strength to resist all that crap and be our authentic selves.

R.I.P. Madeleine L'Engle. This writer- this woman-- thanks you for your searing and beautiful work.

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There are 3 comments on "R.I.P. Madeleine L'Engle". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by minaj [TypeKey Profile Page]

I loved Madeleine L'Engle's books also. She left a spectacular and challenging legacy. And NOBODY should update books - children are much more intelligent than we sometimes think. The joy of books for me as a child was always opening new doors, not finding a book that completely mirrored my life. As I keep telling my grandson, the only way to strengthen your brain is the same way you strengthen your muscles - by working a little outside of your comfort zone. (I love being a Grandma - you can get away with saying stuff like that!)

September 8, 2007 12:18 PM

Comment #2, by nicolebrackett [TypeKey Profile Page]

Tayari, I had not heard about Ms. L'Engle's passing, but the literary world has lost a giant, for sure. I, too, remember reading AWIT in grade school and feeling my brain being stretched. I'm still not sure I get it.
:-)

September 9, 2007 10:24 AM

Comment #3, by dianne pinderhughes [TypeKey Profile Page]

Tayari
Have been thinking about you and intending to call - just been so busy - give me a call soon - how is Rutgers?

574-246-0783 home
202-494-3348 cell

Dianne Pinderhughes

Oh - by the way, Call me Madame! President that is...

September 10, 2007 05:43 PM

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