“’Well, then, someone just tell me how we got here!’ Calvin’s voice was still angry and his freckles seemed to stand out on his face. ‘Even traveling at the speed of light, it would take us years and years to get here.’
‘Oh, we don’t travel at the speed of anything,’ Mrs. Whatsit explained earnestly. ‘We tesser. Or you might say, we wrinkle.’” – A Wrinkle in Time
I chose A Wrinkle in Time as my book bucket list pick for February for a couple of reasons. One, I’ve wanted to re-read this book for years. When I picked it up this month, it had been at least twenty years since I’d read it. I remember it having a science fiction and fantasy feel to it, but I was fuzzy on the details. Two, I wanted to brush up on the book before the new Disney film version releases in March.
In case you’re not familiar with the story, the main characters are a brother and sister named Meg and Charles Wallace. Their parents are both scientists and their father has been missing for a long time. He was supposedly doing some top-secret government work, but his letters stopped coming and wild rumors have started as to what may have happened to him. Several people in town think he simply ran off and abandoned his family. Of course, Meg, Charles Wallace, and their mother know that can’t be true. The book opens on a “dark and stormy night” and what ensues is one fantastic science fiction adventure as the children attempt to find their father in the universe.
Rereading A Wrinkle in Time was an enjoyable experience. I really got involved in the story even though I still remembered the ending. I thought the children were great characters, especially Meg. Poor, awkward Meg, who doesn’t quite fit in, just like her brother, Charles Wallace. And who doesn’t love Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which? With names like those, you can’t help but become intrigued by them. I was especially fond of Mrs. Whatsit’s story of sacrifice for the greater good.
What surprised me upon my reread was the spiritual symbolism in the book. Perhaps it just went over my head when I read it as a kid. But this time around, I read the IT and the darkness as a clear metaphor for evil and sin. I won’t talk about how Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin overcome the IT or the roles of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which other than to say that they were guiding the children through the universe. I don’t want to give away any spoilers for anyone who is planning on reading it or seeing the movie next month. But I will say that the symbolism was clear to me, and I’m curious to see if the film version retains this spiritual undertone.
I really enjoyed the science in this story. I loved that Meg’s parents were both scientists. I have long had a fascination with worm holes. I think they are an intriguing concept, and the idea of “wrinkling” kept me curious and imagining the possibilities. I think anyone who enjoys science fiction and fantasy would enjoy this book. Have you read the book or are you planning to see the movie? Please feel free to share your thoughts on either or both!
Kait's Bookshelf