Poudelivre

This novel is a classic and it’s not hard to see why. Madeleine L’Engle has created a story that has enthralled countless readers and will soon become a movie. It is, I suppose, a book made for children but I think adults as well as kids will get something out of this read.

Meg is a young girl who doesn’t fit into school, she’s not understood by neither teachers nor the headmaster and she’s seen as weird. Her little brother, Charles Wallace, is bullied as well because he is not at all like a regular five-year-old boy. They live with their mother and their twin brothers after their father disappeared a year earlier. The people in town says he left the family to be with another woman but Meg knows in her heart that that’s not true. When Meg and Charles Wallace meets Calvin O’Keefe and Charles introduces them to his friends, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, the three friends leave Earth to search the universe in order to save Meg and Charles’ father. It is an adventure that will change them forever and one were the fate of the universe rests on their shoulders.

This novel is made for children and it’s obvious. The plotline isn’t quite as intricate as novels for teenagers or adults are, but the characters have a surprising amount of depth. Charles Wallace is very intelligent and he brings a lot to the story with his analytical way of seeing the world. Meg is considered stupid because she can’t get good grades but she’s smart in her own way and I think a lot of girls can relate to her. She’s twelve in the novel and I believe she’s a good role model for readers in this age. She is often scared, angry and misunderstood but she evolves a lot throughout the novel. Calvin is a year or two older than her but despite being bigger and stronger he never takes over. The spotlight in this story is for Meg. I hope a lot of girls (and boys!) that feel like they don’t fit in can see the strength in Meg and the power that comes from being yourself.

The story explores a lot of interesting things, not only the obvious one which is the fight between good and evil. Meg’s father has been taken by the evil IT and the children must fight so that the light in the universe wins. Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which are not human but kind beings that helps the children fight IT. During the adventure Meg and the others also meet beings for other planets and it’s fun to see how different they are and how they view life. I think both children and adults will enjoy this story because it makes you think and it gives the reader a chance to see the world in a new light. And, of course, it’s an exciting adventure through space with a relatable heroin at the helm. What more do you need?