But I did appreciate that the way to foster change is first to listen, as Charles Wallace is ordered to do. Since my choices have almost never turned out the way I expected, I tend to approach them with trepidation. The idea that an individual and his or her choices can change the fate of the entire world inspires in me equal part happiness and fear.

The whole family is supposed to be super intelligent. She’s supposed to be a brilliant scientist. Murry suddenly realizes that the names Madoc and Mad Dog may be related. I was also jerked out of the story late in the game when Mrs. We meet Madoc, Madog, Maddux, and Mad Dog Gwydder, Gedder, and Gwen Zyllie, Zyllah, Zylle plus two Branwens. However, I found the similarity of names confusing and eventually tiresome. Most of these people are found at the rock itself I loved thinking about the various people who have inhabited a small plot of land over the centuries. The unicorn cautions him that he must become the other person, forgetting himself and his own thoughts so as not to confuse the person.Īt this point, Meg and Charles Wallace essentially disappear from the story, which instead follows the succession of people whom Charles Wallace goes “within”. Although he does not know what to expect, a unicorn appears who is able to put him “within” other people. O’Keeffe rouses herself to recite an ancient rune and insist that Charles Wallace must prevent the catastrophe.Ĭharles Wallace heads out to the star-watching rock, asking Meg to remain at home and kythe with him, i.e., communicate telepathically. Murry, warning that nuclear war is about to erupt thanks to a South American dictator, “Mad Dog” Branzillo. The somewhat overly idyllic (other than Meg’s mother-in-law) family get-together is interrupted by a phone call from the President, who often consults with Mr. O’Keefe has demonstrated only dislike for Meg and the Murrys and indifference to her son. An inarticulate and apathetic woman, Mrs. Calvin himself is away at a conference in Britain, but his mother has joined them, much to the Murry’s surprise.

Meg is not only grown up and married to Calvin, she is expecting a baby. Charles Wallace is fifteen and still in touch with his mysterious abilities. Ten years have passed since A Wind in the Door, the second book. Thanksgiving has brought the Murry clan together. Perhaps it was the weather or my mood, but I struggled to pay attention to it. However, this third installment of the series featuring the Murry family dragged for me. Recently I reread A Wrinkle in Time and enjoyed it perhaps even more than I did back then. It’s always a bit dangerous to reread books you loved when young.

Prelude by Madeleine L'Engle