Madeleine L’Engle (1918–2007) was a prolific American author who wrote fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young adult literature, exploring themes such as the conflict between good and evil, the nature of God, individual responsibility, and family life.
Born in New York City, L’Engle discovered her love for storytelling at a young age and began writing plays, poems, and stories as a child. Her passion for literature grew stronger as she pursued her education at Smith College, where she studied English and theater. After graduating in 1941, she moved to New York City and worked as an actress and writer.
L’Engle’s writing career gained momentum in the 1950s by publishing her first novel, The Small Rain. However, her groundbreaking novel, A Wrinkle in Time (1962,) brought her widespread recognition and critical acclaim. This book, blending science fiction and fantasy, follows the adventures of Meg Murry, a young girl on a cosmic journey to rescue her scientist father from evil forces. A Wrinkle in Time challenged conventional ideas about children’s literature and quickly became a classic.
In addition to A Wrinkle in Time, L’Engle wrote several other books in the series, including A Wind in the Door (1973,) A Swiftly Tilting Planet (1978,) Many Waters (1986,) and An Acceptable Time (1989.) Over her career, she penned over 60 books, encompassing novels, poetry, and non-fiction works. L’Engle’s writing delved into themes of science, spirituality, love, and the human experience, grappling with complex philosophical and theological questions and inviting readers to contemplate the mysteries of the universe.
L’Engle also wrote books of fiction and poetry for adults, discussing her life and writing career in works such as A Circle of Quiet (1972,) The Summer of the Great-Grandmother (1974,) The Irrational Season (1977,) Walking on Water (1980,) and Two-Part Invention (1988.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Madeleine L’Engle
In our dreams we are able to fly … and that is a remembering of how we were meant to be.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Flying
Because you’re not what I would have you be, I blind myself to who, in truth, you are.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Realistic Expectations
Schooling, instead of encouraging the asking of questions, too often discourages it.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Questions
Nothing is hopeless; we must hope for everything.
—Madeleine L’Engle
That’s the way things come clear. All of a sudden. And then you realize how obvious they’ve been all along.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Self-Discovery, Common Sense
I like the fact that in ancient Chinese art the great painters always included a deliberate flaw in their work: human creation is never perfect.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Art, To Be Born Everyday, Creativity
Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Work
The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Aging, Age
When we are writing, or painting, or composing, we are, during the time of creativity, freed from normal restrictions, and are opened to a wider world, where colors are brighter, sounds clearer, and people more wondrously complex than we normally realize.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Creativity, To Be Born Everyday
If it can be verified, we don’t need faith… Faith is for that which lies on the other side of reason. Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.
—Madeleine L’Engle
Topics: Faith
It is the ability to choose which makes us human.
—Madeleine L’Engle
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