Destiny and Wrinkle in Time (Destiny)

by Kermit , Raleigh, NC, Monday, July 24, 2017, 09:11 (2767 days ago) @ Claude Errera

I don't think GV is looking at it from a historical context, I think he's looking at it as it was presented to him. (Same with other under-30s in this thread.)

What's the context I'm missing? the communism allegory? I picked up on that not long after I first read it and honestly I found it kind of obtuse but also ham-handed, but that's kind of what I expect from a kids' book.

First off, kids books are rarely obtuse; that's usually saved for older audiences. :)

But the context you're missing is that those themes that you found common, the things you've seen a bunch of times - they were new when L'Engle wrote about them. She was a trailsetter, and I think she deserves credit for that. (Those themes include the sci-fi stuff, but also a look at politics - the cold war, what happens when a country loses its way - things that aren't often included in children's books.)

::shrug:: Not all books resonate with all readers. If you didn't like it, or weren't impressed with it, fine. I was simply pointing out that a lot of your lack of interest might come from the fact that she wrote about things you find trite, except they weren't trite when she wrote about them. It's definitely not a 'children's book', imo.

Remember the classics, man. That's all I'm saying. (And yes, it's probably an age thing, 'cause "remember the classics" is something old guys say.)

Thanks for your great comments, Claude.