Synopses & Reviews
Madeleine L'Engle's classic young adult books include
A Wrinkle in Time,
A Swiftly Planet, and
Certain Women.
The Small Place, an adult novel, focuses on Katherine Forrester, the daughter of distinguished musical artists, whose career as a concert pianist evolves through loves and losses. Katherine is a child growing up in a refined, yet bohemian, artistic ambience--theatrical as well as musical . . . . [Her] adolescence is lonely and difficult, but as Katherine advances to young womanhood, her heart as well as her talent is promisingly engaged (
Publishers Weekly).
Review
"An unusual and beautiful book . . .--
Los Angeles Times L'Engle has created an immensely appealing character; and in the course of her quietly well-told story she has given us a true picture of the life lived by serious artists.--Philadelphia Inquirer
About the Author
Madeleine LEngle (1918-2007) was the Newbery Medal-winning author of more than 60 books, including the much-loved
A Wrinkle in Time. Born in 1918, LEngle grew up in New York City, Switzerland, South Carolina and Massachusetts. Her father was a reporter and her mother had studied to be a pianist, and their house was always full of musicians and theater people. LEngle graduated cum laude from Smith College, then returned to New York to work in the theater. While touring with a play, she wrote her first book,
The Small Rain, originally published in 1945. She met her future husband, Hugh Franklin, when they both appeared in The Cherry Orchard. Upon becoming Mrs. Franklin, LEngle gave up the stage in favor of the typewriter. In the years her three children were growing up, she wrote four more novels. Hugh Franklin temporarily retired from the theater, and the family moved to western Connecticut and for ten years ran a general store. Her book
Meet the Austins, an American Library Association Notable Children's Book of 1960, was based on this experience. Her science fantasy classic
A Wrinkle in Time was awarded the 1963 Newbery Medal. Two companion novels,
A Wind in the Door and
A Swiftly Tilting Planet (a Newbery Honor book), complete what has come to be known as The Time Trilogy, a series that continues to grow in popularity with a new generation of readers. Her 1980 book
A Ring of Endless Light won the Newbery Honor. LEngle passed away in 2007 in Litchfield, Connecticut.