I've just heard with sadness the news of Madeleine L'Engle's death. (Sept. 6, 2007) I've been expecting to hear of it for some time, and will always regret that I never took the chance to attend one of her writing workshops some years ago.She was one of those authors whom everyone seems to love; an intelligent writer who expected you to reach up to her level when you were reading her books. Her stories of the Murray family and of the Austin family were integral parts of my teen years, and her adult books accompanied me into my adult years. I collected everything I could of her writings, and often reread favourites, like A Wrinkle in Time or A Ring of Endless Light. Other favourites include A Circle of Quiet and her very moving memoir of her marriage, Two-Part Invention.
She showed me that religion, or spirituality, could coexist with intelligence and education. I've taken to heart her observation that "physicists are the new mystics", and through her influence broadened my view of the world. She was always a comfort, and an inspiration.
Sad news. Lots of famous people dying of late. Or maybe it just seems that way.
ReplyDelete"She showed me that religion, or spirituality, could coexist with intelligence and education. "
ReplyDeleteI like this and think its very true - this was the focus of all her work and she accomplished this exploration with so much grace and success.
So sad.
I found her an inspiration, too. Thanks for the post :)
ReplyDeleteSo very sad. I just read about this today. The literary world lost a big one.
ReplyDeleteAnd to think I've only read Wrinkle in Time, and that was just this year. I was impressed and want to read more. Thanks for the suggestions and the nice memorial post.
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed to say that I haven't read anything by her but A Wrinkle in Time is going on the TBR stack now.
ReplyDeleteShe will be greatly missed.
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