Customer Reviews

Madeleine L'Engle Herself: Reflections on a Writing Life (Writers' Palette)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I somehow missed reading L'Engle's childrens books when I was young, so my first introduction to the works of Madeleine L'Engle was the Crosswicks Journals collection. This book is along the same lines as her other nonfiction; not only is the reader delighted by her extraordinary interpretations and observations, but the reader is also privy to the idiosyncratic personality of M.L'E. "Reflections on a Writing Life" is composed of short selections; while each is complete in itself, i found myself wishing for her longer musiings. But that is the only reason I give the book four rather than five starts. Highly recommended for those who enjoy Madeleine.

I've read L'Engle's fiction, but this is the first non-fiction by her that I have read. It's a lengthy collection of very short pieces -- nearly all are one page or less. A lot of depth is packed into the pieces, though. I'll often read just one or two before going to bed at night, and I'll have an idea or thought to reflect on as I'm falling asleep, and the next day. Many are thoughts on writing, but could be applied to any art. All are thoughts on life.

Any person of a spiritual bent who is interested in writing would benefit greatly by reading this book. Not purporting to be a full course in "creative writing", these short one- and two-page excerpts from lectures and other works are inspirational to the budding author. L'Engle is a strong believer in the power of story, in allowing the characters in the story to take the author to unexpected places, in "serving the work", and in the belief that there is no difference in writing for children or adults. Biblical inerrantists may stumble a little at her theology (she seems to be somewhat neo-orthodox), but that should not hinder the creative Christian and non-Christian alike from gleaning much wisdom from this book.

As a writer, I am challenged and encouraged by L'Engle's storytelling. She evokes emotion and images, fantasy and reality...all with a seeming effortlessness.

In "Reflections on a Writing Life," we see into the heart and mind of this incredible woman. We discover the amount of work that goes into her writing, and, along the way, we realize that this 'work' is really a process of letting go.

Each section can be read in a minute and mulled over for days. This is deep and rich food for thought. Artists and creative people of all sorts can find enrichment in L'Engle's shared wisdom. I recommend heartily this mine of daily gold.

A writer's dream of a book that could only come from Madeleine L'Engle herself! This collection comes mostly from L'Engle's nonfiction books and since I happened to have most of them, much of this book seemed a little redundant and like I've read it all before. But, it would be the perfect gift for any serious writer who takes characters, words and story as seriously as they should be taken. A wonderful gem of a book that no working writer or struggling writer or unpublished/published writer should be without. Trust me on this one.

The compiler (a fine writer herself), Carole F. Chase, knows Madeleine's work like no other. The reading selections collected and brilliantly edited here will inspire and motivate anyone who writes. Besides her own substantial corpus of work (more than 40 books of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction), L'Engle is widely known for her writing seminars and workshops -- she has lived the writer's life for more than 60 years; always working to 'serve her gift'. But, she has also laboured long and hard to help others serve their gifts as fruitfully. Chase, L'Engle's best biographer, met the famous author years ago and knows her teaching on writing well. The selections which make up this great book come from many unpublished sources and constitute the best of L'Engle's teaching/coaching/mentoring on good writing and the writer's life. I have shared this book with several of my writing friends and have yet to encounter a less than enthusiastic response. My five-star assessment comes from rigid standards and sober contemplation. Quite simply, the book EARNS it. Besides Julia Cameron's THE ARTIST'S WAY, and Rilke's LETTERS TO A POET, this is the most significant writing book on my shelves.

If you are a writer in need of a spiritual and creative lift, this book is for you. Madeline L'Engle has been through it all, and these short, inspiring passages give you something to think about--and think about again. It is definitely the type of book you will read over and over, and it will give you a whole new outlook on your own writing life.

Not so much of a memoir as a collection of thoughts. I read it a section at a time, front to back, while keeping a reading journal at the same time. Madeleine L'Engle has some striking and moving ideas that reshaped my vision of myself as a writer and as a Christian. She's a remarkable woman, and this is sort of a 'best of' collection.