The Weather of the Heart (Wheaton Literary) [Paperback]

Madeleine L'Engle (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wheaton Literary | Publication Date: March 7, 2000

Madeleine L'Engle bids us, in her own words, to "sit at sacrament" with her "across a strange and distant table." It is a paschal event, a meal of rememberence.

Where her own hurt is cruciform, we are the more alive. When she admits arrogance in Gethsemane, we, too, remember glutting on unleavened loaves. But as she herself declares:

"Never was a feast finer than this. Come, eat and drink, unfreeze and live." --Calvin Miller, author of The Singer Trilogy

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Madeleine L'Engle was the author of more than forty-five books for all ages, among them the beloved A Wrinkle in Time, awarded the Newbery Medal; A Ring of Endless Light, a Newbery Honor Book; A Swiftly Tilting Planet, winner of the American Book Award; and the Austin family series of which Troubling a Star is the fifth book. L'Engle was named the 1998 recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards award, honoring her lifetime contribution in writing for teens.

Ms. L'Engle was born in 1918 in New York City. She wrote her first book, The Small Rain, while touring with Eva Le Gallienne in Uncle Harry. She met Hugh Franklin, to whom she was married until his death in 1986, while they were rehearsing The Cherry Orchard, and they were married on tour during a run of The Joyous Season, starring Ethel Barrymore.

Ms. L'Engle retired from the stage after her marriage, and the Franklins moved to northwest Connecticut and opened a general store. After a decade in Connecticut, the family returned to New York.

After splitting her time between New York City and Connecticut and acting as the librarian and writer-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Madeleine L’Engle died on September 7, 2007 at the age of 88.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Shaw Books (March 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877889317
• ISBN-13: 978-0877889311
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.3 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Madeleine L'Engle, the popular author of many books for children and adults, has interspersed her writing and teaching career with raising three children, maintaining an apartment in New York and a farmhouse of charming confusion which is called "Crosswicks."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a find!, January 10, 2001

By 

Just-a-girl "abc-survivors.net" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Weather of the Heart (Wheaton Literary) (Paperback)

It took me a while to discover that Ms. L'Engle has published two books of poetry. I loved her first as a child, when my mind was fascinated by supernatural wonders in time and space. Recently I discovered her adult novels, and finally this book of poetry.

This poetry covers a range of topics, and many of the poems cover Bible stories and Biblical themes. But it is not sing-songy, watered-down, cliche, or boring by any means. You'll see the world through the eyes of a parrot (and will be taught something of humanity in that poem) and through the eyes of the mother of Jesus. The poetic devices are used beautifully, especially internal rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration. There are some surprises here. A couple of the poems are very brief (only five short lines), and you'll be surprised how much a few words can say. I found myself laughing out loud several times. I kept going over to my husband and insisting that I must read him another poem.

This poetry has encouraged me to continue writing myself. I am hoping to learn through osmosis here, so I am reading these works over and over again. They teach so much about form, style, vocabulary, and wit. There are unsuspected twists and so many different subjects here. Find this book if you enjoy L'Engle or if you enjoy excellent poetry! Many of these poems will be like water for your soul, the cold refreshing water of depth, love, and laughter.