Once a self-proclaimed atheist, Madeleine L’Engle later became a devout Christian, primarily attending Episcopal churches. “Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys,” she wrote. Her literary works are filled with religious references, but she has been condemned by some Christians. When A Wrinkle in Time was published, conservative Christians accused her of promoting witchcraft and the occult. The book has been banned frequently for this reason. One passage in particular troubles some Christian readers, as it seems to suggest that Jesus was just one of many talented and holy people, including him in a list with Bach, Buddha, and Einstein. Nonetheless, the book was and is very popular, and won a Newbery Medal the year after it was published. On Thursday, Disney is releasing a film adaptation of the book.
The Washington Post has written an excellent exploration of L’Engle’s faith and her critical reception. It can be found here. Vox also has a fantastic article comparing the religious underpinnings of A Wrinkle in Time with its more secular film adaptation. That can be found here.