Hope Larson captures the heart and soul of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time in this graphic novel adaptation. She remains true to the original story while at the same time giving it a new appeal. All the things I loved about the 1963 Newbery winner are reflected through the art and text. Meg Murray, her little brother Charles Wallace and their new friend Calvin O’Keefe journey through time and space to rescue Mr. Murray, who has been missing over a year. With the help of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, they tesser from planet to planet and battle the Dark Thing. Along the way they meet the Happy Medium, Aunt Beast and the horrible IT – a giant, pulsating brain that controls all thought and action on the planet Camazotz.
Crisp dialogue adapted from the original text moves the story forward. The other-worldly blue and black and white illustrations convey depths of emotion, especially through the expressive faces. The visual representation of tessering brings to life a concept that is difficult to get across through text alone. The contrast between light and dark emphasizes the battle between good and evil that rages across the universe – and within Meg’s own heart and mind.
This graphic novel adaptation provides an excellent introduction of L’Engle’s book to a new generation of readers. It is also a great way for old fans to revisit this classic science fiction novel in a fresh format. Either way, readers can rejoice in Larson’s visuals as well as L’Engle’s story.
– Kay McGriff
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel
by Madeleine L’Engle (author) and Hope Larson (illustrator)
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
2012, 392 pages, 6.4 x 8.9 x 1.4 inches
$16 Buy a copy on Amazon
See sample pages from this book at Wink.