A Wrinkle in Time is a fast-paced adventure tale enlivened by a memorable cast of characters. A masterful writer who infuses the novel with suspense and emotion, L'Engle is also a devout Christian whose own search for a workable system of beliefs underpins this story. She makes use of symbols and allusions that clearly indicate that she is telling a story of the struggle between absolute good and absolute evil. L'Engle draws on a rich literary heritage, including the Bible, John Milton's Paradise Lost, and the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. The universe of A Wrinkle in Time is an imaginative one, populated by unconventional beings; L'Engle's use of characters drawn from myth and fairy tales reflects her interest in finding new ways to express traditional Christian concerns.

Not only does L'Engle deal sensitively with religious philosophy, she also has...