An Acceptable Time

The thing that first pricked my interest to read this book was a negative review about it written, I think, in a library journal. We all know that writers in library journals have axes to grind since a good review guarantees that most libraries will stock the book. Look at the [books] in libraries these days (and pity kids looking for something to read) and you'll see my point. The fact that some knucklehead didn't like this book wouldn't normally have swayed me, but like many detractors she went too far, and described it in order to slam it. Just her description of the story, which she found "far-fetched," convinced me of two things: she had no imagination, and this sounded like a great book. No, I'm not being fair to the reviewer, who perhaps simply had no taste for L'Engle's brand of fantasy, but man, did she make me want to read this book.Like many L'Engle books this one starts slow. Not put-the-book down slow but unpretentious, unassuming, making no attempt to hide the narration. No plunging into the plot, nothing blowing up, not at all Hollywood. Almost too obvious to keep reading. Almost. Almost too simple and kid-level. Almost. But a couple pages in and I couldn't put it down. An Acceptable Time ranks as one of my all-time great reading experiences, hot on the heels of L'Engle's amazing, awe-inspiring Many Waters. The sad thing is that Many Waters features as the fourth book of the Time Quartet, but no one knows that An Acceptable Time is the fifth. Take hope oh forlorn reader--you who have finished Many Waters and long for more L'Engle--another reading experience of great power and wonder yet awaits you.

Received on time, as described. No problems.

Upon finding out there was a 5th book in Madeleine L'Engle's time series i never knew about, I immediately ordered it. I regret everything.Im a painful 96 pages into 367 and i hate it so much. I knew i hated it by page 50 but im REALLY trying, out of nostalgia for her earlier books in the series. I mean...Wrinkle in Time is iconic, right?Maybe its because im adult but...her pseudo-science mixed with the anachronistic historical plot...with just a tad of Eurocentrism? Yikes.A: Druids in New England 3000 years ago training Native Americans, just why?B: Mountains looking noticably softer and more worn in 3000 years, yeah no. Geological time is looooong.C: Ogam as more of a spoken than written language. Nope it was a written alphabet for a different spoken language.D: Samhain as a holiday being celebrated before written history - questionable.Lastly, the writing is...just not great for an adult. May a tween? Just dont buy this for any kid who actually knows history.

This was another great story in the series! It kept me turning the pages until I reached the end of the book! I was sad that it was the end but I will be looking forward to reading other books by Madeleine L’Engle. She has a wonderful imagination and her books are well written!

I would recommend this book to anyone who lack faith and understanding of love. Love is selfless and a team player. Without love, darkness prevails; with shame and guilt. Polly is an example of how to love even through fear. A great message to hold onto.