A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel

by Madeleine L'Engle (adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson)
published: Margaret Ferguson Books
pages: 392

Meg and Charles Wallace Murry go on an extraordinary adventure to find their father.  With the help of their friend Calvin O'Keefe and the three crazy old ladies that live in the haunted house, they travel across time and space in order to find and help their father.  Along the way, they meet many being and face challenges that test their friendship and their love for one another.  And when all seems lost who will be the one to step up to attempt to solve the crisis and save the universe?

It's been a while since I last read this book and I can say for a fact that the graphic novel version of this story is an entirely different reading experience. Of course, the story is basically the same but having it come to life in the form of art is something delightful and engaging.  I really enjoyed the visual journey that I got to share with the characters in the story.  It felt intimate and strange at the same time.  It's not every day, one sees a childhood favorite turned into a graphic novel.

The art is beautiful, exemplifying certain aspect of the light and darkness in the story itself through the pictures only black and white, with a hint of blue.  All the art is entirely in shades of darkness, the contrast is stunning and brings a new light to the story itself.  Sometimes the art looked like it was carved out of black and other times it felt as though the scenes were carved from white.  I found myself looking at the artwork, caught up in it's simplicity and the care with which each image was crafted.

The only thing I wish I could have seen was more of the story.  Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed this adaptation but I would have loved to see more, or maybe that's me just itching to reread the book now.  Anyway, I am glad I stumbled across it.

Stars: 4/5

Praise:

"This adaptation is fabulous for presenting a fresh vision to those familiar with the original, but it's so true to the story's soul that even those who;ve never read it will come away with a a genuine understanding of L'Engle's ideas and heart."
     -- Booklist, starred review

"Larson has remained true to the sotry, preserving the original chapter format and retaining L'Engle's voice.  Black-and-white artwork is accented with blue, echoing the original cover color."
     -- School Library Journal

"Know somebody who hasn't met Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs Who or Mrs Which?  Larson's colorful panels bring Madeleine L'Engle's brilliant time-travel favorite to life in an exciting new way.  This is page-turning eye candy of the highest order."
     -- James Patterson

This is an Eclectic Read 2014 Challenge book!