In the Book Review section of the Sunday’s NYT, Pamela Paul’s essay entitled “I Was a Sci-Fi Heroine” touches on several interesting points. She reminds us that Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery classic, “A Wrinkle in Time”, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Paul also discusses how difficult it was to get the book published and how unlike most science fiction, it was a crossover hit with both boys and girls. L’Engle’s trilogy might, however, be one of the exceptions. According to a study quoted in the article, girls/women are not fans of science fiction. Why? She suggests that one reason might be the “boyness of the covers” with brutal images of fire and destruction.
Paul further reminds us that science fiction is not about science alone. Science fiction books delve into political, social, and theological issues. Subjects that both men and women want to read about. “A Wrinkle in Time” is a great example of how L’Engle wove all of these ideas into a true timeless classic without a vampire in sight.
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