Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?

by Madeleine L'Engle

"Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?" is Madeleine L'Engle's spirited defense of the responsibility of children's literature to confront difficult questions, as she did in all her work, particularly her masterpiece A Wrinkle in Time. This e-book contains the text of her famous speech as well as her introduction to the twenty-fifth anniversary of A Wrinkle in Time, original reviews, and a facsimile of a chapter from the original manuscript with Madeleine’s notations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Essays, Biography, Religion

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2012

About the author

Madeleine L'Engle was an American writer of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels: A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time. Her works reflect both her Christian faith and her strong interest in modern science.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite quote from the speech: "The stories I cared about I read and reread, were usually stories which dared to disturb the universe which asked questions rather than gave answers."

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Madeleine L'Engle like I do, this memoir-like "speech" and then thoughts on how A Wrinkle In Time came into being, is fascinating indeed.

Ms. L'Engle writes about the responsibility of writing for children, about crushing rejections, about how she came up with Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, and then, like treasure at the end, the *actual* manuscript pages of the first chapter (including editor's penciled-in edits) of A Wrinkle In Time.

A fascinating peek into the mind of a great and timeless writer.

[Matt Gaither · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real short, like one-sitting short, but good. She certainly didn't take the task of writing children's books lightly. I'd be interested to read more from her on the subject.

[Rachel Fawcett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate L'Engle's honest and sharp reflections that still resonate today, especially with society's ongoing penchant for culture wars and the strict sorting of people and their perceived beliefs into boxes. Let us take heart from her charge and live in humility and curiosity. "So let us look for beauty and grace, for love and friendship, for that which is creative and birth-giving and soul-stretching. Let us date to laugh at ourselves, healthy, affirmative laughter. Only when we take ourselves lightly can we take ourselves really seriously, so that we are given the courage to say, 'Yes! I dare disturb the universe.'"

[Jack Heller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Essays and a Facsimile

One essay is about the danger people have thought resides in children's literature. The second essay is an introduction written for the 25th anniversary of A Wrinkle in Time. The book is definitely > the movie. The facsimile is of the manuscript first chapter of Wrinkle. I got this cheaply for the Kindle, $2.13. Short and interesting.

[Rhea Bohall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Madeleine and this short read sheds light on why. She wrote for children with an understanding of how important her words could be in helping to shape lives. And she knew that they would need to be thinkers and to see the world with open eyes. So inspirational to me-a reminder why it’s important to be a disturber of the universe.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dare to disturb

A great speech witch encourages both creativity, learning language and conceptual understanding. There is also a preface of the 1983 edition of A Wrinkle in Time which shares the history of ow it came to publication.

[Elizabeth S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As relevant today as when she first gave it as a speech

I have always loved L’Engle’s works and this speech was no different. Go out , find it, read it. It has something to say to us even after 35 years.

[Susan Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

On writers of book 'for children'

Have the courage to disturb the universe by writing good books, not writing down for children. If a book isn't good enough for adults, it's not good enough for younger readers either! And sometimes those younger readers are more perceptive.

[Carla (There Might Be Cupcakes Podcast) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would read her grocery list, to be honest. This speech and this essay are both brilliant.

Meeting her was one of the best days of my life, and the best day of my childhood. She treated little me like I was the only person in the room, holding my hand in both of hers.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ❤💖❤Madeleine L'Engle!!! This VERY short read is a real gem!

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I wish they had printed an edition of this so I could own it

[Jessica Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pretty much agree with and admire everything Madeleine L'Engle writes and this is no exception. A quick little read with some very deep thoughts about the important and serious task of writing the truth for children. Using mainly her experience with writing and publishing "A Wrinkle in Time", she addresses the importance of asking difficult questions, acknowledging that sometimes children are more equipped to handle them than adults. A lovely way to spend an hour or so..

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We think because we have words, not the other way around, and the greater our vocabulary, the greater our ability to think conceptually. The first people a dictator puts in jail after a coup are the writers, the teachers, the librarians—because these people are dangerous. They have enough vocabulary to recognize injustice and to speak out loudly about it. Let us have the courage to go on being dangerous people.”

[Carrie Goodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful.

[Emily Briano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read for any fan of L'Engle or A Wrinkle in Time

[Anne Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent. I love Madeleine L'Engle's writing and this is no exception. She challenges me to rethink what I know of the world and to look at things from an entirely different perspective.