The Small Rain
by Madeleine L’Engle
It seems fitting, with her death still so very recent, that my next book for the 11 Decades challenge is Madeleine L’Engle’s first published novel.
It takes place in a slightly romanticized New York, and traces the story of Katherine, a brilliant pianist, and Sarah, and aspiring actress, friends of a sort, though the latter is painted rather unsympathetically.
L’Engle delves in to all sorts of subjects: sex, religion, love, growing up, and the artistic personality - as she shares with us Katherine’s journey from teen to young adult.
The story does not end with all romances happily tied up, but it does continue in the sequel, A Severed Wasp, which holds resolutions that are satisfying, if not perfectly tidy.
11 Decades, General, Madeleine L'Engle | Melissa | Sunday: 23 September 2007
By Kristen, Saturday: 29 September 2007 @ 3:57 pm
I was just reading Camilla by L’Engle the other day and wishing that it was anywhere near as good as The Small Rain, so when I saw this review in my browsing I had to pop in and say hello. This is one of my favorite books. I thought it dealt really well in particular with the artistic personality, as you put it.
By Greg Roy, Wednesday: 30 April 2008 @ 11:46 am
Thanks for the book review. I like fantasy fiction and have always been a fan of L’Engle’s sci-fi work, but never thought to delve into her other novels. I bet I’d like it still, but the Wrinkle In Time series is gonna be one heck of a thing to beat! We shall see…