November 29, 1918

Madeleine L'Engle (November 29, 1918 to September 6, 2007) had a rare ability to speak to audiences with both religious and scientific concerns. Does the fact her books are categorized as children's or young adult explain her unique niche? Explain of course is not the word I want. L'Engle said she liked cats and dogs, but her biography suggests dogs were her favorite pets.

The April 12, 2004 issue of the New Yorker had a nice interview with our subject. Apparently her kids did not forget portrayals in her books they felt revealed too intimate of details.

The Meet the Austins series is typical in mentioning cats, like one named Prunewhip, who is exceptionally ugly. I myself cannot imagine an ugly cat.

In a book, Listening for Madeleine: A Portrait of Madeleine L'Engle in Many Voices (Leonard S. Marcus, 2012) where various friends recall the author, one notes that she let cats get on the table, and lick food. One of those interviewed is Thomas Cahill, the noted author. L'Engle had invested a large amount of money in a company he started, and then she lost it all when the company failed. She would not let him apologize, "It is only money," she told him. Cahill said this response "was one of the most extraordinarily generous things anyone had ever done for me."

That may be part of her appeal: a genuine ability to integrate your words and your actions. That is not common.