A bit of ZEN

Such a balm this is
From her loathing of dishes
The years you‘re not your own
Emily Brontë 
The importance of birthdays
The importance of doing your art 
It‘s just so good
Reading it slowly

A Circle of Quiet

Set against the lush backdrop of Crosswicks, her family’s farmhouse in rural Connecticut, this deeply personal memoir details Madeleine L’Engle’s journey to find balance between her career as a Newbery Medal–winning author and her responsibilities as a wife, mother, teacher, and Christian.

As she considers the roles that creativity, family, citizenship, and faith play in her life, L’Engle reveals the complexities behind the author whose works—honored with the National Book Award, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and countless other prizes—have long been cherished by children and adults alike. Written in simple, profound, and often humorous prose, A Circle of Quiet is an insightful woman’s elegant search for the meaning and purpose of her life.

Originally published in 1972.

Related Articles