A Swiftly Tilting Planet

Madeleine L'Engle

48 pages 1-hour read

Madeleine L'Engle

A Swiftly Tilting Planet

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1978

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Book Brief

Madeleine L'Engle

A Swiftly Tilting Planet

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1978
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Science Fiction

Children`s Literature

Fantasy
Setting

Earth • 1970s

Theme
War

Good & Evil

Religion & Spirituality
Publication Year

1978

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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Super Short Summary

In Madeleine L’Engle’s A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Charles Wallace Murray, now fifteen, is tasked with preventing a nuclear disaster threatened by a South American dictator. Guided by a unicorn, Gaudior, Charles travels through time and inhabits various people to alter historical events and ensure peace. Sensitive readers should note that the book depicts themes of violence and domestic abuse.

Fantastical

Adventurous

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.3

111,209 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Madeleine L'Engle's A Swiftly Tilting Planet is generally praised for its rich imagination and intricate storytelling. Readers appreciate its blend of science fiction and fantasy, as well as its deep exploration of themes like time travel and interconnectedness. However, some find the plot complex and challenging to follow, detracting from overall enjoyment.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Swiftly Tilting Planet?

Readers who enjoy A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle are often fans of young adult fantasy with deep moral and philosophical inquiries. They might also appreciate titles like A Wrinkle in Time and The Golden Compass, which feature complex characters, time travel, and cosmic battles between good and evil.

4.3

111,209 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

A 15-year-old with a profound gift for deep telepathic communication, embarking on a time-traveling mission to protect his family and the world.

A unicorn who assists Charles Wallace, providing guidance and transportation through time with a focus on cosmic harmony.

Initially a peripheral figure, her mysterious connection to an ancient rune sets the story’s events in motion.

Charles Wallace’s older sister, now pregnant, who supports him through a telepathic bond as he undertakes his quest.

A 19th-century author whose selflessness plays a key role in the unfolding historical narrative.

A family of scientists and siblings, providing a supportive and stable backdrop to Charles Wallace’s extraordinary journey.

Manifests of cosmic evil known as the Echthroi, aiming to destroy the harmony of the universe.

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Science Fiction

Children`s Literature

Fantasy
Setting

Earth • 1970s

Theme
War

Good & Evil

Religion & Spirituality
Publication Year

1978

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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