Author MADELEINE L’ENGLE
Publisher SHAW BOOKS
ISBN 0877882916
This trilogy is available in one volume or singly. And It was Good; A Stone for a Pillow and Sold into Egypt make up the three separate books. They were written by L’Engle in the 1980’s and the last one during the period of her husband Hugh’s passing. She is better known for her children’s stories and these books are her thoughts and ponderings on the events narrated in the book of Genesis. During her life time she was somewhat castigated by the Christian Evangelical community because she did not evidence a clear evangelical line of doctrine, so much so that a number of Christian Bookshops refused to sell her books. She was an Episcopalian, an author and lecturer and her enquiring mind enjoyed scientific considerations as well as Christian doctrine and Biblical themes. There is no way that these books can be called a commentary on the Book of Genesis, rather, she uses the story line of Genesis to bring out wide ranging considerations in which she shares a good deal of her wisdom along with lots of personal anecdotes. She writes somewhat in the style of an elderly grandmother sharing with her children and grandchildren or an auntie with her nieces and nephews. This will not suit everyone, those seeking for doctrinal exactitude will not find it here, but there are plenty of nuggets in the these chapters, fresh insights into some of the events narrated in Genesis and helpful commentary on the contemporary world scene of the eighties, still pertinent now. In some ways L’Engle wears her heart on her sleeve, especially as she shares her reactions and feelings concerning her homes in Crosswicks and New York and further exposes her heart as she faced the illness and death of her husband Hugh. He was an actor by background, she a highly intelligent woman and committed Christian, all this adds up to wide ranging, personal, thoughtful and, at bottom, helpful literature coming from a godly framework. She continues to have quite a large enthusiastic number of readers and these books would be suitable reading to share with children ten years or upwards into their teens. They would provoke discussion in the family circle, both on living as family and Christian things and Bible knowledge from Genesis.
