A Wrinkle In Time

Having finished A Wrinkle In Time last week, I can say that this novel was my least favorite of the novels read for Engl 387. I can understand how the plot would be interesting because it consists of the mysteries of time and space and what exists outside of our on world on earth. This part was interesting for me, but overall I thought that the plot and characters did not coincide with my idea of what "freaks" and "geeks" are. I admit I do not have a specific definition in mind and having read all these novels, I realize there may not be a definition, but I enjoyed much more the novels that spoke about what "freaks" and "geeks" mean in relation to the world and societies within the world and am less concerned about "freakishness" outside of our atmosphere. The book, as a whole, as unsatisfying for me, but that might also be because of the juvenile style of the novel, since it is a children book.

After finishing A Wrinkle in Time, I went back to Geek Love since I was not able to finish it earlier in the semester. Geek Love really touched me in the area of family love and family drama. At the end of the novel I was really frustrated by the characters in Oly's family including Oly herself. How Arty controlled every aspect in their lives was frustrating and I kept hoping that Oly would escape from Arty and define her own life. This concept of escapism is reminiscent of Never Let Me Go. While reading this novel I kept hoping that the "students" would escape from the set life from them, but it never happened. This got me thinking that maybe it is more difficult to be a "freak" and escape into "normal" society. It is difficult for "normal" individuals to branch out and define themselves and even harder to become an obvious individual different from the people who surround you. I guess if you are already othered from society and are accepted in a little group of people who are similar to yourself, it would be harder to branch off. Sill, I kept hoping Oly would. I also felt very sorry for the twins because it seemed like they had so much potential and Arty was very successful to stifle it.

The books in Engl 387 made me think a lot about what it means and what it might be like to be othered. None of the books, however, seemed to have a happy ending and because of this, I think that the books were more insightful and real. I am excited to delve into my research essay and learn more about the different sides and experiences of being "freaks" and "geeks".