
The Moment of Tenderness
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Narrated by:
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Caitlin Davies
About this listen
Discover stories that inspire a "great capacity for wonder" (New York Times) from the beloved author of A Wrinkle in Time: named one of the spring's most anticipated books (Good Housekeeping), this collection transcends generational divides to highlight the power of hope and joy.
This powerful collection of short stories traces an emotional arc inspired by Madeleine L'Engle's early life and career, from her lonely childhood in New York to her life as a mother in small-town Connecticut. In a selection of 18 stories discovered by one of L'Engle's granddaughters, we see how L'Engle's personal experiences and abiding faith informed the creation of her many cherished works.
Some of these stories have never been published; others were refashioned into scenes for her novels and memoirs. Almost all were written in the 1940s and '50s, from Madeleine's college years until just before the publication of A Wrinkle in Time.
From realism to science-fiction to fantasy, there is something for everyone in this magical collection.
Most anticipated by The Millions • Time • Salon • The Lily • BookRiot • PopSugar • Gizmodo • Bustle • Tor • SheReads • Parade • The Christian Science Monitor
©2020 Madeleine L'Engle (P)2020 Grand Central PublishingListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"[These stories] appear to the reader like stars . . . The Moment of Tenderness reflects not only L'Engle's growth as a writer but her search for her own personal philosophy, one that ultimately recognized opportunity and authenticity in nonconformity . . . L'Engle shared with her readers her great capacity for wonder, and her refreshingly earnest desire to tunnel deep inside the human heart and expose its power to generate and regenerate hope and love—even in the face of eviscerating darkness."—New York Times
"Unique and powerful . . . these stories are lovely in their own right. There is beauty in their simplicity and intrigue in the depth of the characters' pain."—Associated Press