A Ring of Endless Light (Austin Family)
by Madeleine L'Engle

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Book Reviews of A Ring of Endless Light (Austin Family)

Book Review: ms wallender
Summary: 5 Stars

In Madeleine L'Engle's A Ring of Endless Light, main character Vicky Austin discovers many new aspects of life in a single summer. She is sixteen and already holds many responsibilities. Vicky becomes paralyzed with a fear of death when a close family friend is buried, and even more so when a small child dies in her arms in a hospital waiting room. She eventually discovers, however, that death is simply another part of life, and through new friends and a strong family Vicky stays tough and helps others cope.
A Ring of Endless Light is engaging and well written, conveying highly believable emotions to the reader. L'Engle uses poetry and metaphor in an effective manor to express the cruel wonder of the world. Vicky's relationships with her family and friends were believable as well, and overall the format of the book really worked nicely and made you want to continue reading.
In the story, Vicky participates in a study her brother's friend Adam is doing on dolphins. These sections of the book were intriguing, because Vicky has the ability to communicate with the dolphins themselves. This kind of communication seems to be a theme throughout the book, but in a spiritual more than "science-fictiony" way. The ocean also works its way into many of the strongest metaphors of the book, as the house the Austin's stay in is right on the coast.
Vicky struggles with relationships throughout the entire book, which adds to the believability of the plot. There are three different "young men" in her life, all very different. There is Zachary, the wealthy yet troubled boy who wishes to show Vicky a life of country clubs and expensive banquets. Then there is Leo, a sad, slobbery child at heart with more needs than Vicky knows how to attend to. Finally there's Adam, the educated older friend who works at the marine biology station. The three are all connected to her, and most need more than Vicky has to offer.
Overall, I found A Ring of Endless Light to be an expertly crafted work, filled with tangled emotions and interesting twists. Love and death entwine each other, and only by reading the book can you find which feelings overcome others. I would recommend this book and others in the series to anyone looking to go on a roller coaster ride of emotions that are not their own, but striking just the same.

Summary of A Ring of Endless Light (Austin Family)

Marine Life Books

• Subjects > Children's Books > Animals > Marine Life
• Social Situations > Family Life > Multigenerational
• Death & Dying
• Literature & Fiction