Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved 1962 classic blends science fiction, fantasy, and a deeply human story of courage into one of the most enduring children’s novels ever written. Meg Murry’s search for her missing scientist father pulls her across the universe and straight into the heart of what it means to fight for the people you love. It’s a strange, tender, idea-rich adventure that has held readers spellbound for generations.
Listen to A Wrinkle in Time Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeWhat A Wrinkle in Time is about
Meg Murry is a bright but frustrated girl who feels out of step with everyone around her, especially since her physicist father disappeared without explanation. When three mysterious visitors arrive at the Murry home, Meg, her gifted younger brother Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin are swept into a journey that bends space and time in pursuit of the truth about her father’s fate.
What follows is a voyage across worlds both wondrous and unsettling, where the children confront a force that threatens far more than one family. L’Engle weaves real scientific curiosity together with fairy-tale wonder and big questions about love, individuality, and conformity. First published in 1962, the novel remains a touchstone of mid-century children’s literature, prized for taking young readers seriously and trusting them with ideas most books shy away from.
| Author | Madeleine L'Engle |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9780307916587 |
| List price | $18.00 |
Why A Wrinkle in Time is great on audio
On audio, the story’s mix of cozy domestic warmth and cosmic strangeness comes alive, and the rhythm of L’Engle’s prose carries you smoothly through its more abstract, idea-driven passages. It’s an excellent listen for families sharing a story together, with imagery vivid enough to spark a younger imagination and themes rich enough to hold an adult’s attention. The relatively gentle pacing makes it easy to follow without losing the sense of mounting wonder and tension.
Who should listen
Reach for this if you love classic children’s literature, imaginative science fantasy, or a heartfelt coming-of-age story with real intellectual ambition. It suits listeners revisiting a childhood favorite as much as newcomers of any age. Readers who want hard science fiction, fast-paced action, or gritty realism may find its earnest, philosophical tone not quite their speed.
If you like A Wrinkle in Time, listen to these next
- Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
How to get the A Wrinkle in Time audiobook free
Yes — the easiest way to get the A Wrinkle in Time audiobook free is with an Audiobooks.com free trial. Your first audiobook is free, so you can listen to A Wrinkle in Time during the 30-day trial and cancel anytime.
Listen to A Wrinkle in Time Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeFrequently asked questions
Is A Wrinkle in Time appropriate for children?
Yes. It’s a classic children’s novel written for middle-grade readers, though its themes of love, courage, and standing up to conformity resonate with adults too. A few eerie, suspenseful moments make it a great shared family listen.
How can I get the A Wrinkle in Time audiobook free?
You can listen to the A Wrinkle in Time audiobook free by starting an Audiobooks.com free trial, which gives you your first audiobook free to enjoy during a 30-day trial, and you can cancel anytime. Keep in mind that only audiobooks you purchase are kept after you cancel.
Do I need to read science fiction to enjoy it?
Not at all. While it plays with ideas like space, time, and dimensions, the heart of the book is a relatable family story. You don’t need any science background to follow along and enjoy the adventure.
Is this the first book in a series?
Yes. A Wrinkle in Time opens a sequence of related novels by Madeleine L’Engle following the Murry family, but it stands completely on its own as a satisfying, self-contained story.