Madeleine L'Engle

Stella Renier visits her husband's family estate and becomes involved in family and racial conflicts which lead toward inevitable tragedy

A Novel

The Other Side of the Sun

From the National Book Award–winning author of A Wrinkle in Time, an atmospheric novel of a young British bride in the American South after the Civil War. When nineteen-year-old Stella marries Theron Renier, she has no idea what kind of clan she’s joined. Soon after their arrival at Illyria, the Reniers’ rambling beachside home, Theron is sent on a diplomatic mission, leaving Stella alone with his family. As she tries to settle into her new life, Stella quickly discovers that the Reniers are not what they seem. Trapped in a world unlike anything she’s ever known, vulnerable Stella attempts to uncover her new family’s dangerous secrets—and stirs up a darkness that was meant to stay buried. From the beloved, National Book Award–winning author of A Wrinkle in Time, The Other Side of the Sun showcases Madeleine L’Engle’s talent for involving and suspenseful storytelling. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Madeleine L’Engle including rare images from the author’s estate.

Janet Doré

"You try to smother our anger with kindness, and you simply fail to see that what we need most of all right now is an object on which to pour out our resentment and our sense of frustration and anguish, and most of all our feeling of non-value which you’ve beaten into us all these years—”

Hands down one of my favorite quotes in this book. And, what an interesting book! 

If you're a fan of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, you'll want to give this historical fiction novel by Madeleine L'Engle a try.

Set in the South just after the end of the Civil War, it's the mysterious story of a young woman who marries into a former slave owning family who were at odds over their views about slavery and how people of color were being treated. 

In true Madeleine L'Engle style, the story has a magical aura and amazing character development. 

This was one of those times I just picked up a book solely because of who the author was, so I went into it blind. I had no idea that slavery and the treatment of black people just after the Civil War would be the heart of this story. (As I actively work at tempering my white privilege, I was very happy that it was!) This is one of those books where it's crucial to remember the historical context—of both the setting of the story and the time it was written. In the story, slavery had literally just been abolished, everything was in upheaval, the line between the anti-slavery folks and the slavery advocates was definitely not set or anywhere near black and white, and the "white savior" role is prominent. This aspect of the story felt realistic to me. 

My one significant disappointment will not be a disappointment for all. As I was reading, I noticed a subtle Christian slant...similar to C.S. Lewis' Narnia series. This was confirmed when I read Madeleine's bio at the end of the book. She was very involved in the church and Christianity is an influence on all of her writing, even A Wrinkle in Time, which was banned for its anti-Christian elements. Just not my thing, but it was subtle enough not to ruin the book for me.

The Other Side of the Sun A Novel

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