Penguins and Golden Calves, Madeleine LEngle
Penguins and Golden Calves, Madeleine LEngle
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Penguins and Golden Calves
Icons and Idols in Antarctica and Other Unexpected Places

Author: Madeleine L'Engle, Charlotte Jones Voiklis

Narrator: Pamela Almand

Unabridged: 7 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download (DRM Protected)

Published: 09/18/2018

Synopsis

Despite protests and warnings from friends and family, author Madeleine L’Engle, at the age of seventy-four, embarked on a rafting trip to Antarctica. Her journey through the startling beauty of the continent led her to write Penguins and Golden Calves, a captivating discussion of how opening oneself up to icons, or everyday “windows to God,” leads to the development of a rich and deeply spiritual faith. Here, L’Engle explains how ordinary things such as family, words, the Bible, heaven, and even penguins can become such windows. She also shows how such a window becomes an idol–a penguin becomes a “golden calf”–when we see it as a reflection of itself instead of God. With delightful language, insightful metaphor, and personal stories, L’Engle brings readers to a deeper understanding of themselves, their faith, and the presence of God in their daily lives.

About Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L’Engle (1918–2007) was an American author of more than sixty books, including novels for children and adults, poetry, and religious meditations. Her best-known work, A Wrinkle in Time, one of the most beloved young adult books of the twentieth century and a Newbery Medal winner, has sold more than fourteen million copies since its publication in 1962. Her other novels include A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and A Ring of Endless Light. Born in New York City, L’Engle graduated from Smith College and worked in theater, where she met her husband, actor Hugh Franklin. L’Engle documented her marriage and family life in the four-book autobiographical series, the Crosswicks Journals. She also served as librarian and writer-in-residence at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in Manhattan for more than thirty years.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Apryl

Idols: an enticing concept, and L'Engle has sussed the situation. I felt as if she was preaching to the choir with this one, and at the same time, she had a decidedly saucy tone, as if she was looking to defend something.... It's pretty obvious that in doing all those writers' workshops and giving ta......more

Goodreads review by Paul

Madeleine L'Engle, an icon herself, ruminates on iconography and idolatry, the relationship between penguins (icons) and golden calves (idols) and how such particulars have played and worked out in her own writing life story. Preaching to the choir of art, faith, and mystery as well as trying to con......more

Goodreads review by Lindsay

Although this was scattered at a bit rambly at times, I can't deny how powerful much of its content is (especially the last third). This book was exactly what I needed at this time in my life. I love when that happens.......more

Goodreads review by Desiree

4.5 stars - I’ve yet to grow tired of Madeleine’s musings and tone, her stories or poetry or theological ramblings. She was brilliant and she was human in full and bright and beautiful ways that I’m grateful to be nourished by. This book is another that I’ll buy and be sure to re-read. Her different......more

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