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A House Like a Lotus
A House Like a Lotus | Madeleine L'Engle
4 posts | 11 read | 6 to read
Sixteen-year-old Polly is on her way to the island of Cyprus, where she will work as a gofer. The trip was arranged by Maximiliana Horne, a rich, brilliant artist who, with her longtime companion, Dr. Ursula Heschel, recently became the O'Keefe family's neighbor on Benne Seed Island. Max and Polly formed an instant friendship and Max took over Polly's education, giving her the encouragement and confidence that her isolated upbringing had not. Polly adored Max, even idolized her, until Max betrayed her. In Greece, Polly finds romance, danger, and unique friendships. But can she ever forgive Max?
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review
BarbaraJean
BarbaraJean
A House Like a Lotus | Madeleine L'Engle
post image
Mehso-so

I‘m so torn about this book...and not because of the cheesy 80s teen romance cover.😆The structure is beautifully done—alternating between flashbacks & a present-day narrative during which Polly reflects on & processes events of the prior months. The depth of L‘Engle‘s insight into this almost-17-year-old (who is incredibly mature in some ways and incredibly naive in others) is wonderful. And yet I found parts of the narrative very troubling. ⤵️

BarbaraJean Cont‘d: The age of the two love interests—and the way both were presented as normal “dates” for a 16-year-old—was VERY problematic to me. One of the two is insufferable, rich, entitled, and almost creepily pushy, yet I found the other sweet & caring guy to be even more problematic. I can‘t get on board with a narrative that doesn‘t interrogate the problems inherent in two 20-something young men pursuing a 16-year-old girl in the way these two do. 5y
BarbaraJean I got so caught up in my mixed feelings over this book that I forgot to note this is book 10/12 completed for #bookfitnesschallenge! 5y
Johanna414 I remember feeling really uncomfortable with this very thing when I read this as a young teen. “Why is everyone she dates so old?!” Even at 13 or 14 I could see that the one boy took advantage of her. It was probably my least favorite of her books (I was obsessed with her), but it made an impression! 5y
42 likes3 comments
quote
BarbaraJean
BarbaraJean
A House Like a Lotus | Madeleine L'Engle
post image

...There is as much in that little space within the heart as there is in the whole world outside...
Some people close their doors and lock them so that nothing can come in, and the space cannot hold anything as long as the heart clutches in self-protection or lust or greed. But if we‘re not afraid, that little space can be so large that one could put a whole universe in it and still have room for more.

33 likes
quote
againsthesky19
againsthesky19
A House Like a Lotus | Madeleine L'Engle
post image

"'Never think that what you do doesn't matter,' Max said. 'No one is too insignificant to make a difference. Whenever you get the chance, choose life. But I don't need to tell you that...'"

6 likes
quote
readingwinds
readingwinds
A House Like a Lotus | Madeleine L'Engle
post image

"It's all right. You have to go all the way through your feelings before you can come out on the other side. But don't stay where you are Polly, move on."

1 like