A Circle of Quiet (1972) by Madeleine L’Engle is the first book in her Crosswicks Journals series, a lyrical and introspective memoir that blends personal reflection, spiritual musings, and insights on creativity. Set against the backdrop of her family’s rural Connecticut farmhouse, Crosswicks, L’Engle weaves together stories of her life as a writer, mother, and seeker of truth.
With warmth and wisdom, she explores the tensions between art and faith, solitude and community, and the challenges of balancing family life with the demands of a creative vocation. The title refers to her cherished moments of stillness in the natural world—where she finds clarity amid life’s chaos.
Rich with anecdotes about her struggles (including early literary rejection) and triumphs (like the success of A Wrinkle in Time), the book is a meditation on the sacredness of ordinary life. L’Engle’s voice is both intimate and universal, offering solace to anyone grappling with identity, doubt, or the quiet hunger for meaning. A luminous celebration of the artist’s calling and the grace found in small, quiet places.
