"Story is the best way to address truth, to address the really important things. Using your rational mind will take you only so far -- which is why Jesus spoke in parables," declared well-known author Madeleine L'Engle in an interview yesterday.

She will speak on this topic "Story as Truth," in the sanctuary of College Mennonite Church at 8 p.m. tonight. Tomorrow's 10 a.m. convocationwill feature informal dialogue between L'Engle and a student panel, with an opportunity for audience questions.

Most GC students will recognize L'Engle as the author of the children's fantasy novel A Wrinkle in Time, which won the John Newberry Medal in 1963. L'Engle said she patterned Meg, the book's protagonist, after herself: "I was a very unsuccessful child."

At the time she was writing the book, L'Engle was attending a church that seemed "to have all the answers. But my questions mostly don't have answers. I was trying [through writing Wrinkle] to find a universe I could believe in."

Since that book, she has written over 30 books for people of all ages and has won numerous awards. Her most autobiographical book is Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage. Her 1980 essay collection, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art, has become an inspiration for many Christians, and her 1992 novel The Rock that is Higher, presents her view of story as truth.

L'Engle said she is especially looking forward to the GC convocation. "In that kind of spontaneous situation, you have to answer right away, and the Holy Spirit has an opportunity to come. If you have everything planned out, you're shutting it (the Spirit) out," she said.

In her two previous visits to GC, L'Engle said she found audiences to be "very open, very willing to listen."

She was introduced to GC through her friendship with professor emeritus Roy Umble, whom she describes as a "wonderful, kind friend." According to director of Special Programs, Janette Yoder, Umble attended college with L'Engle's husband, the late actor Hugh Franklin.

Preceding the lecture is a 4-6 p.m. book signing in the CMC Gathering Room. A reservation-only dinner program at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall will feature L'Engle sharing autobiographical reflections.

Tickets for the public lecture are $7 general admission or $4 for students. They will be available at the door.

Return to the Madeleine L'Engle WWW Resource