Isla by Madelaine L'Engle

I hate to say it because my worship of L’Engle knows no bounds, but I did not like this book.  Well written? Sure-that goes without saying.  But it was a little too dreary and depressing for me and our "hero" was no such thing.  Unrequited love that lasts a lifetime?  Sure, I'll buy it.  Unrequited love that is so consuming that life outside of it is just shadow living for a lifetime?  Nah.  The book also had overtones of The Great Gatsby which is not a book that I love or really even like.  I've tried Fitzgerald's "masterpiece" three times (twice for classes, in high school and college, and once as an adult) and I. Just. Don't. Get. It.  This book reminded me of that for some reason.  Not all the racy, high fashion nonsense, but the obsession without a relateable reason...

I was happy to read it as I had never stumbled over this particular book before and I always like to tick off another L'Engle.  Glad I borrowed it from the library, sorry I kept it way past its return date, but sadly, not my favorite book.

Rating:  Bearable, Just Barely #6