Young Unicorns

Rating:
Summary: A fabulous book containing universal truths
Review: A Wrinkle in Time has always been my favorite book, and I was hesistant to read L'Engle's other stories because I had grown so attatched to the Murrays/O'Keefe's. This book was my final Austin family novel, and I must say, if by far my favorite.

This novel, while having the classic L'Engle good-triumphing ending, was full of the darker side of life. Like Arm of the Starfish, this book made me very aware that there is evil in the world. At yet, at the same time, this evil can be combatted through love and trust. It's an incredibly powerful story, with amazing twists and characters you won't soon forget.

Another reason I simply adore this book is because it is very clear that Chronos and Kairos are crossing here. Canon Tallis, Mr. Theo, Emily, Dave . . . they all reappear (or have appeared) in other books. It's wonderful to have that kind of connection with a character.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for themselves in a world where black and white are sometimes purple.

Rating:
Summary: L'Engle Suspense
Review: As she does in all her novels, Madeleine L'Engle hides several powerful themes in the plot and narration of "The Young Unicorns". It is about more than just a bizarre plot to take over New York--or the Austin family's year in the city--or a child prodigy who was blinded in a mysterious accident. It is about all of these at once, and more; and they way these threads are woven together is magnificent.

The Austins take supporting roles in this novel. On centerstage are a colorful, wonderful group of characters, new and old: Emily Gregory, the child prodigy with such perfect hearing that she can echolocate; Josiah Davidson, both a former choirboy and a former gang member, who has become Emily's friend; Mr. Theo, Emily's crotchety, yet brilliant, music teacher; and Tom Tallis, an English priest who is also an international sleuth.

The mystery begins almost immediately. Emily rubs a lamp and appears to call up a genie. Is there a connection between this incident and the attack that left her blind? A connection between the attack and Dr. Austin's secret medical research? A connection between the research and a plot to rule New York? A connection between the plot and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine? A connection between the Cathedral and a street gang called the Alphabats? A connection between the Alphabats and Tom Tallis, who just broke up a crime ring in Portugal? (For more on _that_, read "The Arm of the Starfish".)

The answer is YES: mystery, suspense, sci-fi, good vs evil, and even coming-of-age themes all come together in this excellent book; and the setting, New York City in "parlous times," becomes very real.

I have had my copy of "The Young Unicorns" for six years, but only recently did I see how beautifully L'Engle made her point that true freedom comes only through submission to a divine order. Her title comes from the apocryphal writings of St. Macrina, who described young people who cannot be "tamed," until and unless they give their consent, as young unicorns. Whether the characters (or the readers) are like Emily, who has given her consent, or like Dave, who hasn't, they recognize that they are part of the great web of life that both gives free will and demands obedience. As she always does, L'Engle makes readers fully aware of life and very eager to live.

Rating:
Summary: Not only for children
Review: I am not a big fan of saying this is a "child's book" because I was not a child when I read it/ It is a timeless and ageless book, one for the entire family. If you haven't read it, you should, no matter how old you are.

Rating:
Summary: A great modern classic
Review: I found the book to be a marvelous read with real gripping drama, and characters it's easy to care about. Part coming of age story, part mystery/adventure, this is a profound piece that makes you think as it entertains and thrills. I recommend any and every book by this writer.

Rating:
Summary: A great modern classic
Review: I found the book to be a marvelous read with real gripping drama, and characters it's easy to care about. Part coming of age story, part mystery/adventure, this is a profound piece that makes you think as it entertains and thrills. I recommend any and every book by this writer.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Sequel to "The Moon by Night"
Review: I thouroughly enjoyed both of the previous Austin family books and looked forward to this one as being similiar. This was a very good L'Engle book, but reminded me more of "The Arm of the Starfish" than the Austin series. Nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable read.

An intriguing mystery, new characters, and more of a look at Rob and Suzy than the usual focus on Vicky. It was nice to see Canon Tallis again. I liked the way Ms. L'Engle weaves in spiritual truths: we are truly free only in obedience/submission to God.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the Austin series, and I hope Emily and Dave make a cameo or at least have a mention in the next books. I also want to note that one should definitely read "The Arm of the Starfish" before they read this novel. Though different series, they connect and "Starfish" will be spoiled unless you read it first.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Mystery
Review: In "The Young Unicorns", we meet up with the Austin family, who are now living in New York City, as Dr. Austin is working on a research project. We also meet 2 new L'Engle characters. Dave, who used to be in a gang called the Alphabats, and Emily, a blind girl who at times stays with the Austins. Dave now reads Emily her homework, as she can't read it herself. When bizarre things begin happening to the Austin family, and a bishop begins acting strangely, the Austin children begin to worry, and decide, with the help of Dave and Emily, to solve the mystery. But what they don't realize at the time, is that getting involved may cost them their lives.

We all know that L'Engle writes amazing coming-of-age novels, but, after reading "The Young Unicorns", I now know that she also writes amazing mystery/suspense/sci-fi novels. This was an amazingly interesting book, and readers, whether previous L'Engle fans or not, will relish in her character descriptions, and adventure. A must have book.

Erika Sorocco

Rating:
Summary: An Austin sci-fi mystery
Review: New York City in the 1960s. It's a place where the sure sign of gang membership is a black leather jacket, where the worst drugs adolescents may encounter are "pot" and "acid," and where laser surgery is still the stuff of science fiction - although just barely. To the Austin family from Thornhill, Connecticut, it's simultaneously Sin City and a place where they have settled in to make a temporary home. Small Rob has ventured for the first time into a world of boys and men, by opting for a nearby cathedral's parochial school instead of going with his older sisters Suzy and Vicky. The family has taken two waifs into its bosom: Emily Gregory, their landlord's blind and motherless daughter; and Josiah "Dave" Davidson, a former gang member who reads Emily her lessons.

How are Emily, Dave, Dave's father who works in the cathedral's maintenance department, the cathedral's dean, and a visiting Anglican canon connected to the research that the Austin children's father is mysteriously conducting during this year off from his country medical practice? That's the key to a mystery which Rob, Suzy, and Vicky all realize - at different times and in different ways - is threatening their family, too.

L'Engle's two previous Austin books, and the one following this in the series, have Vicky as first-person narrator. I found myself missing her voice as I read, but I quickly realized why the author chose to tell this story in the third person. That approach enables us to follow the story from many different viewpoints. Having it unfold through Vicky's eyes alone would not, for this young adult thriller, produce a tale even half as satisfying.

This is the first L'Engle book that I've read as an adult and found it dated. However, the story still works well on each of its various levels. I figured the mystery out before I should have, but can't say how well I might have done with it as a young teen.

Rating:
Summary: my favorite Austin book
Review: While not as well known as 'A Ring of Endless Light', 'The Young Unicorns' is just as good as its sequel. Madeleine L'Engle not only manages to write about family and the universe (as she always does so wonderfully), but also creates an interesting mystery that will keep you in suspense until the last chapter. As always, L'Engle's writing is fantastic--simple but eloquent.
One of the things I particularly enjoyed was the introduction of characters such as Emily, the blind pianist whom the Austins care for while her father is away, Dave, an ex-gang member trying to find his place in life, and Mr. Theo, Emily's lion-esque piano teacher. They, among others, each added a new twist to the Austin family dynamic. Don't get me wrong; I love the Austin family and seeing them relate to each other. However, these new characters gave an interesting addition to a familiar situation. Also, many of these characters appear/have appeared in other L'Engle novels, which provides a fun connection for fans of her work.
Whether you're interested in philosophy, mystery, or a story of family, 'The Young Unicorns' will more than satisfy.