Good Reads / Community Library Notes
The Moment of Tenderness
Madeline L'Engle
Review by Priscilla Comen
The Moment of Tenderness
Madeline L'Engle
Review by Priscilla Comen
The Moment of Tenderness, by Madeline L’Engle, is a series of short stories that inspired L’Engle’s life and career.
The story of Gilberte playing Bach tells about young Claudine going for a walk with her father. She doesn’t like when he goes into a café for a cognac or two. This is during the German occupation. When they return home, Gilberte is still playing Bach.
“The Mountains Shall Stand Forever” is about Ellen who is unhappy at boarding school where she is teased by Violet and Ginny. Gloria’s idea is she should write her father, an artist, to tell him she’s unhappy there. But the head mistress says he wants her to stay and be happy there. Violet and Ginny call her a tattler and plan to make her life hell. Gloria leaves and Ellen wants to be alone forever.
In another story, Lise cries because Franny is not her best friend any longer. A red haired counselor, Sunset, comes to her and shows her how to howl and swear loudly at the sky. Lise feels better and writes a letter to Franny. But Franny reads it aloud to the other campers and Sunset drives away from the camp.
These stories examine the highs and lows of L’Engles’ life. Are they based on truth? Does it matter since they are often the basis for her novels. The title story “The Moment of Tenderness” is the sweet story of Steve, a general doctor who comes to see Stella’s children for every mishap or sniffle. Stella likes his hands and his gentle manner, and even the kiss he gives her once. It makes her feel wanted and loved even though it goes no further. It’s a “moment of tenderness.”
There is the story of Vicki who teaches high school but wants to do something else. She applies to get a job as an usher at a theater but goes home without one. Nana gets home late and says good night to Vicki. Neither one knows what they will do. Life is full of unanswered questions, says L’Engle. There is the story of Selina who is already homesick before going to teaching at a boarding school. She is missing the beach, the dunes, the dogs, and the ocean. Peter comes to say good bye to her. He will miss her. It’s a long time until June.
In “One Night in Spring” Noel auditions for a role in summer theater in New York. She meets Jane Gardner in the waiting room and they get together afterward for coffee. They each get scholarships for the summer theater. Noel, after being nervous and anxious becomes confident and sure of her ability to succeed.
In “Prelude to the First Night Alone,” characters Estelle, Paul, and Nicky interact before Estelle moves to a different hotel. Who will take the paintings? The books? Some of the records belong to Estelle but the Renoir lady is Nicky’s. Paul is angry because the piano has not been tuned. He realizes that while he was on a piano tour something has happened with Estelle and Nicky.
Some of these stories are from college courses and others are more chronological in order. We can see L’engle’s growth as a writer. There are moments of satire, science fiction, realism, change and renewal. Find this fine collection on the new fiction shelf of your local library.
The story of Gilberte playing Bach tells about young Claudine going for a walk with her father. She doesn’t like when he goes into a café for a cognac or two. This is during the German occupation. When they return home, Gilberte is still playing Bach.
“The Mountains Shall Stand Forever” is about Ellen who is unhappy at boarding school where she is teased by Violet and Ginny. Gloria’s idea is she should write her father, an artist, to tell him she’s unhappy there. But the head mistress says he wants her to stay and be happy there. Violet and Ginny call her a tattler and plan to make her life hell. Gloria leaves and Ellen wants to be alone forever.
In another story, Lise cries because Franny is not her best friend any longer. A red haired counselor, Sunset, comes to her and shows her how to howl and swear loudly at the sky. Lise feels better and writes a letter to Franny. But Franny reads it aloud to the other campers and Sunset drives away from the camp.
These stories examine the highs and lows of L’Engles’ life. Are they based on truth? Does it matter since they are often the basis for her novels. The title story “The Moment of Tenderness” is the sweet story of Steve, a general doctor who comes to see Stella’s children for every mishap or sniffle. Stella likes his hands and his gentle manner, and even the kiss he gives her once. It makes her feel wanted and loved even though it goes no further. It’s a “moment of tenderness.”
There is the story of Vicki who teaches high school but wants to do something else. She applies to get a job as an usher at a theater but goes home without one. Nana gets home late and says good night to Vicki. Neither one knows what they will do. Life is full of unanswered questions, says L’Engle. There is the story of Selina who is already homesick before going to teaching at a boarding school. She is missing the beach, the dunes, the dogs, and the ocean. Peter comes to say good bye to her. He will miss her. It’s a long time until June.
In “One Night in Spring” Noel auditions for a role in summer theater in New York. She meets Jane Gardner in the waiting room and they get together afterward for coffee. They each get scholarships for the summer theater. Noel, after being nervous and anxious becomes confident and sure of her ability to succeed.
In “Prelude to the First Night Alone,” characters Estelle, Paul, and Nicky interact before Estelle moves to a different hotel. Who will take the paintings? The books? Some of the records belong to Estelle but the Renoir lady is Nicky’s. Paul is angry because the piano has not been tuned. He realizes that while he was on a piano tour something has happened with Estelle and Nicky.
Some of these stories are from college courses and others are more chronological in order. We can see L’engle’s growth as a writer. There are moments of satire, science fiction, realism, change and renewal. Find this fine collection on the new fiction shelf of your local library.