The Joys of Love
by Madeleine L'Engle

    THE JOYS OF LOVE by Madeleine L'Engle
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  4/29/08
    Publisher:  Farrar, Straus and Giroux
    Reviewed by:  Marie Robinson
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Elizabeth has big dreams of becoming an actress. She loves everything about the theater and feels born to be a part
    of it. Her aunt, who has raised her, wants a more conventional life and disapproves of Elizabeth’s ambitions to
    become an actress.

    Taking place over a mere four days, Elizabeth is forced to learn a lot about herself, about her career ambitions, and
    about growing up. Her aunt disapproves of the lifestyle Elizabeth has adopted while working for a theater company,
    and has withdrawn the money she was paying for Elizabeth’s room and board. This leaves Elizabeth to confront just
    what compromises she will make in her life to realize her dream.

    The melodramatic title aside, this is a lovely book. It’s set in 1946, with mentions of Automats, and with characters
    speaking a diction reminiscent of an earlier time. It’s a detailed look into the lives of young men and women trying to
    find themselves by playing other characters. Elizabeth doesn’t just have to stand up to her aunt, she also has to learn
    about the kind of love that comes along with growing up.

    The characters are well drawn, and L’Engle deftly draws the reader in to the stories of the minor characters as well
    as the major ones. It is an example in character study, with a satisfying ending that does not feel trite or contrived.