Certain Women: A Novel

Madeleine L'Engle's "Certain Women" is a profound literary novel for mature young adults and adults, delving into the complex relationship between Emma Wheaton and her dying father, David, a celebrated actor. David's obsession with portraying the biblical King David becomes a lens through which Emma revisits her own painful and healing memories. The narrative skillfully interweaves these personal struggles with the archetypal story of King David and the significant women in his life, creating a multi-layered exploration of family dynamics, artistic legacy, grief, and the search for identity. It's a contemplative read that offers deep insights into human nature and the enduring power of stories.

Emma Wheaton has interrupted her successful stage career to attend to her dying father—the legedary screen actor David Wheaton. As the master performer grapples with an obsession over the one great role that has eluded him—that of the biblical King David—Emma confronts both the painful and healing memories of her tumultuous past. The stories of these two Davids and the women in their lives are simultaneously woven together and unraveled in a narrative rich in theatrical tradition and archetypal wisdom. In Certain Women, Madeleine L’Engle gives us an unforgettable portrait of the private struggles and blessings of family life. (A stand-alone novel.)