A Live Coal in the Sea: A Novel

Written by Madeleine L'Engle

Narrated by Joyce Bean

A family’s deepest secrets are exposed in this “haunting domestic drama” from the award-winning author of A Wrinkle in Time (Publishers Weekly).

When her teenage granddaughter comes to her with a troubling question, Camilla Dickinson must confront the painful history she’s long kept hidden. Forced to relive her past, she relates a complex saga involving her beautiful, adulterous mother, her troubled son, and the difficult choices that have affected three generations of her family.

As she goes through the difficult process of revealing her secrets, Camilla also lets go of the burden of lies she’s told. A testament to the power of acceptance and forgiveness, A Live Coal in the Sea is ultimately an exploration of the lengths to which people will go for love—and the things they’ll do to protect family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Feb 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543629927

Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L'Engle (1918-2007) was the Newbery Medal-winning author of more than 60 books, including the much-loved A Wrinkle in Time. Born in 1918, L'Engle grew up in New York City, Switzerland, South Carolina and Massachusetts. Her father was a reporter and her mother had studied to be a pianist, and their house was always full of musicians and theater people. L'Engle graduated cum laude from Smith College, then returned to New York to work in the theater. While touring with a play, she wrote her first book, The Small Rain, originally published in 1945. She met her future husband, Hugh Franklin, when they both appeared in The Cherry Orchard. Upon becoming Mrs. Franklin, L'Engle gave up the stage in favor of the typewriter. In the years her three children were growing up, she wrote four more novels. Hugh Franklin temporarily retired from the theater, and the family moved to western Connecticut and for ten years ran a general store. Her book Meet the Austins, an American Library Association Notable Children's Book of 1960, was based on this experience. Her science fantasy classic A Wrinkle in Time was awarded the 1963 Newbery Medal. Two companion novels, A Wind in the Door and A Swiftly Tilting Planet (a Newbery Honor book), complete what has come to be known as The Time Trilogy, a series that continues to grow in popularity with a new generation of readers. Her 1980 book A Ring of Endless Light won the Newbery Honor. L'Engle passed away in 2007 in Litchfield, Connecticut.

Reviews for A Live Coal in the Sea

[Chi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Believe it or not, this -- not "A Wrinkle in Time" is my first book by Madeleine L'Engle -- and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I devoured it in less than a day, thanks to its audio format, and I appreciated how she wove realistic themes of sexual abuse, infidelity, and faith into a very practical and, unfortunately, timely story. The narrator did a good job of covering various characters ranging in age and gender. Madeleine L'Engle was a thoughtful and talented storyteller. I will definitely read/listen to more of her books in the near future!

[James Hill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Madeleine L' Engle is an author who is able to write novels that provide the reader with true life experience. In her adult novels she raises moral issues that we are not able to readily discuss. This novel is a discourse on how to resolve family conflicts in life with the tender mercy of Jesus Christ. She must be a very astute observer of her fellow persons and their lives. I will now add the experience of this book to my life experiences. I hope someday I will understand the meaning or significance of the title of the book. Along with her book The Severed Wasp, the title of this book is an enigma.