
And Both Were Young (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Postwar Swiss Boarding School Romance of Grief, Memory, Friendship, and Coming of AgeBy Madeleine l'EngleLength8h 55m
About this audiobook
Set in a Swiss boarding school in the uneasy aftermath of the Second World War, And Both Were Young follows Philippa "Flip" Hunter, an isolated American girl whose artistic temperament and grief make her feel out of place among more conventional classmates. L'Engle combines the school story, the romance of Alpine landscape, and the psychological coming-of-age novel, writing with a lucid, emotionally attentive style. Beneath its youthful surface lies a serious inquiry into loneliness, memory, trust, and the healing power of friendship. Madeleine L'Engle, later celebrated for A Wrinkle in Time, often wrote about gifted, vulnerable young people negotiating worlds that fail to understand them. Her own experiences in boarding school and her lifelong interest in art, faith, and inward growth inform this early novel. Published in 1949, it already reveals her characteristic concern with wounded adolescents, moral courage, and love as a force of restoration. This book is warmly recommended to readers who value thoughtful young adult fiction with emotional depth and historical atmosphere. Those interested in L'Engle's development as a novelist will find it especially rewarding, while new readers will discover a tender, intelligent story about becoming oneself.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreYoung Adult
Length8 hrs 55 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 11, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1And Both Were Young (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
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6Chapter I. The Prisoner of Chillon
7Chapter II. The Page and the Unicorn
8Chapter III. The Escape from the Dungeon
9Chapter IV. The Lost Boy
10Chapter V. The Stranger
11Chapter VI. The Prisoner Freed
12Analysis
13Reflection
14Memorable Quotes