The Invention of Wings

A Novel

By: Sue Monk Kidd

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, Adepero Oduye, Sue Monk Kidd

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

From the celebrated author of The Secret Life of Bees, a magnificent novel about two unforgettable American women.

Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, Sue Monk Kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the world - and it is now the newest Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 selection.

Hetty “Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke’s daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women.

Kidd’s sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah’s eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid. We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other’s destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love.

As the stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women’s rights movements.

Inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, Kidd goes beyond the record to flesh out the rich interior lives of all of her characters, both real and invented, including Handful’s cunning mother, Charlotte, who courts danger in her search for something better.

This exquisitely written novel is a triumph of storytelling that looks with unswerving eyes at a devastating wound in American history, through women whose struggles for liberation, empowerment, and expression will leave no reader unmoved.

©2014 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A remarkable novel that heightened my sense of what it meant to be a woman - slave or free... a conversation changer.” (Oprah Winfrey, O, The Oprah Magazine)

“Exhilarating...powerful...By humanizing these formidable women, The Invention of Wings furthers our essential understanding of what has happened among us as Americans - and why it still matters.” (The Washington Post)

“A textured masterpiece, quietly yet powerfully poking our consciences and our consciousness... leaves us feeling uplifted and hopeful.” (NPR)

Moving Tale

What a great story deeply based on actual people. This tale was both beautiful and at times heartbreaking.

Title is so appropriate!

Where does The Invention of Wings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book will now be one of my favorites I have listened to. I am not always such a fan of all of Oprah's book club but this sure lived up to her rave reviews.

What did you like best about this story?

The book was so well written. The attention to detail was so exact and drew me into the story line so that I felt I was observing the actual events rather than reading them. I loved her detail without being overly descriptive. Some authors go on too much and then I find myself wanting to skip parts to get to the meat of the book. This was all meat!

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

It was amazing to me how much the three sounded alike yet different. All were so outstanding.

If you could take any character from The Invention of Wings out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would not need to take any of them out to dinner but I would sure love to see the story quilt. I could imagine it in my mind but seeing it would be a delight.

Any additional comments?

This book is one I will remember fondly for a long time. I felt the SOUTH. I felt for the slaves. I felt for the slave owners. So well written.... I will be reading everything this author writes. LOVED IT

loved it

A highly recommend this historical fiction book I would definitely read more from Miss kid

Excellent All Around

A compelling story with engaging characters and the narrator is outstanding. I recommend it to all interested in human rights, women's rights, antebellum politics, and a good read.

Blessing to listen to

Beautifully spoken this story has to be better listened to versus reading. Didn't want it to end
Don't miss it

A Powerful and Poignant Story -

Would you consider the audio edition of The Invention of Wings to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version - but judging from the way it was performed, I don't think I need to read the print version!

What did you like best about this story?

Sue Monk Kidd has a way with word. She sets the stage and introduces you to the characters in such a way that you can envision it all. I was particularly impressed by her discussion at the end of the book about the truth behind the story.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes - the Secret Life of Bees and I read the Dance of the Dissident Daughter both of which were equally as spell binding

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and one I did not want to end!!

Any additional comments?

A beautiful performance or a very talented author's story.

Beautifully written, engaging story

Great narration matched the 2 main characters very well. I loved how Sarah sounded like a rich society girl, really helped with imagining her character. Excellent book.

Great story! Loved it!

A wonderful abolishinist story. It took me on a journey sometimes difficult but wonderfully told story.

Captivating

I felt transported to the time period. The voices of Sarah and Handful were perfect .

Absolutely fabulous novel

Would you consider the audio edition of The Invention of Wings to be better than the print version?

I loved listening to this book. The two women narrators were superb. Their voices were enthralling and the author's note at the end was excellent.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I loved the character of Handful. Well read.

Any additional comments?

This is one of Sue Monk Kidd's best novels. - and she is a great writer. So interesting, very emotional. I simply could not stop listening.