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)

An interesting Historical novel.

This historical novel was interesting and enlightening. The reading was well done; however, I fount the stutter difficult to listen to. Overall I recommend this book.

Good book, excellently performed

Recently listened to this paperwork while driving from Texas to Colorado and back. Thanks to the author and these fine performers, the miles flew by. Thank you!

(Make sure you stay tuned and listen to the author's rendition of how this book came to be and the true characters on which the story is based.)

I Loved It!

The best stories are the ones that inspire. The story is so well written. The narrators were remarkable. Enjoy!

Loved These Women

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

I have not read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Invention of Wings?

There were many memorable moments, most of which involved Charlotte's and Handfull's small and large acts of rebellion.

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of Charlotte making her story quilt, and what it meant to her and her family.

Great book!

Great book! Recommend it to anyone who likes historically based stories. I like the way it was told from two perspectives

Amazing

This is the story of how hope and courage conquered prejudice. Kidd brings history to life.

Wanted to keep listening

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

One of the best for listening and keeping my attention. Also an ending you can accept without feeling cut off.

What did you like best about this story?

The story was told so well and each chapter made you want to listen to the next. I listen in my car and always had a hard time turning it off when I arrived at my destination and had to have it playing again as soon as I got back in the car.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great character voices that allowed you to know who was talking even without the "said Handful" at the end.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I can't wait to read more of this author. I enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd as well and I'm going to fine more of her books to listen to next.

wonderful.

Riveting depiction of the birth of abolitionism and women's rights movements in America. The story tellers are PERFECT.

Interesting perspective on very familiar subject..

First let me say I am a Civil War/Slavery Era junkie. I can recite Gone with the Wind verbatim so I wasn't really expecting anything new from this book. Well, let me tell you I was pleasantly surprised. It was a totally different perspective of that time in history which made it very interesting and enjoyable to listen to....in fact, I found myself making extra time to listen :-) Loved the narrator(s)...very adept at changing character voices and dialect...even threw in some authentic Gullah...impressive! The author's note at the end was an added bonus. I highly recommend this book but will say, in all honesty, it's more of a "chick-book" so guys just a head's up!

Historical fiction at its finest!

Although I was not at first interested in reading yet another novel about slavery, this was a surprise. I tend to be too sensitive when it comes to human mutilation and degradation stories and would rather be uplifted. I feel there is enough atrocities in this life and I would rather focus on the positive. We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go in this area. That being said, the author took real characters from history and wove them with fiction to give the reader a life like depiction of what life back then must have been like. The Gremkey sisters were pioneers for women's rights and the anti-slavery movement. The only way for evil to prosper is for good men AND women to do nothing. Their courage and bravery left me so inspired to want to do the same in my life. This was a wonderful story on how just two women could have such a positive impact on their society. As the saying goes: "Good girls rarely make history. "