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)

Wonderful!

I loved this book! It was so easy to listen to! It was about the characters everyday lives but I was totally wrapped up in what was going on. I wish it had 16 more chapters.

Great Story and Readers

This is a well- imagined based-on-a-true-story story full of triumph and tribulation, heartache and sisters.

So very enjoyable

This had been recommended by a friend and I love fictional history. I deplore the idea of slavery and felt the pain the characters had to endure, both physically and emotionally.
What I loved most was the story tellers. They really brought it to life. Don't forget to listen to the author's comments at the end.

Great story and performance

Loved this - no negative comments at all. The voices were matched to the story. All very engaging - including the author's comments at the end.

Loved the book hated the stutter

I really hated the reader stuttering. Maybe it is just me but I found it so annoying. Couldn't she just read and say after "she said her stutter returning". It was distracting and frustrating. As for the story better to read than to listen to I guess but over all great book with horrible things happening. It is so sad and hard to imagine people being so cruel and ignorant. I'm glad I read it though it is just very hard sometimes.

Excellent historical fiction.

Especially appreciated the author's notes at the end, explaining how she researched the sisters and Handful.

Wonderful

I especially enjoyed the historical information shared by the author at the end of the book.

Repression in a well written historical fiction

Not typically a book I would read but have done a couple of this type lately. This touches on the repression of black slaves in the south and women in general during the early life of the United States. Helps me to appreciate our past and how easy it is for us to justify how we treat other human beings.

Incredible writing

Sue Monk Kidd is a brilliant writer. Couple that with the narration of Jenna Lamia...unbeatable. Great narrators bring a story to life. Great writing and narrating... Easy 5 stars

Fabulous

This book is so well written, I begrudged having to pause listening to it. Be sure to listen to the author's note at the end.