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)

fantastic story and narration!

loved it... couldn't put it down. narrators were amazing and seamlessly draw you into the characters

Breathtaking

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As a woman preparing to run for office for the first time, this book about courageous women couldn't have been more timely! I was inspired by the brave women that have paved the way for me.

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

Loved Sarah's quote, "Please take your foot off our necks."

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The voice were so true to character.

An absolute triumph

This was a masterfully written story blending history with fiction so beautifully, giving the characters depth, voice, and intensity. The narrators were a perfect compliment to the story.

Historically, the significance of this dark period in American history could not have been illustrated more intricately. I was enthralled, heartbroken and submerged into a trance anytime I listened. What a work of art!

Tremendous everything!

I could not stop listening from the first words read! I was instantly absorbed into the so beautifully written novel with the fantastic performances. The gut wrenching descriptions of slave torture were hard to hear and there were unexpected moments of humor that made me laugh out loud. l love this book and it will stay with me for a long time.

A Great Story

I was reluctant to listen because I really hadn't heard anything from this author and wasn't sure of the book or what it was about because I didn't want to read the reviews someone suggested in her book club ( lit goddess) however, when I listen to the story I was captivated in every character, I could find something in each person then I could relate to the women's struggle even in this day and time. I could not put the story down. I hated when people called and interrupted my listening time. I even sneaked and listen to it at work in between work calls and I was annoyed with clients long conversation because I wanted to get back to the story and not to mention driving down the street I was looking straight ahead and almost forgetting that I was driving I was so engrossed till I was driving 15 mph then I realized I was going too slow. I really love this book and I'm definitely going to look up the other books you have written. I also love the people that was speaking for the characters their voices made the story so believable so real even relatable. Thank you

Outstanding

This is a beautifully written novel. Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye do a superb job bringing the characters to life. This is truly one of my favorite books.

Moving and heart-wrenching

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This story was beautiful. If you love history, even awful gut-wrenching history that makes your head want explode with questions like how could humans be so disgusting and heartless, then this story is for you. It's amazing that there were people who didn't stand for slavery and spoke against it. Apparently in this time, a white person's reputation was everything. Imagine if they could see society now with Snookie and Kim Kardashian! It was very fun to travel into a different time and to get into their heads and explore the ideas they held and how they viewed the world. I found it very interesting that Quakers were against the enslavement of black people and gave women rights. For the most part. I liked that a lot.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Heady and Charlotte. I was in love with the mom and daughter. Both selfless and motivated by their love, despite their awful circumstances.

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

Not that I know of.

If you could rename The Invention of Wings, what would you call it?

The Spirit Tree

Any additional comments?

The author did a lot of research on this book and I think she is brilliant. I wish that this entire story were true and I would like to believe that there were many of Heady's out there that were able to escape with the help of a devoted friend with their life and freedom on the other side.
I cannot do this story justice enough, not even close.

Good book

I enjoyed the story, was pleasantly surprised to learn it was loosely based on real people. Now I will look them up and see what I can learn about them.

Completely In love!!

This book captured my heart and I hung on every single word. I hope this is adapted into a movie, I would love to see it come to life! And Jenna Lamia has me as a fan for life! What an amazing narrator!!!

Thoughtful and compelling storytelling

Enjoyable start to finish. Dichotomy of the characters made even more so in the audible version. Hearing this tale helps me understand a bit more how/why issues around race and gender persist and likely will for some time. Great book.