The Invention of Wings

By: Sue Monk Kidd

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, Adepero Oduye

Length: 13 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

From the celebrated author of the international best seller The Secret Life of Bees comes an extraordinary novel about two exceptional women.

Sarah Grimké is the middle daughter. The one her mother calls difficult and her father calls remarkable. On Sarah's eleventh birthday, Hetty 'Handful' Grimke is taken from the slave quarters she shares with her mother, wrapped in lavender ribbons, and presented to Sarah as a gift.

Sarah knows what she does next will unleash a world of trouble. She also knows that she cannot accept. And so, indeed, the trouble begins ...

A powerful, sweeping novel, inspired by real events, and set in the American Deep South in the nineteenth century, The Invention Of Wings evokes a world of shocking contrasts, of beauty and ugliness, of righteous people living daily with cruelty they fail to recognise; and celebrates the power of friendship and sisterhood against all the odds.

©2014 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2014 Headline Digital

Outstanding narration

The narration of this audiobook, with a story told from the dual perspectives of two girls of similar age growing up in the time of slavery, is pitch perfect. A lovely, strong story, beautifully told and rendered with authenticity and gentleness. I won't be forgetting this in a hurry!

A Must Read

Beautifully written and equally beautifully narrated, this fictionalisation of real-life feminists and abolitionists in the deeply conservative South of America in the 1800s, the Grimke sisters, is a must. From the horrors of slavery to the outstanding courage of the people who fought against it, this novel explores all the relationships inherent in that journey. A remarkable book.

A must read

What made the experience of listening to The Invention of Wings the most enjoyable?

I couldn't put it down. The characters lived with me and I missed them when I was not listening to the book. Beautifully read.

What did you like best about this story?

The contrast between the two strong female characters.

Eye opener for life in the South.

Would you listen to The Invention of Wings again? Why?

Yes I would listen to it again - I have now classified this as one of my favourite books.

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

yes, but I had to listen over a period of time.

Spellbound!

Loved the story and the dual narrators...exactly the right choice for an audiobook. THIS is the book that should have been made into the movie and won the oscars, NOT the overhyped "Twelve Years..." The author's appendix was an unexpected bonus and made me want to research further into the work of the Grimky (sp?) sisters.

Lovely story

Although parts were brutal and stirred a lot of discomfort in me due to cruelty that was inflicted in the slaves , I did enjoy this book immensely.
I loved the author speaking at the end of the book. This gave insight into which facts were fictional and non fictional. A must read !

Wonderful audio book!

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

Yes highly recommended. The narrator adds so much to this book…..I don't think it would be so captivating if I read it myself. I was taken back into the time and place by listening to the accounts of Sarah and Handful. There were some powerful themes in the story and yet it was not dense - it was easy listening.

What other book might you compare The Invention of Wings to and why?

I loved the City of Bees by same author and narrators, for the same reasons.

What does Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Made it real and captivating….and often very disturbing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many moments moved in this book and left me disturbed and inspired.

Excellent in all aspects.

Absorbing,thoughtful,shameful
The narration is superb, it made the book even more powerful. The story is at time heart rendering, making one wonder how humans can possibly be so cruel. The strength of the main characters is amazing. I re read the book straight away.

Those Ahead Of Their Time

What did you love best about The Invention of Wings?

Both the theme of people able to see right from wrong against all odds in the society they have been brought up in and in spite of it ostracizing them within their family, friends and community at large, along with the strength and endurance of the spirit during unspeakable circumstances.

What did you like best about this story?

The truth.

What does Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They both narrated beautifully but I particularly love to listen to Jenna Lamia; I've heard her narrate before and she is mesmerising. If I had read the book instead it would have been fabulous but I would have missed out on the pleasure of hearing both of their lovely voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book moved me.

Any additional comments?

I loved The Secret Lives Of Bees but this was even better.

Very enjoyable listen

Based on truth, this story about slavery and the two sisters who campaigned against it, is a most enjoyable read. Hard to listen to, in parts due to the cruelty the slaves had to endure. It is, however an uplifting book about friendship and loyalty.