The Invention of Wings

A Novel

By: Sue Monk Kidd

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

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.

Critic reviews

Praise for The Invention of Wings

“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

“A searing and soaring story of two women bound together as mistress and slave.” – USA Today

“Kidd has managed to avoid both condescension and cliché, creating an unforgettable character in the slave Handful, the emotional core of her utterly engaging third novel.” – The Boston Globe

“If this isn’t an American classic-to-be, I don’t know what is. . .this book is as close to perfect as any I’ve ever read.” – The Dallas Morning News

“A powerful story of rebellion and heroism. . .The remarkable courage and hope found in The Invention of Wings is a reminder that we all have those wings – and tells us a lot more about how we got them.” – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Kidd has done a marvelous job of capturing two special and vibrant voices. . . I can’t recall reading a book about slavery that presented in such vivid and heartbreaking detail just what the daily life and labor felt like.” – The Minneapolis Star Tribune

“A total revelation. . .the book is balanced by two extraordinary women: real-life abolitionist and feminist Sarah Grimké and the imagined handmaiden Handful, who nearly leaps off every page.” – Patrick Bass, Essence

A wonderful read

I love historical fiction! I loved this book. The brutality of slavery is always heart wrenching to hear but the overall themes of love, dedication, bravery, and the fight for what is right were incredibly inspirational. After reading the book I was amazed to learn that the sisters were real people and true champions of equal rights for men and women of all races. They dedicated their lives to their beliefs long before these ideas were accepted by society.

Excellent Historical Fiction

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

I loved the voices of the speakers, Handfull and Sarah, and found them very compelling.

What did you like best about this story?

This was an accurate description of life in the South during the slave era, and the fact that it was based on a true character (Sarah Grimke) made it more interesting and believable.

Who was the most memorable character of The Invention of Wings and why?

It's hard to choose between Sarrah and Handfull, but I think Handfull's perceptions, observations, and descriptions were so well done.

Any additional comments?

This is my favorite of the author's books, and I highly recommend it. I will read "Twelve Years a Slave" with greater understanding.

Amazing Story Based on Real Women!

What did you love best about The Invention of Wings?

The imagery of this story was so beautiful! While slavery is an atrocity this story gave life to both sides of the issue and was enlightening.

What did you like best about this story?

The corresponding stories of sisters.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

When Sarah began to stammer it was as though the narrator was struggling to get the words out.

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

I can't say because of SPOILERS! But I will say this, it ends in such a way I wept and was filled with so many emotions I cannot express them all. That and the part where Sarah said "Kindly take your feet off our necks!"

Any additional comments?

Don't turn off the author's notes at the end. It gives amazing life to the story.

Brilliantly written, Lovely Narration

What did you love best about The Invention of Wings?

I love the intelligence and fortitude of Hetty, in addition to her dry, witty thoughts.

What did you like best about this story?

The setting was wonderfully drawn, with rich detail of hard truths from the time.

Which scene was your favorite?

I love when Hetty and her Mother lay outside on a clear night and watched a meteor shower.

Inspiring

If you love historical fiction, you will love this book. If you are not crazy about historical fiction you most likely will love this book. I started listening after this popping up on my recommended for you section. After recognizing a few names I checked and was shocked to discover the story is based on a real persons life. This makes the amazing main character all that more unbelievable. I read about 1/2 the book thinking the main character was "ahead of her time" or a modern authors take on what she would have been like in the 1800, only to learn this person actually did defy the current beliefs.