From the celebrated author of The Secret Life of Bees and the forthcoming novel The Book of Longings, a 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.Hetty “Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century … 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.
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Quite a few years ago I read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It became an instant favorite. The Invention of Wings is completely different, but equally impressive.
Kidd became inspired to write about Sarah Grimke after learning the anti-slavery proponent originated from a wealthy slave-owning family in Charleston. I believe this is either irony, justice or redemption. No matter, it’s a great story –fiction or not.
Sarah is given a slave at the age of eleven. She rejects the notion, but can not easily extricate herself from the awful institution of slavery. She begins by embarking on a friendship with her “given” slave, Handful.
The story alternates between the voice of the animated Handful and the more demure Sarah. The most palpable comparison of the characters is how each are tortured, albeit in different ways. Handful survives the awful physical and emotional consequences of slavery –which include beatings, deaths of friends, vanishment of loved ones, torture, condescension and more. Sarah suffers from the guilt of her involvement and powerlessness to change anything. But these juxtapositions aren’t always wrapped up so tidily. While Sarah’s moral compass becomes clear at an early age after she becomes sickened by the beating of a slave, her convictions are tested when she finds Handful using her bathtub. Her own indignant reaction catches herself off guard. Does she truly believe in equality? She does. And in that moment, she understands her environment and values don’t reflect her beliefs. That’s when a shift in her life begins –her path to becoming one of history’s greatest essayist and speakers on abolition.
But there’s more to the story –the fiction side of things anyway. Much is happening to the group of slaves Sarah has grown up with while she has moved North. Eventually, Handful is faced with a dangerous dilemma. And Sarah has drifted away from the family. Without the ability to chart their own destinations, for the slaves there comes heartache, as is expected in the Antebellum South. But because of Sarah and Handful’s determination, there is hope as well.
I like Sue Monk Kidd’s writing style. Her mastery of language, dialogue and syntax makes the story a joy to read. She creates just enough details to immerse us in the world, without bogging. I believe her talent lies in making characters come to life with their actions and punchy talk. An interview with Ms. Kidd indicated Sarah was a challenge because she wanted to keep her voice as authentic as possible, based on her research. While I’m no expert on Sarah Grimke, nor customs of the 1800s, I’d say she nailed it. Her cause and internal struggles felt authentic, making me very reflective of the themes.
Sarah Grimke struggled with finding her purpose. Sue Monk Kidd brought her to life again in this book –bringing to light Sarah’s challenges of the her voice being heard on issues that matter. Somehow, that theme is still very relevant today. I think Sarah Grimke would be very proud of this depiction.
Beloved Sue Monk Kidd pulls at your heart with her novel, The Invention of Wings. Two young women in the 19th century strive to find the meaning for their lives and leave their own mark. A story of courage. I totally enjoyed it.
Marie F Martin
The Invention of Wings: A Novel by Sue Monk Kidd While writing the book, the author states that she was inspired by the words of professor Julius Lester, which she kept propped up on her desk: History is not just facts and events. History is also pain in the heart, and we repeat history until we are able to make another’s pain in the heart our own. This story was comprised of many true people, and events in history. Knowing she wanting to write about sister in her next book, and living in Charleston, SC she came across some information on a pair of sisters, who became well known for their work as abolitionist and speakers for the equality of women. Sarah and Angelina Grimk, were ahead of their times, but having grown up in a slave owning society it took them awhile to be able to change their lives and to help others. Besides the sisters, other great characters were slaves, Hetty, aka handful, and her mother also very strong woman that, happened to be born at the wrong time in history. The author brings all of the characters to life in fascinating ways, we are able to see both sides of this time in history and see the different viewpoints. I loved the pieces told of African folklore which mainly were told through Handfuls mother, and the beautiful story quilt she made. This story is so well written, you are swept up right away into these peoples lives.
I am glad I got the (Original Publisher’s Edition-No Annotations) with no distractions. This book is really worth reading.
Sue Monk Kidd is an author you can always count on for well-researched novels that pull me into the story with beguiling characters, crisp dialogue and richly crafted settings. She is a master storyteller.
Characters are engaging, Courageous and strong.Reminder of how people use to be and that we must strive to be better
I have read this book MULTIPLE times! Kidd intricately develops her major characters and immerses the reader in this captivating novel. I feel like the girls in the story are my family and friends within just a few short chapters. Charleston, SC is one of my favorite vacation spots. Kidd depicts the city in an era pre-Civil War and illustrates a vivid tour of the setting.
~ Heather R. Pope, Author of “Mia and the Lemonade Solution”
Sue Monk Kidd is one of my favorites!!
It was such an insightful read. Yet painful when we read,see and hear how as the “white” race think we are so superior to any other! Karma can be a scary thing when we realize Paybacks are a #€%¥£!
As history, this book is vital to understanding the early days of women’s rights through the historical characters of Sarah and Angelina Grimke, as well as the connection between women’s rights and the anti-slavery movement in both the White and Black communities. The bravery of those who resisted is inspirational. The resistors include the Grimke sisters and the two Grimke slaves, Handful and her mother. All of these women demonstrate depth of character: growth, resilience and strength. Their struggles and victories should resonate deeply with anyone trying to live an authentic life, where actions match beliefs and values.
This was an enlightening Read that shows perspectives from slaves, slave owners and reluctant slave owners. It is written to educate and reflect upon.
I really enjoyed this book as I love when history is mixed with fiction
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, although many parts of it are poignant. I admire most of the characters for their stamina, in spite of the odds that are stacked against them. I enjoyed the parallel between the female slave owners who escape the mold in which society has placed them and the female slaves who escape the hell of slavery.
This book based on the true story combined with Sue’s wonderful storytelling ability and character development kept me reading for hours. I was so inspired by their lives to follow the call on my life as well and to stand and pursue the things that I feel passionately about.
I didn’t want to put it down. Loved, Loved it!!
Used this in a Book Study paired with Dr. Martin Luther King’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail. It was the most powerful book group I have ever conducted. Sue Monk Kidd’s novel is inspiring. People are still talking to me about it three years later. Memorable.
Amazing story of abolition and women’s rights – great read.
Sue Monk Kidd never fails to entertain.
Great historical, informational fiction.
A powerful story about empowerment and self-expression. Friendship that transcends vast differences. Women and slaves struggling to find their place in the world.
I did not realize until late into this book that it was based on a true story. Another piece of Southern History that was not passed on to those in my generation anyway. A fascinating and well done story.