The Invention of Wings
From the celebrated author of The Secret Life of Bees, a #1 New York Times bestselling 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. 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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Community Reviews
A captivating historical novel that intricately weaves together the lives of two extraordinary women against the backdrop of early 19th-century Charleston. Inspired by the real-life abolitionist and suffragist Sarah Grimké, the author presents a narrative rich in historical detail and emotional depth, vividly capturing the spirit of the struggle for freedom and equality.
Crafted into a story that is both enlightening and emotionally engaging, marking it as a significant contribution to historical fiction. Through the intertwined lives of Sarah and Handful, the novel not only illuminates the past but also resonates powerfully with contemporary issues of equality and justice. This is a book that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page is turned.
It is powerful, intense, and profound in every way. I went into it not knowing whether I wanted to read another book about slavery but came away very glad that I did read this one. I love the way the author took the time at the end of the book to explain her research and what drew her to write about this subject and these characters. Although I had never heard of Sarah and Angelina Grimke before, I thank Ms Kidd for letting me finally get to know them. I love Handful and Charlotte too along with the imagery and stories in the slave quilts. #mightywomen
I was nearly to the end of this jewel when I did some research and learned the Grimke sisters were real historic figures and abolitionists. When Sarah abandoned her hometown and religious tradition to go North and become a Quaker, I thought it was a bit far-fetched - never imagining this was, in fact, true! What an amazing woman who, along with her sister, has been given a rightfully-bestowed spotlight on her role in the anti-slavery and women’s rights movements. The story was engaging, including the lives imagined for her family’s slaves. While the slave characters were fictional, the details of their treatment and rules were, sadly, a reality of suffering and endurance experienced by many. Very glad someone in my Bookclub mentioned this book by Sue Monk Kidd. I will seek out some of her other work.
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