The Invention of Wings

I was really excited to read this book as I had heard and read such great things about it. I would give it 3.5 stars if that were an option. The writing is beautiful, I found though that the story dragged at points. I also had a hard time with what seemed like current day values being imposed on history. It helped me to keep reading when I saw that Sarah was based on a real woman who was an abolitionist.

I didn't realize until the end of the book that it was based on real history. A compelling read that was hard for me to put down. I highly recommend this book!

Loved!!

Inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, an abolitionist and spokesperson for women's rights. "Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do."

Hetty (aka Handful), a young slave on a Charleston plantation, is given to Sarah on her eleventh birthday as a handmaid. The story follows the lives of Hetty and Sarah over the course of 35 years, laying bare the differing difficulties that both endure throughout their lives.

This story is inspired by the historical figure Sarah Grimke, and it was fascinating to read more about the lives and accomplishments of her and her younger sister after finishing the story.

Hetty is indeed a "handful", and a willful young girl who grows into an impressively strong young woman.

Sarah likewise is willful, and finds herself constricted by social standards for women. She is smart and ambitious, but trapped in a man's world. So she carves out a place for herself in a world that only views women as wives and mothers or property or burden.

My final word: I liked this story. There were a lot of hard moments to get through, but overall it was rather inspiring and perhaps even empowering. And it made me realize how closely intertwined women's rights and civil rights were, as the real Sarah Grimke was heavily involved with both. Hetty is equally impressive in her struggles, and fights tooth and nail for everything. This is a great book club read!