The Invention of Wings: by Sue Monk Kidd -- Sidekick

by BookBuddy

Readers of all cultural backgrounds can gain insightful knowledge of American history from Sue Monk Kidd's third novel, The Invention of Wings . This expertly-written sidekick to the novel offers further intrigue as you explore the themes and characters in a chapter-by-chapter format. Based on real people in history, Sarah Grimké and a female slave named Handful form an unusual friendship in the midst of Charleston during the early 19th century. Sue Monk Kidd alternates between the two protagonists' viewpoints to illustrate a complete picture of life during this time. The The Invention of Wings brings historical events to life through a fictionalized story of two women from contrasting backgrounds.

Along with analyzing the characters and plot, this sidekick gets you more involved in the novel by asking you to consider differing views on slavery and compare women's rights to the abolitionist movement. The novel covers 1803 through 1838, and readers witness how Sarah evolves from a wealthy 11-year-old into a famous abolitionist. Travel from Charleston to Philadelphia with the characters to see the contrasting lifestyles of the South and North. The Invention of Wings offers a compelling story that educates readers on historical social issues in a way that is sure to entertain.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2014

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding the words to review this book may be difficult because not only was it awe-inspiring, it was life-changing!! The story begins in the early 1800's when Sara Grimke turns 11 and is given a child slave as a gift. Though, Sara is from a well to do Southern family, she identifies with none of their ways. Starving for vocation in a male-dominated world, she becomes quite rebellious and lives the rest of her life as an abolitionist and women's right activist. But to sum it up like that really leaves much to be desired. The story travels back and forth from Sara Grimke to Handful, her childhood gift. Though law calls Handful, property, and lists her and the other slaves on their inventory sheets between carpets and tea sets, Sara sees her as a special friend and sister. The journey this books sets you upon is one that you can never unread. I listened this an an audiobook and was so glad I did. Sue Monk Kidd has blossomed as a beautiful writer over the years and this is her best work by far! She does a beautiful job at not telling the story but showing it. I felt I was there and knew these characters as people in my own life, not an easy feat for a writer. I could go on for days about the details in this story from the quilts Handful's mother made, to the attempted uprisings to the hopes to save one's sole by hiding it in a tree. Just beautiful all the way around.
I didn't want the story to end but imagine my surprise when the notes from the author revealed that these were real people!!! Sadly, history has been erased for many women activist and what they stood for! We always give credit to our military for keeping us free, which is well deserved, without a doubt! There are other heroes in our history, though, who have not been given their due credit for the freedom of lives within our own country. The youth of this country need to hear the stories of the people, not only in this book, but of all the brave souls who stood up for what was right and not popular. As you can probably tell, I highly recommend this book!!

Edited to add that I have seen comments where people were highly distracted by the book which contained comments by Oprah. Please try to find a copy without Oprah comments in it. They distract from the story.

[Saxonjus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book for a long time & finally one of the first to have it from the library.I loved this book,a really compelling storey.Both characters a slave for different reasons,one for the colour of her skin & the other for being in an upper class society & being a female.Both find each others kindred spirits & both face harsh consequences if they are found flaunting the slave/owner relationship let alone trying to further their own education

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hetty "Handful" Grimke is a slave in Charleston in the early 1800's. Hetty is a servant to the wealthy Grimke family, and she desperately wants a life outside the walls of the mansion. The Grimke's daughter, Sarah, also wants more to life than being a pampered girl. She and Handful become besft friends, even though Handful becomes her property, a "gift" on her 11th birthday. The book spans 35 years in the girls' lives, through thick and thin together, slave to owner, girl to girl, friend to friend. I absolutely loved this book. The characters are real enough that you want to reach out and hug them. You will root for these two lovely ladies, one born into wealth, one born into slavery, who have more in common as time goes on.

[David Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book about slavery. Hard to see how the characters can be so opposed to slavery but not do more. But then realizing the 20 years of prison is real and understand more about their reluctance.

[Diane Kusinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting story!

[Janis Knecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd is a story about freedom, the thing so abstract when you have it, and so real when you don't. Though fiction, this book is based on life of the Grimke sisters who fought for the abolishment of slavery, also being among first female abolitionists and advocates of women's rights.

Actual Hetty "Helpful" suffered a terrible fate in real life, but in the novel the author changed her fate and gave her prolonged life, creating a special relationship with another main character through all the difficulties that they both go through their lives. At the same time their relationship and friendship is not romanticized by Monk Kidd, but it's the best possible in relation to the time in which they live, constantly and painfully reminded of the need to be separated imposed by society that surrounds them.

Kidd wasn't afraid to show in her work the dark side of America in those years, torture and humiliation that have experienced human beings treated as less valuable because of different skin color, but her work is nevertheless touching, profound and emotional in every possible way.

[Bethwoodhall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as "Bees" and I enjoyed it more than "Mermaid". The authors notes at the end explained that Sarah Grimkey and her sister Nina were real people and this imagined story is would have taken place prior to the two being infamous abolitionists and suffragettes. Had I known this prior to reading, I may have given the book a five star rating, as my imagination would have thought beyond the words. Enjoyed the story line of the quilts and wonder if there is historical notes to substantiate the part of the story. Good read.

[Sarah Weathersby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rated it as OK. It's like Cliff Notes, and just what I need to refresh my memory for a book club discussion in two months.

[Jan Daker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read sidekick but can't get it off!

[NoirBlogger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my bag but can see why people might like it