The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Review by Mirah W. (mwelday)
I have a ‘love/hate’ relationship with Sue Monk Kidd. Well, maybe hate is strong word. Perhaps it’s better to say I have a ‘love/don’t really love’ relationship with Sue Monk Kidd. I loved her first novel The Secret Life of Bees. It was such an honest, earthly, coming of age story. And then came The Mermaid Chair and I was so disappointed. I had a hard time finishing that book, to be honest. So when a friend recommended The Invention of Wings I thought, ‘Ok, Sue, what’s it going to be this time? Should I give you another try?’ My mind told me to go with my friend’s recommendation and I am so glad I did!
The Invention of Wings is the story of Sarah Grimké and Hetty “Handful” Grimké, beginning in 1803 and Sarah’s eleventh birthday. Sarah’s family has long owned slaves and for Sarah’s eleventh birthday she is given Handful. Sarah, even at age eleven, feels she should not be given a person as property and tried to reject the gift. In the end, Handful remains with the family, owned by Sarah’s mother, but Handful serves Sarah. A friendship of sorts develops and Sarah grows into a woman of conviction and her choices put her on a course to defy her family and follow her conscience.
Hetty “Handful” Grimké is the daughter of Charlotte, a strong woman who belongs to the Grimké family and talented seamstress. She instills a strength and quiet rebellion in Handful and wants nothing more than for Handful to one day be free of her slavery bonds.
The stories of Sarah and Handful cross decades as both women search for understanding and truth during their lives. Sarah’s defiance of her family’s traditions and beliefs separates her from Handful and during that separation Handful experiences her own defiance and search to make a difference.
Told from both character’s perspectives, The Invention of Wings is a story of strength and resilience but it is also about the role of guilt in the lives of the two women and how that impacts their decisions and relationship to one another. I am so glad I have Kidd another chance and read The Invention of Wings and I hope others will read it, too. I am happy to say I give The Invention of Wings 5 out of 5 stars!
Tags: Book Recommendations, Book Reviews, Book Suggestions, historical fiction
