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44 pages 1 hour read

The Invention of Wings

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014

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Book Brief

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Sue Monk Kidd

The Invention of Wings

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014
Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Charleston, South Carolina • 1800s

Publication Year

2014

Publisher

Viking

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

920L

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Super Short Summary

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd is a historical novel set in the 1800s that traces the intersecting lives of abolitionist sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimké, and Sarah’s enslaved maid, Hetty Handful Grimké. Spanning 35 years, it begins with Sarah receiving Handful as a birthday present and ends with Sarah helping Handful and her sister Sky escape enslavement, fulfilling a promise made to Handful’s mother.

Emotional

Inspirational

Challenging

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.4

374,720 ratings

85%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Sue Monk Kidd's The Invention of Wings draws acclaim for its compelling portrayal of two women fighting against slavery and societal constraints, offering rich historical detail and poignant character development. However, some readers feel its pacing lags at times. Overall, it effectively illuminates critical issues through engrossing storytelling and nuanced perspectives.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Invention of Wings?

A reader who would enjoy The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd is typically drawn to historical fiction with strong female protagonists, social justice themes, and intricate character development. Fans of The Help by Kathryn Stockett or Beloved by Toni Morrison will likely find this book equally compelling.

4.4

374,720 ratings

85%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

Hetty Handful Grimké

Known as Handful, she is a slave in the Grimké household who develops a close bond with Sarah Grimké, characterized by shared learning and aspirations, as she navigates the harsh realities of slavery in early-19th century Charleston.

The second eldest Grimké daughter, known for her strong abolitionist stance and advocacy for women's rights, who defies societal norms and forms a profound friendship with the family’s slave, Handful.

Handful's mother and a skilled seamstress enslaved by the Grimké family, who influences her daughter through storytelling and life lessons that emphasize independence and family history.

Sarah's youngest sister, known for her beauty and bold spirit, who follows Sarah to the North and joins her in abolitionist and women's rights endeavors.

The authoritative and strict matriarch of the Grimké household, enforcing the laws of the slaveholding society on her family and slaves, though occasionally revealing a more empathetic side.

Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Charleston, South Carolina • 1800s

Publication Year

2014

Publisher

Viking

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

920L

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