The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
348811
I found the invention of Wings to be a partly true story of the South where they love their "Mamies" and dispise Negroes. Yet with the help of good White people the Negroes are befriended and loved. I like when a book is part truth and part fiction because it adds to it's importance as a novel.
3717609
Excellent. A thought provoking story which is historically significant. I would recommend to women of all ages. Another great job Sue Monk Kidd!
4264547
It was a pleasant surprise and honor to be asked to review On Wings of Air (Book I, Earth and Sky).  This is not a childrens book, but would be of value to children capable of understanding its wisdom as a most joyous learning experience.  In my 72 years Ive found very few books that I would recommend to others.  This is one of them.  The principal characters, Tierra and Skye, are well presented as living in two opposing cultures with many parallels to problems of modern societies.  These two, princess and prince, master and slave, grow to love each other during the course of the book, while their respective parents, Kings and Queens of different realms toil fruitlessly to keep them apart.  These interact with a host of other characters, friend and foe alike, in allegory after allegory, of mystery, fantasy, and intrigue.  Each chapter is presented by portions of an epic poem, The Book of Celeste, which serves to prepare the reader as well as reinforce the conflicting themes.  There are many threads throughout the book that suggest solutions for many of lifes problems based in the survival of good over evil.  I could not put the book down after I got past my own prejudices.  The story is captivating and follows theatrical structures both familiar and fantastical leading to an ending that is exciting, mysterious, and unexpected.  I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
4889900
The Invention of Wings: A Novel  by Sue Monk Kidd
While writing the book, the author states that she was inspired by the words of professor Julius Lester, which she kept propped up on her desk: History is not just facts and events. History is also pain in the heart, and we repeat history until we are able to make another's pain in the heart our own.
This story was comprised of many true people, and events in history. Knowing she wanting to write about sister in her next book, and living in Charleston, SC she came across some information on a pair of sisters, who became well known for their work as abolitionist and speakers for the equality of women.  Sarah and Angelina Grimk, were ahead of their times, but having grown up in a slave owning society it took them awhile to be able to change their lives and to help others. Besides the sisters, other great characters were slaves, Hetty, aka handful, and her mother also very strong woman that, happened to be born at the wrong time in history.  The author brings all of the characters to life in fascinating ways, we are able to see both sides of this time in history and see the different viewpoints. I loved the pieces told of African folklore which mainly were told through Handfuls mother, and the beautiful story quilt she made.
This story is so well written, you are swept up right away into these peoples lives.
I am glad I got the (Original Publisher's Edition-No Annotations) with no distractions. This book is really worth reading.
3914980
I enjoyed Merlin's Sister very much Thank You J.A.Thornbury a must read for all ages !!
3864505
Though I disapprove of the promiscuity of the main characters in this story (I loved THE SECRET LIVES OF BEES and THE INVENTION OF WINGS), I appreciate Sun Monk Kidds ability to create descriptions that I find myself reading over and over.  They are original and a propos to the storyline.  For example:  I felt tears collecting.  My bottom lids bloated with them.  For that reason I look forward to her next novel.

-Hope Irvin Marston, author of EYE ON THE IDITAROD: AISLINGS QUEST.
561823
I so enjoy reading historical novels and this one is Sue Monk Kidd's best to date.  It can be dark but it provides one with an element of determination and hope for greater things.  You won't want to put it down. Very moving.  Inspirational as well.  Sad part of our country's history, a part that we don't want to repeat.  Loved this book. So much history on one of the best historical places in our country, Charleston, SC.
1995339
One of my favorite authors, Sue Monk Kidd, a native Southerner, has written another memorable book, The Invention of Wings, a novel that spans 35 years, beginning in 1803.

For her eleventh birthday, Sarah Grimke is given a personal slave, Hetty, who goes by the name Handful. Horrified, Sarah tries to refuse the gift, but is seriously rebuked by her aristocratic family. Sarahs father is a highly respected South Carolina Supreme Court justice and her mother a rigid taskmaster who doles out harsh punishment to their many slaves.

Handful, ten when the story begins, is third-generation slave. Shes adorned with lavender ribbons, like a wrapped present, when shes given to Sarah. Although the gift cannot be rescinded, Handful and Sarah form a bond that will eventually shape their lives. Sarah refuses to treat Handful as a slave, but a slave she is and as such is expected to work long hours, then sleep on the floor in the hallway by Sarahs bedroom in the event her mistress has needs during the night.

The book artfully toggles between Sarah and Handfuls stories. Deeply affected by the mistreatment of the slaves, Sarah silently rebels. She develops a speech impediment after witnessing the whipping of a woman slave, an impediment that haunts her the rest of her life. When Sarah teaches Handful to read, an act thats against the law in antebellum South Carolina, both girls are severely punished.

Sarah has a good relationship with one of her older brothers and later, when little sister Angelina is born, the two girls become inseparable.

Divided into six parts, the book progresses through Sarah and Handfuls lives and the social attitudes of the time.

Sarah and  sister Angelina move north, to slave-free Philadelphia, and begin promoting abolition of slavery and for womens rights. Surprisingly, they find strong support for abolition, but resistence for womens rights.

Meanwhile, Handful has reached middle-age and yearns to be free. Sarah and Handful have remained friends, keep up a correspondence, and struggle for their common goal, freedom.

The Invention of Wings is loosely based on the true story of Sarah and Angelina Grimke who became famous, even infamous, speakers against slavery and for womens suffrage.  Many of the situations portrayed are real-life events. Kidd describes the barbaric mistreatment of slaves in vivid detail. The story takes place pre-Civil War, and Kidd does a good job presenting both sides of slavery. I highly recommend this powerful and sweeping novel of American history.
4524378
I've enjoyed Sue Monk Kidd's other writing but this book is spectacular.  It is well researched, informative and fun! I loved her commentary at the end.
4502677
Very worthy story and writing. Sue Monk Kidd does not disappoint.
1452540
I am a big Sue Monk Kidd fan. I was really looking forward to this book and was not disappointed. Slavery is always a tough subject to read about but it's part of our history. I loved the characters and enjoyed growing up with them.
1908552
I think this book was a very good book. I liked it because it was about a girl who helped migrate geese. Her father was a inventor so that made the book very interesting. I think this book was a very well written book. I  would tell others to read this book.
885455
I love the details of the construction on the aeroplane.  It was one of those books I did not want to put down.
989685
The Invention of Wings is a moving tale about real abolitionist sisters who also started the suffragette movement.  Kidd does an amazing job conveying the emotions and horrible self righteousness of that time period.  Well done!
3868029
As with THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, Sue Monk Kidd grabbed me with her setting and characters, making me care about what happened to Sarah, and her slave, Handful.
I was about halfway through the book before I flipped to the back and read the author's write-up about the history behind Sarah, and her sister, Angelina. They were real people (shows how much I knew about that history!) and were interesting, powerful, headstrong women who made a difference in spreading the anti-slavery spirit.
About the only thing I can say against the book is it was a little long, but I really enjoyed it.
4235046
An inspiring, well written novel. The characters were very well developed and evoked emotions from the reader. I would most certainly recommend "The Invention of Wings" to others.
2880244
Did not want the book to end, but when it did it was very satisfactory!  I have read other Sue Monk Kidd books and love them.