The Invention of Wings

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd is my favorite book of 2014 and even though it’s early in the year, I expect that this excellent historical fiction novel will top my list for months to come. 

I originally picked up the book as a possible addition for Junior Theme readers, since many of our high school students write papers about The Secret Life of Bees, also by Sue Monk Kidd. I was quickly intrigued by the story of two Southern aristocratic sisters, Sarah and Angelina Grimke, their role as abolitionists and as early champions of women’s rights, and the hostility and resistance they met in the years prior to the American Civil War. I particularly valued the author’s efforts to explore the Grimkes’ motivations, especially how Sarah’s own struggles may have ultimately strengthened her efforts and empathy for others. Kidd aptly inter-weaves the sisters' destinies with those of “Handful” and her mother, slaves who endure hardships, assist with a potential revolt and take comfort from crafting their own story quilt. Whether from society's expectations or from slavery itself, all of these women are striving to be free.  

The Invention of Wings is a novel about courage, frustration, and resolve. Sarah Grimke says of her sister, “she was braver than I. She always had been. I cared too much for the opinion of others, she cared not a whit. I was cautious, she was brash.  I was a thinker, she was a doer. I kindled fires, she spread them.  And right then and ever after, I saw how cunning the Fates had been. Nina was one wing, I was the other.”

I enthusiastically recommend this novel to students and staff. Consider pairing it with another new historical novel, The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini about Elizabeth Van Lew, a Southerner who supported the Union, OR with The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton, a collection of folktales and an ALA Notable Children’s Book. Sue Monk Kidd’s informative author notes describe Hamilton’s book, recommend additional reading, and also mention the inspiration from Judy Chicago's Dinner Party.   Hopefully, Kidd will consider writing more about one of the many other honorees or about other historical figures…. maybe the Fox sisters, “spiritualists” from upstate New York?  For more reviews and an interview with Sue Monk Kidd see this NPR page.   And for more information, including an excerpt in Handful/Hetty's voice, see the publisher's site here.