The Invention of Wings - September book club

This Book is amazing and enthralling I just could not put it down. From start to finish you are captivated by it.
I thank Sue Monk Kidd for writing a book that explains in a most informative and factual way, without being repetitive that helps you understand things you were never aware of with clarity.
This book has touched my heart and I will be talking about it for years to come!
There are also some great quotes in the book too.
I started to read this and then looked Sarah and Nina (Angelina) up on the internet to see their photo's, but stopped at that as I wanted to read without knowing what happened to them, and immerse myself totally, which I did.
Thank you Gransnet for my book (which will be passed on) It will be etched into my mind and soul forever!

I do not have a question for Sue as such as the Q and A at the back of the book explained so much more, but like Sue I would (if only I could) like to take afternoon tea with them and see their reaction to what their life choices have made to the USA all these years later.

All I can say is you have to read this beautiful book its great.

Thank you Gransnet for my copy of The Invention of Wings. I have been away so only started it on Sunday but three days later am half way through and have to make myself put it down to do other things. I had also enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees, and find a similarity in the relationship between the white "mistress" and black slave in both books, although only being half way through, it may be that this relationship doesn't last. I haven't read any other comments in case they indicate the ending. I love the picture on the front with Handful's shoulder blade "Wings".

I wonder what prompted Sue Monk Kidd to take this theme. Did she hear about terrible exploitation of the Slaves and it forced her to write about it? By coincidence my daughter has just lent me The Mermaid Chair also by Sue Monk Kidd, and I am saving that to read next, but have looked at the summary and don't think it has the same Mistress/Slave theme.
Milly

I started reading this book at midnight last night and looked at my alarm clock a few minutes (I thought) later, to find it was 2 o'clock. Instantly unputdownable! I'll be back when I've finished it.

I wonder if Sue Monk Kidd liked the film that was made of The
Secret Life of Bees. I enjoyed it very much but not as much as
the book. I am sure they will make a film of The
Invention of Wings but it will never be as good as the book.
I was just disappointed when I finished the book as I wanted
it to go on.
.

I'm a bit nervous about coming on here (because of possible spoilers), as I'm behind with the reading and have only finished the first few chapters. However, I am loving the book and ploughing through it. So am typing this through screwed up eyes so that I can't read what's above , plus I quickly scrolled down to here. So there may be typos!

I am fascinated that the author has so accurately captured the slave character voices, so my question to her is, how on earth did you learn that language and make it seem so authentic?

I grew up in Africa and I love the familiarity of "basket" names. At one time we had someone work for us who was called Leadus. I couldn't quite make the name out, and pronounced it "Ledus" until it was pointed out to me that he was named after "... and lead us not into temptation ..." Another time the man who worked with my husband (in his small business) was Ornament. Which makes perfect sense as a name for an adored new baby.

SPOILER ALERT. I have reported this and asked for its removal.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Loved the book and have recommended to my book club. It would make an amazing film. Are there any plans to make one?

I am another who loved this book! I understand that Sue came late to writing so would love some inspiration to help me believe that it's not too late to do something you really want to. Also (if I am allowed to ask another) was she surprised at the enormous success she has had?

I would like to ask Sue Monk Kidd what inspired this book? I loved it and couldn't put it down.

I finished the Invention of Wings last week and have to say I really enjoyed it and would thoroughly recommend. I wouldn't have normally picked up a book about slavery as I like escapism, but I found the ' faction' approach and the use of first person story telling from the two main characters Handful and Sarah, really enlivened the novel. Thus we learned as we enjoyed, with the interweaving of fact and fiction, pathos and history in a unique way. I had forgotten some facts about slavery, particularly that abolitionists did not necessarily believe in racial equality. I re learned about the stifling lack of equality for American women and that, though they did not experience the violence inflicted on European suffragettes, they had very hostile backlashes in their struggle for the vote, even from such religious groups as the Quakers. What I loved most, though, was the colourful and courageous voice of Handful, who, as she said herself ' always had something smart to say' Though Handful was the slave, her stance of 'hit me if you dare' was something that her owner Sarah learned to adopt in her own struggle for equality later on. As Handful said, her body was imprisoned but her mind was not, which was the opposite to Sarah, the white woman from a privileged background. I laughed out loud at some of Handfuls turns of phrase, in particular, when she was about to face a confrontation... ' tell your backside to brace up'!! First time I have read Sue Monk Kidd, but I will look out the rest of her books now! Thanks, Gransnet, for going me the opportunity to read this one.

Thanks for a very interesting book. Enjoyed the events in the book especially when I discovered that it was based on fact.

Thank you for the quick delivery of this amazing book which I have now finished reading. I had no experience of the Author Sue who brought the book to life and captured the characters. I enjoyed the fact that the girls names were highlighted so there was no confusion at each chapter. I was interested that the book was based on a true story and I would definitely read more books from the Author well done Sue on creating a great adaptation to the real lives of these girls great book to read.

Thank you very much I am really enjoying my copy of this book. Very enlightening to realise that 2 girls opposite ends of the spectrum could have such similar problems and worries. Interesting to know that these are actually real people but perhaps that is what makes it so believable and thought provoking.

Thank you so much for my copy of this book, near the end now and can't put it down.

It really brings to life what life must have been like in parts of America and the scary thing is it was not so long ago.

Brilliant read.

Could not put it down fantastic read thank you so much

Halfway through this wonderful book and can't wait to see what happens to Sarah and Handful. I read Uncle Tom's Cabin twice and wonder if this had any influence with the author. Looking forward to reading more of Sue Monk Kidd's other works.

Thank you very much for my copy of The Invention of Wings. I too didn't realise the main characters were real people until the end. However I was not concerned where the crossover from real to fiction was as I enjoyed reading the story. It was educational for me as well as a jolly good read. Well done those women! We have a lot to be thankful for altho there are still causes we could all support for more rights for women universally.

I was thrilled to win a copy of this book as I never win anything. I had never heard of this author before so was not sure what to expect. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It was a really great story and not something I would have thought to read through choice. The two leading characters were so interesting and different and both were under restraint in their own way. I will certainly be looking out for this author in the future.

This was such a good read. Everyone should read this book. I liked the way the story was told through the two girls eyes. Both felt powerless - but one was rich, white and indulged and the other black and abused. I felt frustrated by how long it took Sarah to really do anything to change the situation but I expect she did too and I was frequently angry on Hettys behalf at the way she was treated. I am glad I didnt know until I read the authors notes at the end that this was based in fact. Like a previous commenter I am uncomfortable about works of fiction being drawn around real characters as the author cannot relate what was really going on in their lives. However I think Sarah was obviously an inspirational character and I am glad the book highlighted the fantastic work she did to promote emancipation of women and abolition of slavery

A wonderful mesmorising book, couldn't put it down

Thank you for the book and I came to it quite late due to illness but am already half way through it. I love the way its written and become really absorbed into the life of the characters and feel for them.I will comment more when I have finished it, but I just wanted to let you know I am loving it.

Thank you for a wonderful book, really absorbing and I didn't know this was based on a true story, Sue Monk Kidd certainly brought these people back to life. {smile}

Thanks for this book, which I've started reading alongside another book that I was part way through - unfortunately I made the mistake of 'glancing' through the first couple of pages and then couldn't put it down!! Will post again when I've finished it.