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The Invention of Wings
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, Adepero Oduye, Sue Monk Kidd
- Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins
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Publisher's Summary
From the celebrated author of The Secret Life of Bees, a magnificent novel about two unforgettable American women.
Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, Sue Monk Kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the world - and it is now the newest Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 selection.
Hetty “Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke’s daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women.
Kidd’s sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah’s eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid. We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other’s destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love.
As the stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women’s rights movements.
Inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, Kidd goes beyond the record to flesh out the rich interior lives of all of her characters, both real and invented, including Handful’s cunning mother, Charlotte, who courts danger in her search for something better.
This exquisitely written novel is a triumph of storytelling that looks with unswerving eyes at a devastating wound in American history, through women whose struggles for liberation, empowerment, and expression will leave no reader unmoved.
What the critics say
“A remarkable novel that heightened my sense of what it meant to be a woman - slave or free... a conversation changer.” (Oprah Winfrey, O, The Oprah Magazine)
“Exhilarating...powerful...By humanizing these formidable women, The Invention of Wings furthers our essential understanding of what has happened among us as Americans - and why it still matters.” (The Washington Post)
“A textured masterpiece, quietly yet powerfully poking our consciences and our consciousness... leaves us feeling uplifted and hopeful.” (NPR)
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What listeners say about The Invention of Wings
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 2023-06-10
It was a nice story
The only reason why I give the story itself Three stars is because I wish that Sarah could’ve achieved her dreams and I would’ve liked to read about handful being settled and free. Plus I wish that handful. Plus I wish Sarah would’ve stayed close handful even though nina was close to Sarah
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- candice
- 2022-06-06
Spectacular Book
I so enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees, so was looking forward to this book. It was as good as, if not even better, absolutely beautiful. The characters were based on real people and events that actually happened, along which the author’s brilliant imagination… woven together in a bittersweet story with characters I will miss in my daily read ! The narration by 2 different actors of the 2 main characters added to the depth of this audible version of this story. 5 stars all the way.
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- Jenna Wright
- 2018-06-30
Best Audiobook I’ve Enjoyed Yet!
This story was completely captivating and the two narrators were exceptional. I was sad to have it end.
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2 people found this helpful
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- M.S.
- 2020-08-20
Interesting book
The story follows two main characters from the childhood to adulthood in the time when not too many people had questioning the slavery in the South. The book was inspired by the life of the Grimke’s sisters from the early nineteenth century and their quest for freedom not just to free the slaves but also to lift the limits imposed on the girls and women even from the wealthy families. Many people are not aware of the struggle for freedom of the historical figure of Sarah and Angelina Grimke.
Inspired story.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Jo-Anne
- 2022-07-01
Excellent in every way.
Excellent, educational, inspirational,
compelling story of little known and fascinating historical women. The narrator’s voices perfectly set the tone and characters.
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- jennifer j.
- 2020-07-23
Jennifer. Jamieson
Enjoyable story of two sisters who fought against slavery, fought for equal rights for women and the right to vote.It is fascinating to go back in history and be grateful today for rights we take for granted
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- Sharron padden
- 2021-08-31
The Invention of Wings
A very comprehensive book about the African American and women’s fight for equality in America. The characters are gripping and the narration are excellent.
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- carlee
- 2018-09-19
A Great Story and Listen
#Audible1 This was the first book I bought through audible, as I had been meaning to read it for years. It's a great story and the narrator switches back and forth which keeps it interesting. All the speakers have great voices. Never a dull moment!
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3 people found this helpful
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- Cheryl C.
- 2022-07-08
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
This is a fantastic story and the narrators do a great job with the voices and storytelling. Highly recommend! I enjoyed every moment. I’ll definitely listen to more of her books on Audible.
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- Megan
- 2023-01-27
So Good!!!
I wish it didn’t end! Highly recommend to anyone! The narrators drew me right in.
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