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An exclusive free sample chapter from THE INVENTION OF WINGS…


From the celebrated author of the international bestseller THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES comes an extraordinary novel about two exceptional women.


Sarah Grimké is the middle daughter. The one her mother calls difficult and her father calls remarkable. On Sarah's eleventh birthday, Hetty 'Handful' Grimké is taken from the slave quarters she shares with her mother, wrapped in lavender ribbons, and presented to Sarah as a gift. Sarah knows what she does next will unleash a world of trouble. She also knows that she cannot accept. And so, indeed, the trouble begins ...


A powerful, sweeping novel, inspired by real events, and set in the American Deep South in the nineteenth century, THE INVENTION OF WINGS evokes a world of shocking contrasts, of beauty and ugliness, of righteous people living daily with cruelty they fail to recognise; and celebrates the power of friendship and sisterhood against all the odds.

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2014

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About the author

Sue Monk Kidd

52 books14k followers
Sue Monk Kidd was raised in the small town of Sylvester, Georgia, a place that deeply influenced the writing of her first novel The Secret Life of Bees. She graduated from Texas Christian University in 1970 and later took creative writing courses at Emory University and Anderson College, as well as studying at Sewanee, Bread Loaf, and other writers’ conferences. In 2016, TCU conferred on her an honorary doctor of letters degree. She was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 2011 and into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2022.

Her book When the Heart Waits, published by Harper San Francisco in 1990 has become a touchstone on contemplative spirituality. The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, also published by Harper in 1996, describes Kidd’s journey into feminist theology, a memoir that had a groundbreaking effect within religious circles.

When her first novel, The Secret Life of Bees, was published by Viking in 2002, it became a genuine literary phenomenon, spending more than 2½ years on the New York Times bestseller list. It has been translated into over 36 languages and sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. Bees was named the Book Sense Paperback Book of the Year in 2004, long-listed for the 2002 Orange Prize in England, and won numerous other awards. For over a decade, the novel was produced on stage by The American Place Theater, and in 2008 it was adapted into a movie by Fox Searchlight, which won the People’s Choice award for best movie and the NAACP Image award for best picture. An Off Broadway musical of Bees ran at The Atlantic Theater in 2019, winning the AUDELCO VIV award for best musical, and debuted in London at the Almeida Theater in 2023. The novel is taught widely in middle school, high school, and college classrooms.

Kidd’s second novel, The Mermaid Chair, has sold well over a million copies since its publication by Viking in 2005, reaching #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and remaining on the hardcover and paperback lists for nine months. Winner of the 2005 Quill Award for General Fiction, the novel was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, translated into 28 languages, and made into a television movie by Lifetime.

The spiritual essays, meditations, and inspirational stories Kidd wrote in her thirties were collected into a single volume, Firstlight: The Early Inspiration Writings and published by Guideposts Books in 2006 and Penguin in 2007.

After traveling with her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor, to sacred sites in Greece, Turkey, and France, Kidd and Taylor co-authored a memoir, Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story. Published by Viking in 2009, it appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times list and has been published in several languages.

The Invention of Wings, Kidd’s third novel was published in 2014 by Viking. It debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list where it spent a total of 9 months. It has sold nearly 2 million copies and been translated into over 20 languages. The novel has won several literary awards, including the Florida Book of Year Award and the SIBA Book Award. It was a Goodreads Readers Choice Award runner up, nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award, and chosen for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0.

Kidd’s much anticipated fourth novel, The Book of Longings, was published on April 21, 2020 to widespread critical and reader acclaim. It immediately landed at the top of the bestseller lists, reaching #5 on The New York Times Hardcover Fiction list, #1 on the IndieBound bestseller list, and #2 on the Associated Press bestseller List. The novel was a finalist for Book-of-the-Month Club’s Book of the Year Award, a Goodreads Readers Choice Award runner up, a Heather’s Pick (Indigo Books) in Canada, and a Australian Women’s Day Great Read Pick. It has been translated into 17 languages thus far.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband, Sandy, and dog, Barney.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Kerry Hennigan.
586 reviews14 followers
January 27, 2014
Sue Monk Kidd has written two magical novels which remain among my favourites – The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair. When I discovered she had a new book out, I had to read it.

The Invention of Wings is an historical novel with a basis in fact – the story of Sarah Grimke, daughter of a wealthy slave-owning Charleston lawyer and one of a large number of off-spring. When, at the age of 11, Sarah is given a young slave girl as a gift, she defies convention by trying at first to refuse the gift, and then freeing the girl.

The girl is Hetty, otherwise known as ‘Handful’ and The Invention of Wings is as much her story as it is Sarah’s. It is from her mother that Hetty learns the story of the black bird’s wings, and the meaning of the triangular black symbols her mother sews into the quilts she makes. Prompted by her mother’s yearnings, Hetty’s soul longs to fly free, and as the years go by, she becomes more determined than ever to achieve that freedom no matter the cost.

Meantime it becomes Sarah’s quest, and later that of her younger sister Nina, to defy the conventions of the time - and of their outraged family - by working for the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of women. Running parallel to this is Hetty’s story - the other side of that picture, about those who endure the trials and tribulations, cruelties and injustices visited upon the ‘owned’ by their ‘owners’.

Kidd’s characters are heart-warming, their stories often heart wrenching, as they are caught up in the tides of history and events that have largely been forgotten or gone unnoticed by modern society. As well as a wonderful, captivating story, The Invention of Wings is a history lesson – and a reminder that we are only as human as our actions towards others reveal us to be.

Read The Invention of Wings and be inspired to spread your own.

Review by Kerry Hennigan
January 27, 2014
Profile Image for Michelle Proudman.
29 reviews
February 8, 2014
Loved it....what these sisters did, their courage and vulnerability was inspiring, made me ask what am I doing to make this world a better place. Why hadn't I heard of them before. They championed not only the abolition do Slavery, but Women's equality as well. Their sacrifices for their beliefs was unflinching.

Sacrifices were however a daily occurrence for the negros of the South. And they had no choice but to live their lives for their 'Masters' - the strength and cunning to survive that came from Charlotte and Handful made them to me, the true Hero's in this story.

Has the world really changed since this time of slavery and cruelty...I think not...
77 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2014
A real page turner. I loved that is was based on real people and I think the fictional aspect worked really well. I loved the characters and the way handful's life and Sarah's life were interwoven and contrasted. A great story and even more fulfilling as a woman to be reminded of the bravery of women in those times who stood for women's rights as well as being part of the abolition movement. I would highly recommend this book.
211 reviews2 followers
March 26, 2014
What a great story and made even more powerful given it was based on real characters.

There was so much I loved about this book.

The bond between Sarah and Handful and the contrast of their lives. The alternate chapters giving their different perspectives was wonderful. Telling the story in this way just really highlighted their different lives.

The relationship between Sarah and Nina and the rest of the family. The family dynamics, Sarah's relationships with her parents especially were very believable. I was touched by Sarah's relationship with Thomas.

There was the injustice of slavery and the beginning of the women's movement. Lots to inspired by , lots to be engaged by.

A very very good read , highly recommended.



8 reviews
April 5, 2014
I couldn't put this book down. Sue Monk Kidd wove history into the fictional slave household of Sarah and Angelina Grimke. Sarah and Angelina were real life anti - slavery campaigners. They both did speaking tours in America. The fictional household shows the horror of slavery, the powerless of the situation for thousands of people, both black and white. Thank goodness there were people like Sarah and Angelina!
Profile Image for Kath Lindgren.
3 reviews5 followers
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February 22, 2014
Having read it in just 10 days I absolutely loved it. I especially loved they way Sue detailed in her author's note how fact may have differed from fiction. Its a wonderful story based on true events that really makes you think about what you are but on this earth to achieve.
Profile Image for Melissa Volker.
Author 4 books20 followers
April 3, 2015
Moving, heartbreaking at times, beautifully written. I enjoyed the dual point of view. Loved the setting in Charleston and the surrounding plantations.
Profile Image for M Sahi.
157 reviews29 followers
June 23, 2014
What do I think? Well for starters I started this book and Friday and finished it on Monday, that says alot no? Ya well it aint enough.

In short guys, if you enjoyed Kathryn Stockett's "The Help", you will enjoy this book. I have a lot to say but I fear my review will not justify as to why I want you to get cracking on it.

I believe I carry a piece of every book that I enjoyed, into my tomorrow. I would recommend that book to my children and my children's children and it still wouldn't be enough, these books and their words will form part of my legacy..lol!

Its deep I know, but there are times these books make me discover that I am not as shallow as I seem to be. This book doesn't merely talk about Slavery and the attempt to banish it, but it has put light on many other aspects: The strong bond between two sisters, the struggle for gender equality, the firm threads in a family that ensure that somehow in some way a family will always stand up for each other.

How insecure were the superior races in those days, still fascinates me today. The right to underpay, overwork, and punish seemed a right bestowed upon them by God.Well that's history now, and its rarely seen today. But is history forgotten? As the author quotes the words of Professor Julius Lester "History is not just facts and events. History is also a pain in the heart and we repeat history until we are able make another's pain in the heart our own. What powerful words.

Things that I am not so thankful for?
1) I may have a backward opinion on this one. But Handful in the copper tub didn't appeal to me at all. Her audacity and ferociousness only seemed to upset Sarah. If she was proving herself an equal she was saying it to the wrong person and in the wrong way. I would like to say the same for Charlotte too. Petty theft should not have made them feel so righteous. But in the end, I guess they are humans, and we want to try and balance the pain we give and get in this world.

2) The last personal conversation between Sarah and Israel was extremely painful. What she said and I quote from the book "It was his way of telling me. I could not have him and myself both". It was wrong of Israel to make her choose. Very wrong.

So guys...I guess this is about it. There is a quote in the old English " Many attempts are nullified by saying too much". Yessum!!!
Profile Image for Sue Pit.
213 reviews13 followers
November 21, 2014
It took quite awhile for me to get engaged in this book but I am glad to have read it. I generally am not fond of historical fiction as when reading about real characters and events, I want to know it is accurate and fact based. The author generally stayed true to facts albeit there were deviations and she admits as much in her "Author's Notes". This book was suggested to me as I was going to visit Charleston, South Carolina and actually the book did enhance my visit there. I went to the "Blake House" which is where the Grimke sisters grew up. I noted that there is no piazza at that home now (which is currently a law office) and yet that is mentioned in the story several times. Did there used to be a piazza? That is not a large matter. The Grimke sisters were people that I had never heard of prior to this read but whom I now appreciate as early abolitionists and advocates of women's rights. I am impressed how they did indeed make quite an impact back in the 1830s or so when they daringly wrote and lectured in the U.S.. As the story progressed, so did my progression of interest. There is a lot of history in Charleston and this story helps brings attention to the ways of the past and how there were those who tried to make a difference.
Profile Image for Heather Noble.
152 reviews13 followers
February 22, 2014
The gripping story in this book told alternately by a slave girl, Handful, and Sarah the daughter of a slave owning family explores intellectual freedom as well as physical freedom.
On Sarah's 11th birthday she is given Handful as a gift, decorated with a lavender birthday bow. She tries without success to decline the "gift" thus incurring the wrath and disdain of the rest of her family. And so begins the difficult relationship. Sarah is ambitious and would like to become a lawyer but when she is found to be teaching Handful to read, her father denies her access to all books and insists that no woman could enter such a profession.
The women are strong characters in this book while men are continually denying freedom of thought and action. As Sarah becomes a Quaker and an outspoken abolitionist her struggle becomes one for the rights of women too.
Based on the lives of Sarah and her sister this is superb storytelling and provokes stimulating insight into what freedom is and how hard won.

To quote Handful: "My body might be a slave, but not my mind. For you, it's the other way round."
Profile Image for Noor Anand.
Author 1 book20 followers
May 30, 2014
This is a beautiful tale of two sisters standing up for what they believe in, even though it means going against everything their world consists of. Sue Monk Kidd does a wonderful job of chronicling the lives of the famous Grimke sisters- the first female abolitionists and women's rights pioneers in America in the 19th century, juxtaposing their story with that of their female slave Hetty Handful who experiences the trials and tribulations of slavery firsthand. This book has touched me deeply for its sensitive portrayal, and the easy narrative ensured that it was un-putdownable. Highly recommended.
154 reviews
August 25, 2014
Sue Monk Kidd does an excellent job writing this book about Sarah Grimke. The story is about the Grimke family in Charleston South Carolina in the 1800s and they own several slaves. Two sisters within the family Sarah and Nina Grimke are repulsed by owning slaves and eventually become very vocal about speaking out about the evils of slavery. The characters have great depth and many of their feelings are so well explained and relatable. The conviction that Sara and Nina have about the anti-slavery movement and their roll to speak out and try to change things are very inspirational. They are so courageous.
Profile Image for Dina u Paninu.
37 reviews
May 7, 2015
Again I bought a book with an Oprah Book Club sticker on, and again I was left disappointed.
I'm not saying I didn't like the book, but I expected something better.
The story of a white girl who's against slavery, and.... her slave. They form a friendship bond but still, the slave is treated like a slave and hit when disobeyed.
Fast forward a few years, and what does the white girl do? She leaves to a slave free country, leaving HER personal slave behind, in the hands of her cruel mother who enjoys waving her walking stick around.
Not to forget she's battling to free all slaves together with her sister, who she too, left to a slave free country and left her personal slave behind.
Profile Image for Lani.
58 reviews10 followers
February 22, 2014
What I liked about this book the most was that it introduced me to the Grimke sisters, real life historical women who made amazing steps in the right direction to abolish slavery and for women's rights. Extremely forward thinking for the times and especially so considering their family's position in society. Women like this are so inspiring and I enjoyed reading the authors fictional story woven in and around historical facts.
Profile Image for Nishana Sujith.
13 reviews
June 30, 2015
The book was an absolute page turner. Once you read the first page, you're hooked and there is no turning back. Narrated from the point of two strong but extremely different women of the age, the book takes you through the gruesome days of slavery and women oppression without the drama. It touches the heart and the language and pictures she paints are just brilliant. Any book lover should give this a go. I'll recommend it to anyone.
4 reviews
February 6, 2017
This was an interesting book from many perspectives: the development of a young girl living on a plantation who was "given" a slave girl on her 11th birthday. Her coming to age and her discoveries about slavery through her personal relationship with this slave girl, just a year younger.
It is also the true story of these privileged daughters of slave owners and how they became involved in the abolitionist movement and with the Philadelphia Quakers. A fine a captivating read.
Profile Image for Linda.
43 reviews2 followers
February 20, 2014
All I can say is Wow! It was hard to put this down till the last page and than I wanted more. Yes we learned about slavery in school but what we didn't learn was the emotions and the real feelings of everyone concerned.

I liked the way Sue Monk Kidd took her research and blended facts with fiction that left me thirsting for more
236 reviews12 followers
August 13, 2014
Really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters. The violence is hard to take so it was good to read off and on. Good female empowerment book. Also did not know that Grimke were real sisters so I am going to have to research them. That is very impressive what they did in their day for women. Good read.
267 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2014
I really loved this book. Ever since seeing the movie 12 years a slave, I have been particularly interested in the theme of African Americans surviving and thriving In spite of their dire straits. I read it in one evening because I couldn't wait to know the end of the story. And I loved the fact that. The book was based on a true story.
1 review
April 3, 2014
Facts and fiction beautifully blended. Excellent book.
Grimke sisters admirable fight for the abolition of slavery and woman's right.
150 years passed since then, yet still millions of women around the globe deprived from their rights.
Profile Image for Karen Murphy.
191 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2014
I also loved this book, which we will discuss at the book club meeting next week. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm interested in American slavery issues. In fact, I'm reading "12 Years a Slave," though I haven't seen that movie either. Wow!
89 reviews
September 28, 2017
I took way too long to read this book. I really enjoyed it and towards the end it felt like a true story. I was pleased to read the author's note that Sarah Grimke was a true person although Handful was not. Very interesting to parallel slavery/suffrage.
7 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2015
Very inspiring story of two sisters that formed not only a feminist movement in the mid nineteenth century for gender equality but also fought bravely against slavery . The book was a bit slow at the beginning but picks up a good pace once you reach part 2
5 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2014
Right up there with THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES. Great use of language and wonderful research to make it such a rich read. I almost quit my day job...saved by the weekend!
17 reviews
February 17, 2014
Wonderful novel based on historical events. Once again this author delivers a memorable story!
10 reviews
February 21, 2014
Didn't expect to like it much as I did but highly recommend!
Profile Image for Joanna Czechowska.
Author 3 books23 followers
February 22, 2014
I love Charleston having visited three times so was very interested to read this book. It is so well-written and engaging. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews

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