The Invention of Wings - Sue Monk Kidd - 4.5 Stars

[Olivermagnus]

The Invention of Wings is engaging historical fiction based on the real life story of Sarah Grimke, the daughter of a Southern judge and plantation owner. She attends her eleventh birthday party and is appalled when she is presented with her own slave, ten year old Handful aka Hetty. Sarah refuses the gift and doesn't believe that one person can own another. She tries to free Handful but her parents refuse to allow it. Sarah and Handful become friends, even though Sarah lives in luxury and Handful in misery.

Alternating chapters between Sarah and Handful over the next thirty five years reveal the secrets of their everyday lives in the pre-Civil War South. Both Sarah and Handful want freedom. Sarah wants to become a lawyer which is unheard of for women of her era. Handful wants to buy her freedom and not be owned by anyone. Handful's mother, Charlotte, teaches her about her African culture and and how to become a seamstress. Sarah, in order to find something useful when her own academic plans are denied, teaches Handful how to read, which turns out to be disastrous for both of them. Each woman repeatedly challenges the restrictions placed upon them and each setback serves to motivate them further.

Sarah is based on a real life figure, as is her sister Angelina. They were early advocates for abolition of slavery and eventually for equal rights for women. In their day, the Grimkes were outspoken abolitionists who believed not only in doing away with slavery, but in the equality of women. They have even been credited with starting the suffragist movement. Handful is fictional but that doesn't make her story less real.

The author does a wonderful job of portraying the harsh realities of that time, especially the terrible treatment of slaves. The book flows from Sarah to Hetty alternately narrating through the years. This is wonderful story of struggle and pain, family and friendship. You will admire Handful and empathize with Sarah and her journey to change society's rules. Make sure you read the author's note at the end to learn what is fact and what is fiction.

This was such a compelling read. It will be a long time before I forget Handful and Sarah.