The Invention of Wings

A skillfully written book by Susan Monk Kidd titled The Invention of Wings.  The book is loosely based on the real life of two sisters, Sarah and Nina Grimke.  The story is set in the early 1800s and captures thirty years of moments for the two sisters and their life growing up in the heartland of slavery, Charleston, South Carolina.   Sarah, a brilliant young woman, is scolded by her parents (and the local church leaders, for her actions in teaching her assigned slave Hetty, known as “Handful,” to read and write.  The author uses the technique of interchanging the stories from the point of view of the two women, the slave owner, and the enslaved.  Over a thirty year period, Sarah transforms from a woman who is born before her time (not able to follow her dreams of being a lawyer because she is a woman) into a Quaker, Civil Rights activist, and Women Suffragist activist.  Yes she is way before her time!  Sarah is caught between two worlds, the one her family forces her to live in and the one she knows is right, fighting against the evils of enslaving black people.  The author notes in her endnotes that Handful’s story is somewhat fictitious, but for the benefit of this story, she does a beautiful job of noting what likely happened.  Handful and her mother, Charlotte (who eventually escapes), live in a time where despicable actions and roles are thrust upon an innocent people caught in the greed and degradation of white people, using their privilege to force them into slavery.  The two character’s connections stay strong, though Sarah leaves Charleston, falls in love with a widowed man, changes her religious faith, and faces the challenge of being a woman in a world that expects her to look good and serve her family.  This is a beautiful story that tears at your heart knowing that life is never fair.  We have the chance to be reminded of the evils of our ancestors and how innocent people were captive to the “ruling class”.  The story also offers hope.  It illustrates how one determined woman can go and start the change that we desperately needed at a time when few took action.  The historical pieces regarding Grimke’s life are true and give a glimpse into the various challenges she faced.  A definite addition to the book club list!