Sue Monk Kidd's The Invention of Wings draws acclaim for its compelling portrayal of two women fighting against slavery and societal constraints, offering rich historical detail and poignant character development. However, some readers feel its pacing lags at times. Overall, it effectively illuminates critical issues through engrossing storytelling and nuanced perspectives.

A reader who would enjoy The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd is typically drawn to historical fiction with strong female protagonists, social justice themes, and intricate character development. Fans of The Help by Kathryn Stockett or Beloved by Toni Morrison will likely find this book equally compelling.

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd is a historical novel set in the 1800s that traces the intersecting lives of abolitionist sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimké, and Sarah’s enslaved maid, Hetty Handful Grimké. Spanning 35 years, it begins with Sarah receiving Handful as a birthday present and ends with Sarah helping Handful and her sister Sky escape enslavement, fulfilling a promise made to Handful’s mother.

Emotional / Inspirational / Challenging / Contemplative / Bittersweet

- The Invention of Wings is inspired by the real-life story of the Grimké sisters, Sarah and Angelina, who were among the first female abolitionists and early advocates for women's rights in America.
- Sue Monk Kidd, in writing The Invention of Wings, was heavily influenced by her own Southern upbringing, which prompted her to delve deeply into the history of slavery and its impact on the American South.
- The novel was chosen for Oprah's Book Club 2.0 in 2014, significantly boosting its popularity and bringing more attention to its historical themes.

**Hetty Handful Grimké**  
Known as Handful, she is a slave in the Grimké household who develops a close bond with Sarah Grimké, characterized by shared learning and aspirations, as she navigates the harsh realities of slavery in early-19th century Charleston.

**Sarah Moore Grimké**  
The second eldest Grimké daughter, known for her strong abolitionist stance and advocacy for women's rights, who defies societal norms and forms a profound friendship with the family’s slave, Handful.

**Charlotte Summer Grimké (Mauma)**  
Handful's mother and a skilled seamstress enslaved by the Grimké family, who influences her daughter through storytelling and life lessons that emphasize independence and family history.

**Angelina Grimké (Nina)**  
Sarah's youngest sister, known for her beauty and bold spirit, who follows Sarah to the North and joins her in abolitionist and women's rights endeavors.

**Mary Grimké (Missus)**  
The authoritative and strict matriarch of the Grimké household, enforcing the laws of the slaveholding society on her family and slaves, though occasionally revealing a more empathetic side.

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