I read the Invention of Wings late last year (click through to read my full review). Sue Monk Kidd has a way with words, for sure, and this one was no different. I love it when a book pushes me to dig a little deeper into a social issue or historical time period or figure. Now that The Invention of Wings is out in paperback, it’s open up to a whole new group. I think it would be a great choice to read with a bookclub or just on your own, especially if you take the time to go a little deeper.
The novel is based on real-life sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimke. If, like me, your curiosity was piqued about these women who were not only pioneers in the area of women’s rights but slavery as well, you might want to check out their essays and speeches in On Slavery and Abolitionism from Penguin Classics. I could feel the passion and dedication as I read through some of them. It kind of amazed me.
I am passing this book on to my teenage daughter — both of these books — who did her AP art concentration on exceptional women who were pioneers, and I think she’ll enjoy them.
Teasdale, 1st woman to win Pulitzer
Check out The Invention of Wings Discussion Guide which gives the reader more background from the author about her inspiration and these characters, as well as a couple of recipes and a recommended reading list.
This book is high on my list! I hope to get to it soon. Even more so now. Thanks for sharing this info for more reading.