The Invention of Wings

In her latest novel, Sue Monk Kidd weaves a powerful tale centered on Hetty “Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth-century Charleston, and Sarah Grimke, her wealthy owner's daughter, who seeks to transcend the societal constraints imposed on women. Set in motion on Sarah's eleventh birthday when she is given ownership of Handful, the story unfolds over thirty-five years, tracing their intertwined paths of defiance and personal growth against the backdrop of a tumultuous historical landscape. As both women confront profound challenges and seek their own destinies, Kidd explores themes of empowerment, liberation, and the complexities of their relationship in a gripping narrative that resonates deeply.