Lit-Wits Book Club: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Barb chose the book and hosted the discussion.

Barb was listening to NPR one day as they were interviewing two small bookstore owners on their favorite books of 2016, based on NPR's list. Coulson Whitehead's book, The Underground Railroad, was discussed. She has been fascinated with the underground railroad for as long as she can remember. She researched the book and thought it would be her pick until she read some reviews and found comments like too graphic, too hard, etc. One of the cross-references was to The Invention of Wings. She researched that book and thought it would be the better choice. She likes Sue Monk Kidd's writing and her first ever book club selection was The Mermaid Chair.

Even though we had our smallest discussion group ever, we had a great discussion of a book that everyone seemed to like. Due to her writing style and the amount of research necessary, it took the author four years to write this book. Some members did not realize this book was historically based until reading the author’s notes at the end. Carol McQ shared pictures of the Grimke house in Charleston, SC. Barb shared that her ancestors, on her Mom’s side, came to America in the 1700’s. They landed in Charleston, and predominately they all are in the Columbia/Charleston area to this day. Her Grandfather was one of the first family members to leave the south, and that was in the early 1920’s. He eventually retired in South Carolina, and she spent two weeks there almost every summer. That is why she is fascinated by southern history and why she ultimately chose this book. This is the first book she ever read that was based on a time period prior to the Civil War. She thought about the book for days after she finished when she realized the Grimke sisters in the book were based on actual feminist sisters.

This book was very well-liked by members of our group. Below are some of our discussion points:

Sarah receiving a slave for her 11th birthday - power and powerlessness; teaching Handful to read
How does something like slavery happen and persist? Why is there still so much about it that is not discussed?
Charlotte's story quilt (inspired by quilts of Harriet Powers, see one at http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_556462)
Role of religion in story
The men: Denmark Vesey, Burke Williams, Israel, Mr. Grimke
Relationship between Sarah and Angelina (Nina)
Meaning of the title
Ending of story