The invention of wings

It was good but not great . I did not enjoy the narration. I will try more of the authors work.

5 people found this helpful

Wonderful listen

I enjoyed every moment listening to this book it was made even better knowing that the characters although partly fictional were based on real people.
If you enjoyed The Help or the colour purple you will enjoy this. The performance of the narrators was excellent and gave life to the story and all the different characters.

4 people found this helpful

I could have listened to this all day

I haven't read a lot of slavery, so perhaps am not the most informed reader - I do more movies - but this really gripped me. And it's very interesting that it's also based on true life. The feminism aspect of it - of women wanted to break away from social convention - was plus too.

4 people found this helpful

The Invention of Wings

Would you listen to The Invention of Wings again? Why?

Yes - the story is based on true events during the lead up to the US Civil War. It is told from 2 points of view, a slave girl and the child she is 'given' to who is age 11. This young girl Sarah is bright, thoughtful and sensitive. Her abilities are stifled by the over-riding desire of her parents for her to fit into society.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Invention of Wings?

This is difficult to answer without giving away the story. The story swings from the pampered world of the plantation owners who lack all humanity towards their slaves and the slave quarters themselves. The exception is the young daughter, Sarah, who understands, intrinsically, that slavery is wrong. She has to live within the South's society all the while hating what it stands for. Eventually she leaves for the North leaving young Handful behind. Meanwhile we watch Handful grow up, see her hopeless situation and witness her mother's brutal punishment for running away. Of course with Sarah in the North Handful begins to think there may be a chance for her to reach freedom too.

What about Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye ’s performance did you like?

The performances are well done and sound distinct from each other. The characters of Sarah and Handful are very different so having varying voices helped. The character of Sarah has a speech problem and this was handled well, Meanwhile Handful's strength and endurance comes through her 'voice' too.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes if I had enough time all at once!

Any additional comments?

Sue Monk Kydd is a consistent author and with this book she is definitely hitting high standards. I had no idea that Sarah and her sister , Nina, were real people.

6 people found this helpful

Mindblowing

If you could sum up The Invention of Wings in three words, what would they be?

couldn't be bettered

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Invention of Wings?

when Handful was "given" as a birthday present.....

What about Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye ’s performance did you like?

Their emotions, their interpretations, their warmth in the words, that me as the listener actually felt, breathed, imbibed the South, thru their words and accents

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

my emotional reaction was one of wonder - the story a rollercoaster, stayed in my head even when not listening

Any additional comments?

I have to say that this is without doubt my "read" of the year

6 people found this helpful

A wonderful listen

If you could sum up The Invention of Wings in three words, what would they be?

gripping moving story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Handful, I cried with her.

What about Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye ’s performance did you like?

The voices are perfect, the way they speak matches the characters so well.

Any additional comments?

A truly wonderful book, the second I have listened to by this author. I had to find excuses to get time on my own to enjoy as much as possible. I found myself not getting out of the car once arriving at my destination so I could listen to just a little more!

5 people found this helpful

Brilliant

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Full of wonderful history form a much different perspective. So well done, and read perfectly, I really enjoyed this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Invention of Wings?

The treadmill

Which character – as performed by Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye – was your favourite?

Both fantastic readers, authentic accents and so well read

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The one-legged punishment

Any additional comments?

Unique, an unusual account of both white and black POV of slavery. Not just another slave story

5 people found this helpful

Slavery up close and personal

I got this as in Top Ten New York bestsellers. I felt the narration was good and added to the story. I had never heard of Sarah or Nina and their role in the push for abolition of slavery.It was interesting the way that the story is told in turn by Handful and Sarah. I did feel that it dragged a bit and Sarah especially with her supposed high intellect was very annoying at times with the things and situations she accepted. I did enjoy the book and would recommend it but would not be in my top 10 reads.

4 people found this helpful

Starts and ends well, slow middle

I nearly gave up about two thirds through as the story seem to get very slow. I did persevere though and was glad because it ended well.
I really liked the character of Handful but I just couldn't identify much with Sarah so the book didn't hold my attention. Secret life of bees is far better.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful

I loved this book. It was exciting and enticingly written and brought an era closer to me that I didn't have much in-depth knowledge about. I particularly like the fact that it is very close to historical events so you're learning as you read (or listen to, in my case) the story. I would thoroughly recommend it.

1 person found this helpful