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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
A good story. An important story. But it took me a long time to get through. I listened to the audiobook on my commute and, not that it was boring, it just wasn't so engaging in the beginning that I'd rather listen to the story than music. But by the last 1/3rd of the book I couldn't wait to hear what other challenges were to be faced and overcome by these brave women. Now that I'm done, I look back and smile at the thought of Sarah and "Handful" inventing their wings in their own way and growing into women. Free women.
PS: Jenna Lamia, the narrator on the audiobook who voiced Sarah is the same one who did [b:Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald|15994634|Z A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald|Therese Anne Fowler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396815892s/15994634.jpg|21763986] and [b:The Help|4667024|The Help|Kathryn Stockett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346100365s/4667024.jpg|4717423]. Sometimes I'd picture a sassy flapper instead of a Quaker abolitionist and it'd throw me off!
PS: Jenna Lamia, the narrator on the audiobook who voiced Sarah is the same one who did [b:Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald|15994634|Z A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald|Therese Anne Fowler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396815892s/15994634.jpg|21763986] and [b:The Help|4667024|The Help|Kathryn Stockett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346100365s/4667024.jpg|4717423]. Sometimes I'd picture a sassy flapper instead of a Quaker abolitionist and it'd throw me off!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have a difficult time reading material where humans are mistreated - that includes books about war, abuse about children and I can now include slavery. I have read The Help and now The Invention of Wings and can say I am grateful for not having lived during this period of US history. All through the book I kept wanting Mauma and Handful to escape through the underground railroad but of course it had not been discovered during the time of this book.
This book made for an interesting discussion on book club night and I am glad we read it. I suspect though, given the content, I probably would not have picked this up on my own. One of our members noted that the author appeared to keep most of the content in the time period that she intended except for one word - Malarky. She looked it up and said this word's origin didn't come about till the early 1920s. It made her wonder if the author used it on purpose or if it was something that was missed when being edited? The descriptions in the book made me see things/activities very clearly. Sometimes too clearly i.e., Work House, strapping of Mauma, the quilts and all its colors and detailed stories.
I would recommend this book to a book club since it could spark some interesting discussions.
This book made for an interesting discussion on book club night and I am glad we read it. I suspect though, given the content, I probably would not have picked this up on my own. One of our members noted that the author appeared to keep most of the content in the time period that she intended except for one word - Malarky. She looked it up and said this word's origin didn't come about till the early 1920s. It made her wonder if the author used it on purpose or if it was something that was missed when being edited? The descriptions in the book made me see things/activities very clearly. Sometimes too clearly i.e., Work House, strapping of Mauma, the quilts and all its colors and detailed stories.
I would recommend this book to a book club since it could spark some interesting discussions.
I got a lot more interested in this book after I read the historical notes at the back. I would recommend that you read those first. The factual bits are compelling and the invented bits are believable.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow what a little gem of a book! I only ever give 5 stars to my ‘desert island’ books which I know will stay in my heart & I’d be happy to read again. This definitely fulfils that criteria. Until about 10% in I was finding it a little hard going & didn’t think it would be as good as the same author’s ‘Mermaid’s Tale’ & ‘ Secret Life of Bees’ but the characters and the writing soon got under my skin and the unfurling story was mesmerising. I’d seen on Good Reads that the story is based on fact and I now feel inspired to read more about the world changing Grimke Sisters and also the magical stories depicted by slave quilts. In my ignorance I had no idea that slaves were forbidden by law to be literate & the extent of the cruelty inflicted not only on their bodies but on their minds. If you read it do read on and read the author’s notes which are the most fascinating I’ve ever read.
8/20/14 -- just starting and the story is interesting, but the way the characters speak doesn't seem true to the time in which it is supposed to take place. I just wanted to say that. Now I'll set that aside and try to enjoy the story.
This book was just So. Good. Such a beautiful and high quality read. The story was sad and joyful. It was a page turner but it wasn’t a book to blow through.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes