Oprah talks with sue monk kidd about the invention of wings. Discussion questions the title the invention of wings was one of the first inspirations that came to sue monk kidd as she began the novel. The invention of wings study guide from litcharts the. The invention of wings book club questions and recipe if you are new here, welcome. In the invention of wings, the spirit tree is a symbol of safety and comfort for handful and charlotte.
Denise hamilton is a cofounder and current president of collin county diversity council ccdc. See penguins book club kit for additional material, including selected words of wisdom from the novel, recipes, and more. Sue monk kidds latest novel, the invention of wings, is a work of historical fiction so facile in its writing that you might underestimate the intensity of the plot line as you become engrossed in the tale of two young girls on opposite sides of slavery in early 19thcentury charleston. The invention of wings by sue monk kidd was a really interesting and well researched novel about the lives of the grimke sisters. The author of the latest oprahs book club selection sounds off on her process for writing the invention of wings.
Feel free to share your thoughts about the book in the comments section or ask more questions. Reading guide for the invention of wings by sue monk kidd. We follow their remarkable journeys over the next 35 years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each others destinies, and forming a complex relationship. It wasnt just the wings though, it was the quilts, reading, stealing things from the masters. Oprah loved the powerful new novel by the author of the secret life of bees so much that she selected it for oprahs book club 2. The original idea of the wings came from black folklore where people in africa were thought to fly and then lost their wings when captured as slaves. One of my favorite books is the secret life of bees by sue monk kidd. Discussion questions for the invention of wings the dc. Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet book club questions. The story is a fictionalized account of the life of abolitionist sarah grimke, her sister nina, and their family slave named handful. Even from the young age of eleven, sarah grimke realizes the evils of slavery.
Sue monk kidd takes readers questions on the invention of. Ever since i discovered audible, im always wellread and ready to talk about our book. Ive read all of sue monk kidds books and this is one of my favorites. The invention of wings is voiced by two verbally powerful narrators. The invention of wings by sue monk kidd, paperback. We dont often all like one and were usually an even split. The invention of wings, a powerful and sweeping historical novel by sue monk kidd. The original book club took a hiatus for a period of time when the oprah winfrey show went off the air, then it was revived as oprahs book club 2. Sarahs fleurdelis button, charlottes story quilt, the rabbithead cane that handful receives from goodis, and the spirit tree. Word of mouth is one of the most important market factors determining the popularity of a book. You get some very nerdy academic shenanigans going on like book discussion questions. Reading group guide introduction to the invention of wings about sue monk kidd a conversation with sue monk kidd discussion questions introduction to the invention of wings the invention of wings, a powerful and sweeping historical novel by sue monk kidd.
Sue monk kidds latest novel, the invention of wings, offers just that with detailed depictions of the south and north during the early 19th century. In the meantime, here are the discussion questions for the invention of wings. The invention of wings book club discussion questions. The original idea of the wings came from black folklore where people in africa were thought to fly and then lost their wingsmore per the authors notes. Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, sue monk kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a. For our may meeting, fixed on fiction met to discuss the invention of wings by sue monk kidd. If your book club decides to read it, here are the questions youll want to. Reading group guide on sue monk kidds website hobart and william smith colleges discussion guide discussion questions from blogger, wide lawns. Hetty handful, who has grown up as a slave in early nineteenth century charleston. I promise ive been reading like crazy but im so behind with blog posts in general that im scrapping july as a book club month.
Jan 07, 2014 the invention of wings by sue monk kidd. This time, we read or, most of us read, the invention of wings, by sue monk kidd. Jan 06, 2014 in the invention of wings, the latest oprah book club pick, kidd fictionalizes an inherently dramatic true story from our shared history of slavery to illuminate the lives of four women. It wasnt just the wings though, it was the quilts, reading.
Sue monk kidds rules for writing a novel the author of the latest oprahs book club 2. The invention of wings book club discussion questions scraping. It is impossible to read this book and not come away thinking differently about our status as women and about all the unsung heroines who played a role in getting us to where we are. We were a small group and all in agreement whoohooo. The invention of wings by sue monk kidd book club discussion. The invention of wings by sue monk kidd sue monk kidds latest novel, the invention of wings, is a work of historical fiction so facile in its writing that you might underestimate the intensity of the plot line as you become engrossed in the tale of two young girls. Sue monk kidd begins her work of historical fiction with a gullah folk tale the people could fly. When she is gifted tenyearold handful as a handmaid, she immediately requests her freedom. From the celebrated author of the secret life of bees. When butterflys change their normal habits the world changes for a family some scientists and a town. I thought id mention it here because one of the main characters is a quilter who stitched her life story into a quilt, and its mentioned often and described in great detail. Dec 10, 20 just in time for the holidays, oprah winfrey has selected a new book for her book club 2. Its very personal to them, and no one else knows about it.
The invention of wings thanks to everyone who read the invention of wings this month which i introduced here. The invention of wings summary and study guide supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. The invention of wings summary and study guide supersummary. What happens when you cross a former teacher with a blog. Handful knows the legend isnt true, but loves the idea anyway. The invention of wings is a work of historical fiction that details daily life in a specific time and place as it explores sexism and racism in the american south, much like works such as the help by kathryn stockett also another white author writing, somewhat controversially, in the voice of a black character. The invention of wings is sue monk kidds third novel. What are some of the ways that the author uses the imagery and symbolism of birds, wings, and flight. Her first, the secret life of bees, was a book club favorite that gave groups a chance to discuss race issues in the south in the 1960s. Sue monk kidd used many objects as symbols for various deeper ideas. Based on actual people and historic events but fictionalized, this is the story of abolitionist sarah grimke, her sister angelina and the slave girl handful who was given to. Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, sue monk kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and. Based on actual people and historic events but fictionalized, this is the story of abolitionist sarah grimke, her sister angelina and the slave girl handful who was given to sarah as a birthday gift when she was eleven.
As a four yearold, she witnesses the brutality of slave. Sarah grimke, who is inspired by the reallife abolitionist and feminist of the same name, and hetty handful, who is the child of your imagination. Feb 16, 2016 come and join the woodridge library and friend book club discussion of the inventions of wings by sue monk kidd on march 20, 2016 at 3. An extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from the celebrated number one new york times bestselling author of the secret life of bees and the invention of wings in her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, sue monk kidd takes an.
How does creating a character from the ground up differ from adapting a real person into a fictional persona. If your book club enjoys cocktails with their book discussion, try this delicious blackbird while. The invention of wings discussion questions blogger. The story follows hetty handful grimke, a charleston slave, and sarah, the daughter of the wealthy grimke family.
Invention of wings, the sue monk kidd bookclubinabox. On her 11th birthday, sarah grimke is given ownership of handful. The invention of wings discussion questions wide lawns and. The invention of wings is a historical novel by sue monk kidd. The invention of wings by sue monk kidd questions thoughtco. Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, sue monk kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to. Ill throw out a few topics for discussion, and you can write your responses about these topics or others youd like to discuss in the comment section. The invention of wings reading groups sue monk kidd. This oprah book club selection, follows hetty handful grimke, a charleston slave, and sarah, the daughter of the wealthy grimke family.
Book discussion the invention of wings by sue monk. The novel opens from handfuls perspective, as she retells an african legend of people who could fly but lost their wings once they were taken to america. Oprahs book club has been credited with reviving a culture of literary discussion, and it represents one of the most lasting legacies from the original oprah winfrey show. The invention of wings by sue monk kidd discussion. Discussion questionsthe invention of wings i cant believe how late i am with the june book club discussion post. The story is set at a time when slavery was the way of the south in america and women still had very narrow rights. These book club discussion questions reveal important details about hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet by jamie ford. What were the qualities in handful that you most admired. In the invention of wings, kidd returns to issues of race and a southern setting, this time tackling slavery in the early nineteenth century. Heres what makes the invention of wings extraordinaryand why i am thrilled to announce it as my third selection for.
The invention of wings we dont bake muffins book club. My book club is reading it for our march discussion. For the invention of wings, i provide your book club with a brief summary, a recipe, and discussion questions in that order. The novel begins on sarahs eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership over handful, who is to be her handmaid. Nov 09, 2018 the invention of wings has been a favorite for years, and its always at the top of my recommendation list. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers. Discussion questions introduction to the invention of wings the invention of wings, a powerful and sweeping historical novel by sue monk kidd, begins, fittingly, with an image of flight. The invention of wings book club questions and recipe heres a brief summary of the invention of wings. What are some of the ways that the author uses the imagery and symbolism. The image that you need wings to fly but were not born with them so you create them yourself hence the invention of wings. The invention of wings sue monk kidd, 2014 viking press 384 pp. The story of the invention of wings includes a number of physical objects that have a special significance for the characters.
What happened at book club its hard to believe tonight was our last meeting of 2016. This 34page guide for the invention of wings by sue monk kidd includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 6 parts, as well as several more in. Choose one or more of these objects and discuss their significance in the novel. May 05, 2015 hetty handful grimke, an urban slave, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy grimke household. This bookclubinabox pdf discussion guide 51 pages for sue monk kidds novel the invention of wings includes. Novel synopsis author information character analysis and historical background focus points and themes writing style and structure symbols important quotes from the novel book club discussion questions. If this book was made into a movie would you go see it. Check out tips, advice, and all the ways the library can help support your group. The invention of wings book club discussion questions 5. The title the invention of wings was one of the first inspirations that came to sue monk kidd as she began the novel. Use these book club discussion questions on by jamie ford to lead your book club into fords novel. Firstly i have to applaud the author for including a detailed authors note at the end of this beautiful novel and updating the readers on what is in fact fiction and what events really happened in the lives of the.
The invention of wings book club questions and recipe. The invention of wings got a big boost from oprahs book club. The title the invention of wings was one of the first. Jul 21, 2015 ill post the august book in a couple of weeks. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the invention of wings. Its been a long time since my book club almost universally agreed on a book. Watch the video to find out why oprah thinks the invention of wings, by sue monk kidd, will wow you too. If you missed reading this or are looking for an excellent book club selection, i highly recommend this story. Pictured below are my dearest reading buddies from book club day.
Hetty handful grimke, an urban slave in early 19thcentury charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy grimke household. Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, sue monk kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the worldand it is now the newest oprahs book club 2. Sue shares the motivations behind her characters actions, the challenges of. I downloaded the audiobook version, because i wasnt sure if i was going to like it. The spirit tree connects them, even when charlotte disappears toward the middle of the novel. As a member of multicultural roundtable outreach mcor in plano, texas, shes the cofounder and chair of friendship circle outreach group which touches on relevant cultural topics, encouraging each participant to challenge and move out of their confront zones. This was a list of questions i used for our first book club discussion of the invention of wings, by sue monk kidd. I finished sue monk kidds new novel, the invention of wings a couple days ago and i really loved it. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. How does creating a character from the ground up differ from adapting a real person into a fictional persona, and which do you. See penguins book club kit for additional material, including selected words of wisdom. Just in time for the holidays, oprah winfrey has selected a new book for her book club 2.
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