Worth the Read discussion

The Invention of Wings is a fictionalized account of a true story—Sarah Grimke, daughter of slave owners in Charleston, ultimately leaves her family and leaves her city with conviction and passion to help lead the abolitionist movement. Here are a few questions concerning the book—let us know what you think!

1. What were the qualities in Handful that you most admired? How did Handful continue her relentless pursuit of self and freedom in the face of such a brutal system.

2. In what ways does Sarah struggle against the dictates of her family, society and religion? Can you relate to her need to break away from the life she had in order to create a new and unknown life? What sort of risk and courage does this call for?

3. Were you aware of the role that Sarah and Angelina Grimke played in abolition and women's rights? Have women's achievements in history been lost or overlooked?

4. Are there ways in which Kidd's novel can help us see our own lives differently? How is this story relevant for us today?