Book Review: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

At age 11, Sarah Grimke is gifted a slave girl, named Hetty. At the time, this was a tradition. Sarah is angry about this tradition and doesn’t agree with slavery. But, as a child she is helpless to change this course. She dreams of leaving Charleston when a younger sister dream. She and this sister become abolitionist and then eventually suffragettes.

Hetty also dreams of being free, of growing wings, like the story her mother tells her. Hetty’s mother is clever and strong. She’s a seamstress who realizes she can make extra money by outsourcing her skills. She saves this money for the day she decides to leave but instead is kidnapped.

Will Hetty ever see her mother again? Is she dead or alive? And will Sarah find her independence and happiness? For historical fiction fans, Monk Kidd, tells the story of Sarah Grimke, Hetty, and their flight to independence.

To remain silent in the face of evil is itself a form of evil.”

-Sue Monk Kidd, The Invention of Wings

Book Review: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

After reading reviews and social media posts, I immediately grabbed this book. Epic in its scale and timeline, it follows characters who are descendants of two women, sisters from the Gold Coast. One is married to a white man and slave trader. The other sister becomes part of the slave trade.

At times it was difficult to follow the stories. The narrative is separated by stories of descendants from different time periods. though that does not lessen the power of these characters’ stories. Gyasi questions West Africa’s participation in the slave trade. In doing so, she takes the reader on a powerful and emotionally wrought ride.

“This is the problem of history. We cannot know that which we were not there to see and hear and experience for ourselves. We must rely upon the words of others.”

Yaa Gyasi, Homecoming

Book Review: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

A historical fiction novel about twin sisters dealing with contemporary problems. They grow up in a town of light skinned Black people until one twin decides to live as a white person.

Desiree and Stella live in Mallard, Louisiana, a fictional town about two hours from New Orleans. They disappear from that small town, move to New Orleans, but soon Stella leaves to live as a white woman. Desiree marries a Black man and raises her daughter alone after leaving her abusive husband.

The novel switches time periods, but is an easy transition. We follow the story of Desiree’s daughter Jude and Stella’s daughter Kennedy. Jude and Kennedy coincidentally meet in LA; Jude is a student at UCLA while Kennedy is acting in a local musical.

The novel shifts between characters and generations which parallels the story of shifting from one color to the another, one sex to another. A good read for book clubs because there’s lots of room for discussion.

“You can escape a town, but you cannot escape blood. Somehow, the Vignes twins believed themselves capable of both.”

― Brit Bennett, The Vanishing Half

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

In modern day London, a young woman visits the city for her anniversary. Three hundred years before, a simple apothecary leaves behind a reminder of her work. Penner’s novel switches between Nella, Eliza, and Caroline. Nella and Eliza live in 1790s, meanwhile Caroline lives in the present day.

Nella became an apothecary, learning from her mother, who treated women for a variety of ailments. After her mother’s death, Nella poisons her lover. This character transformation, from helper to killer, must be read to truly understand it.

In another time period, we meet Caroline. Her husband has an affair which leads her to rethink her life. A simple vial, found while mudlarking, will lead her on an intensive search, an adventure that will change her life.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction and gothic novels, this one will be a great pick.

“This glass object-delicate and yet still intact, somewhat like myself – was proof that I could be brave, adventurous, and do hard things on my own.”

Sarah Penner, The Lost Apothecary

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

After reading reviews and social media posts lauding this book, I grabbed it. Epic in scale and timeline, it follows characters who are descendants of two women, sisters from the Gold Coast. One is married off to a white man and slave trader. The other sister becomes part of the slave trade.

At times, it was difficult to follow the stories. The narrative is separated by stories of descendants and different time periods. Though, that does not lessen the power of these characters’ stories. Gyasi questions West Africa’s participation in the slave trade. In doing so, she takes the reader on a powerful and emotionally wrought ride.

“You want to know what weakness is? Weakness is treating someone as though they belong to you. Strength is knowing that everyone belongs to themselves.”

― Yaa Gyasi, Homegoing

The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey

Young Alice’s mother sends her daughter clues to solve a puzzle. These clues send Alice on a scavenger hunt, something to occupy her while her mother is away. Alice doesn’t realize the story her mother weaves in the clues.

Set in London and alternating between 1926 and 1936, The Glittering Hour introduces us to Selena Lennox who intends to live life the fullest. Having lost her brother in World War I, she is all to familiar with the brevity of life.

Delightful characters, if somewhat shallow in depiction, fill the pages of this story which is similar in design to the television show Downton Abbey. Read if your are in the mood for a romantic love story.

“But we must remind ourselves that we are never truly apart from those we love very much. We might not be able to see them or speak to them or hold them in our arms, but we carry them always in our hearts.”

-Iona Grey, The Glittering Hour

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Marisol and Elisa’s stories are separated by different times. Switching from the Batista years to the end of Fidel’s reign, Cleeton’s story is one of love, survival, and sacrifice. With the Cuban revolution as it’s background, Elisa’s family must decide either to leave or stay. The country is in turmoil. Years later, Marisol finds the country is still dangerous and full of secrets.

Elisa lived in a time when she was protected from the violence and political turmoil in her country. Her family fled, never to return. Marisol, a reporter, must return her grandmother’s ashes to Cuba. In doing so, she learns of her grandmother’s love for a revolutionary man. Ultimately, she builds her own love story when she meets the grandson of her grandmother’s best friend.

“That’s the thing about death—even when you think someone is gone, glimpses of them remain in those they loved and left behind.” -Chanel Cleeton, Last Year in Havana

A Gentleman in Moscow

A delightful cat and mouse game of personalities. The count, a gentleman, living in less gentle times, makes friends with his new comrades. He is basically inprisoned in house arrest for the remainder of his life, living the life of a pauper with aristocratic manners and taste. Beginning in 1922, the Bolsheviks are in power. And the Count lives in the Metropol Hotel. Eventually becoming a waiter in the hotel restaurant which actually suits his personality and knowledge of fine dining.

If a man does not master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them. – Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow

Towles descriptions of his surroundings, the deft observations of those people in his view are the pure delights of this reader. Give the book a chance, if you find it slow. It will reward you. Towles is prepping us for a delightful story, a man who grows to care and love others.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

In another Kristin Hannah sweeping tale (I’ve read The Nightingale and The Great Alone), two sisters hope to heal from the loss of one parent while becoming closer to the other parent. In between, Hannah leads us on a journey through present day Washington state and Alaska as well as war torn Leningrad.

There is some comfort in the predictable storyline of two sisters with opposite personalities. The older sister, Meredith, surrounds herself with a stable family life, eventually taking over the family apple harvesting business. The younger sister, Nina, a world renowned photographer, travels the world and lives like a gypsy.

Both daughters have a close relationship with their father. Their mother? Eh, not so much. Is there a reason for her lack of empathy and coldness towards her family?

“And maybe that was how it was supposed to be…Joy and sadness were part of the package; the trick, perhaps, was to let yourself feel all of it, but to hold on to the joy just a little more tightly…” -Kristin Hannah

As children, Meredith and Nina remember Anya’s fairy tales. It is the only bit of humanity they see within their distant and lonely mother. As adults, they ask their mother to finish one particular story. Throughout the remainder of the book, Anya illustrates the fairy tale. Is it real? Or is it a fairy tale? Read to find out the story of these women.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Epic story with astounding history. A sweeping epic detailing the Korean immigrant experience and set in the early 20th century.

Pachinko follows the story of four generations of Korean family, first in occupied Korea and then in Japan. Sunja falls in love with a mobster, thinking he loves only her. She soon realizes she is wrong. A young pastor marries her and they move to Osaka to raise her child.

Living everyday in the presence of those who refuse to acknowledge your humanity takes great courage” 
― Min Jin Lee, Pachinko

Due to class distinctions, their Korean family can only find work in pachinko parlors. Each generation wants to be seen as prominent and Japanese. But, will never be accepted. Read and see their resilience and survival. Good book for book club, lots of options for discussions.