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carlyxdeexx's review against another edition
4.0
Like RADIUM GIRLS, this book brings the stories of real women from history to life. Unlike RADIUM GIRLS, this is a much more fictionalized account, which isn’t to say any less research went into its creation. Kidd goes into detail at the book’s end about which portions of the story are fabricated and which are rooted in primary source material, which for me added a lot to the storytelling and to my sense of understanding the book. I love when authors are transparent about their processes, about why they made the choices they did. I get to enjoy the moments in which they’ve taken liberties, and simultaneously acknowledge their separation from fact.
I’m glad of most of Kidd’s choices here. I think her deciding to include two narrators was a risky but ultimately enlightening and well-handled choice. The synthesis of her research with her characters’ fleshed-out voices felt honest and thoroughly human. The imagined portions seemed as real as the historical nuggets throughout. And I can honestly say I was always excited to pick this book up and see what was going to happen next. The pacing and the back-and-forth between characters kept me hooked throughout—I was never bored or mired down. I’m happy I gave this a read and could both learn about the Grimkes and see into Handful and Charlotte’s lives.
I’m glad of most of Kidd’s choices here. I think her deciding to include two narrators was a risky but ultimately enlightening and well-handled choice. The synthesis of her research with her characters’ fleshed-out voices felt honest and thoroughly human. The imagined portions seemed as real as the historical nuggets throughout. And I can honestly say I was always excited to pick this book up and see what was going to happen next. The pacing and the back-and-forth between characters kept me hooked throughout—I was never bored or mired down. I’m happy I gave this a read and could both learn about the Grimkes and see into Handful and Charlotte’s lives.
abbymoore06's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Incredible historical fiction. I loved how SMK used the two perspectives and allowed the reader to discover for themselves the validity of their friendship. So much of this novel was hard to read, but it's so important. The character development is superb and the research is impeccable. Kudos to SMK for adding another brilliant novel to the genre.
savaging's review against another edition
4.0
There are so many mistakes a white author can make with a book like this, which is inspired by the lives of the Grimke sisters, abolitionists and feminists from the South. I was scared she would focus too much on 'white savior' figures. Or that she'd make the enslaved characters too secondary, too appreciative, focused on helping the white protagonist at the expense of their own narrative arcs.
But Sue Monk Kidd seems to avoid these missteps by really digging in to the lives of the people subjected into slavery by the Grimke family. These characters (Handful, Charlotte, and Sky) are extraordinary -- bold, active, and seeking out their own liberation in inspiring ways. Their stories are an important counterpoint to the story of white abolitionists -- and they're also the most full, vibrant, compelling parts of the novel.
My only remaining uncertainty is about the ending.
Overall, this is such a well-done book, pulling me into the scenes and conversations and giving me more appreciation for the people who did the hard work of resistance.
But Sue Monk Kidd seems to avoid these missteps by really digging in to the lives of the people subjected into slavery by the Grimke family. These characters (Handful, Charlotte, and Sky) are extraordinary -- bold, active, and seeking out their own liberation in inspiring ways. Their stories are an important counterpoint to the story of white abolitionists -- and they're also the most full, vibrant, compelling parts of the novel.
My only remaining uncertainty is about the ending.
Spoiler
Handful and Sky, with Sarah's help, escape into freedom. In reality, the character who inspired Handful died when she was still young. It doesn't seem like Sarah physically helped anyone escape. It was a really lovely ending, but it felt like a fantasy compared with the rest of the book. Like Kidd didn't dare give us the reality of how awful and hopeless slavery was, and didn't want to admit that abolitionist lecturers sometimes had a limited immediate effect. I don't know that this was a mistake -- maybe the book wouldn't be bearable without it. But it's something I'm still stewing.Overall, this is such a well-done book, pulling me into the scenes and conversations and giving me more appreciation for the people who did the hard work of resistance.
jniemeier's review against another edition
4.0
It was a really good book. In some respects it reminded me of The Kitchen House. I didn't realize until the author's note at the end it was loosely based on real people. (I started suspecting when Lucretia Mott made an appearance)
At first the alternating chapters was a wee bit confusing, but mostly because I could only read in spurts due to my schedule. Once I got used to it, and could read more in a sitting it wasn't an issue and it was interesting getting both perspectives.
At first the alternating chapters was a wee bit confusing, but mostly because I could only read in spurts due to my schedule. Once I got used to it, and could read more in a sitting it wasn't an issue and it was interesting getting both perspectives.
chapita4's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't sure how to rate this book, because the ending is a bit abrupt and I wanted more. I loved the story, and I admired the characters and it was written in such a way that I wanted to keep learning more. Here we are all these years later and we are still fighting for equality.....change is slow and we seem programmed to fear it. I wasn't aware that fight to end slavery also sparked the fight for equal rights for women and I'd like to read more about that as well. I loved the pieces that talked about tradition and story quilts and wings...so beautiful.
jrmarr's review against another edition
4.0
This is was a challenging but captivating read, made all the more interesting by finding out it's based on real people. A commentary on slavery, emancipation, generational trauma, feminism and a debate on what constitutes justice, this was a highly readable book.
odorothy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kemcgarr's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
hbmcc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
I really loved this story, especially when I realized it was based on actual characters and events. The audio was amazing with different actors reading Sarah & Handfull with appropriate accents that really brought you into the time and setting of the story.