March Reading Challenge Discussion

March’s Reading Challenge was to read a book based on true life events. The book could be a fictionalized account or a non-fiction book.

I am DELIGHTED to report my reading challenge is back on track and I read both of my selections!

The first novel I selected is The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. I found out during a visit to the Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, SC that this book is based on Sarah Grimke, who is related to the original owners of the plantation.

The Invention of Wings is a poignant yet very educational novel about South Carolinian Sarah Grimke and her journey from slave owner’s daughter to abolitionist and early advocate of women’s rights. Sarah’s portion of the novel is a fictionalized account of actual events. Handful’s storyline is complete fiction but both story arcs are compelling.

On her eleventh birthday, Sarah’s parents “gifted” her a young slave whose mother named her Handful but whose slave owners named Hetty. Sarah is uncomfortable “owning” another person and the two girls’ relationship quickly surpasses master/slave. Sarah surreptitiously teaches Handful to read only to watch in horror as Handful is whipped when someone discovers she can read.

Over the course of 35 years, the women’s lives diverge yet they both yearn for freedom. For Handful, freedom literally means escaping a life of slavery whereas Sarah longs to be free to pursue a career that is off limits to women. Handful is on the fringes of slave revolt that is quashed before it begins and the leaders are hanged. In the aftermath, slaves lose what little freedom they had and their movements are restricted and closely monitored.

Sarah’s father becomes ill and she accompanies him to Northern states in hopes of a cure. Exposed to a life free of slavery, she chafes at going back South Carolina but she obediently returns. Sarah eventually leaves again and converts to Quakerism-a religion which has deep abolitionist roots. Later in life, she is joined by her younger sister, Angelina, and they formally join the abolitionist movement where they are celebrated for their writings and powerful speeches. During the course of their activism, Charlotte and Angelina also turn their attention to advocating women’s rights.

Fictionalized novels of real people and events serve as a valuable tool in educating people of long forgotten or little known events of significant historical value. Instead of dry accounts in a history book, an author brings the people, places and incidents vividly to life by providing readers with important backstories, facts and context. It is through novels such as The Invention of Wings that we learn about valuable pieces of history that might otherwise remain hidden from sight. It is a shame that history has forgotten the important role Sarah Grimke and her sister Angelina played in the abolitionist and suffrage movements. Many people are unaware of the grim life and horrific hardships that were endured by slaves. Thankfully, Sue Monk Kidd righted this wrong by writing The Invention of Wings.

Please click HERE to learn more about The Invention of Wings.

My second selection is Splinters by Ben Patrick Johnson. I assumed the story was autobiographical but I recently discovered it is actually based on someone else’s life.

Splinters is narrated by Aziah Jackson who unexpectedly finds himself in a relationship with Gerald Allyn. Aziah is a straight arrow who works hard and keeps in shape. He is fully aware of the dangers of addiction so he stays clear of drugs. Unfortunately, his world is about to be turned upside down by Gerald and his meth addiction.

Aziah immediately falls for Gerald but theirs is not an easy relationship. Aziah makes excuses for Gerald’s secrecy, lies, paranoia and absences. He is almost willfully blind to these red flags and he refuses to listen to anyone’s negativity. Of course, it is obvious to everyone except Aziah that Gerald is an unreliable narrator of his life as he skirts around the truth. Eventually Aziah is forced to deal with the fact that his co-dependency is enabling Gerald’s addiction. What will the future hold for this couple once Gerald enters rehab?

Splinters is a very engrossing novel. Aziah and Gerald are well-developed, likable characters. The addiction portion of the storyline is realistic and even though I wanted to shake Aziah for his naivete, I liked his steadfastness. Gerald is a hot mess and although the novel ends on a upbeat note, I am VERY curious to see how life works out for Gerald and Aziah.

In a strange (and sad) twist of fate, Ben Patrick Johnson is currently battling his own addiction to meth. He has completed rehab and he is now entering next phase in his sobriety. I wish him the best of luck as he battles his addiction. You can follow his journey on Facebook and Twitter.

Please click HERE to learn more about Splinters.

Did you enjoy the book you selected for this month’s challenge?

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Check out April’s challenge HERE.