The Invention of Wings

Kidd’s novel spans more than three decades and follows the lives of “Handful”—a 10-year-old slave living in Charleston in the early 19th-century with the Grimké family—and Sarah Grimké—the remarkable daughter of the house, whom, on her 11th birthday, is given Handful as a gift. Oduye and Lamia share the narration in this audio edition, with the former reading Handful’s sections of the book and the latter handling Sarah’s. Oduye skillfully captures the essence of Handful. Her pacing, tone, and annunciation are just right, and the southern accent she reads with pitch perfect. Lamia turns in an equally enjoyable performance. Her airy narration, steady pacing, and southern accent more than do justice to Sarah. Fans of Kidd’s novel will be delighted. [em]A Viking hardcover. (Jan.) [/em]