In My Father's House

The Bookworm says... Maybe. In My Father's House by Ann Rinaldi is not a bad book, by any means. The first battle of the civil war was fought on the Mason-McLean family's front lawn in Manassas, Virginia. The surrender was signed in their parlor in their home at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. The five year period in between the two events follows the stories of sisters Maria and Oscie as their country splits in two. 

In My Father's House was not bad. I, in general, dislike historical fiction. Which is why I didn't enjoy this book. The symbolism in the novel was amazing; it's perfectly clear to me that the war is used as a symbol of the relationship between two characters, but some that have read this may seem clueless as to what I mean. Everyone interprets it differently. 

"I'm no longer a military man, Captain. Only a father. And believe me, with two pretty daughters on my hands and an army camped on my doorstep, it's easier being a major in the militia."

The Invention of Wings

The Bookworm says... Yes!! The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd was fantastic. Set in the early 1800's, two girls form a very unlikely friendship when one becomes property of the other. The story of Handful (Hetty) Grimké, a young slave, 11 at the start of the novel. The story of Sarah Grimké, a young and very privileged white girl in Charleston, South Carolina, also 11 at the start of the novel. As years go pass, the girls grow closer and drift and closer and drift. Growing up at the same time, both girls strive for very different things. While both experiencing the same sorrow and loss, Sarah and Handful seek out their futures in freedom of some type, whether it be from a master or from a domestic life. 

Sarah Grimké is an extremely under appreciated figure in American History, along with her sister Angelina Grimké. Some of America's first true feminists, these girls led numerous iconic protests/movements for the feminist cause. Sue Monk Kidd gives them each a new appreciation in this novel. A flawless blend of fact and fiction, The Invention of Wings was truly beautiful. 

"If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from."