The invention of wings by Sue Monk Kidd

  Wow, what a great book.  I am now suffering from "Book Withdrawal."  This is a mostly historical, but some fictionalization, book.  It is the story of Sarah Grimke and her sister, Angelina, who were early fighters against abolition and for women's rights.  The story starts in 1803 in Charleston, SC where 11 year old Sarah is given a slave, Hetty, also 11, for her birthday.  She is not happy and tries to free her but is defeated by her family and the system.  The rest of the book switches between Sarah and Hetty, both of whom have severe hardships in their experiences.  Very powerful, and a great book for women's studies and U.S. history.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND, especially for historical fiction lovers.