menachris87's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
shellysbookcorner's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Berkley for my review copy.
This was a heartbreaking and heartfelt book that will stay with me for a very long time.
Y’all I should have just minded my business when I saw Nia’s reaction stories about this book, but did I? Nope. Within the first few chapters I knew where this book was heading and when it happened I was a mess. These poor babies and the sad part is that these things have happened in real life and continue to happen. Being poor AND Black at the mercy of government assistance is a terrible combination and situation.
This story touches on the challenges Black girls/women have when receiving proper healthcare especially those of a certain demographic. We have the highest maternal mortality rate. Black women don’t receive proper healthcare treatment as do white women. This is something I’ve experienced first hand when I was at the emergency room for an asthma attack. Myself and another Black woman’s medical issues had been dismissed, while the white woman was given the royal treatment for a pulled muscle in her back. Mind you I’m there for an asthma attack!!
When the survey came in the mail about my experience you better believe I got that doctor in trouble. A few weeks later when I went back for another attack he was my doctor and what a complete difference. The things we have to do just to receive proper healthcare.
shksprsis's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? No
5.0
and_britt's review against another edition
5.0
My Take: A historical fiction novel based on true events set in the 1970s, post-segregation, in Montgomery, Alabama. It’s a story of impoverished communities being taken advantage of by family planning clinics and the impacts of government services on minority groups. The author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, did an amazing job researching and carefully putting together this story that is jaw-dropping, captivating and informative. Through the narrative of a female nurse, Civil Townsend, who graduated in the top of her class from Tuskegee University, begins working at a family planning clinic to help those who are in need of family planning. Her first two patients are two young girls aged 11 and 13 living in a “house” out in rural Alabama receiving birth control shots. As a reader, you are struck by the adolescents who are not at all sexually active, but are receiving these medical treatments. Be prepared to become attached to the family, Civil Townsend, and the impact of what this story has to tell you.
whatchapterareyouon's review against another edition
5.0
Enlightening and emotional
What a great book to shed a light on a topic I knew nothing about. Very emotive and well-written. Balances historical fiction very well and you become highly invested in all characters.
What a great book to shed a light on a topic I knew nothing about. Very emotive and well-written. Balances historical fiction very well and you become highly invested in all characters.
chrisynthia's review against another edition
4.0
It was insightful because of the true events it was based on, but the storyline was really too slow for my taste. It made me do some research, though, so I bumped up to 4 stars. I guess some books are meant to educate instead of entertain. This one definitely did that.
mhoffrob's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable historical fiction read - while I had a vague knowledge of the scandal involving forced sterilization using Federal funds, this novel brought the heartbreak to the forefront while imagining how coercion and trickery combined with poverty to dupe people into agreement. Partially focused on a re-imagined lawsuit in Alabama, the basics are well researched but the author makes it clear the protaganists are of her own creation. Highly recommend.
wickersham94's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0