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megbee95's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Abortion
Minor: Medical trauma and Death of parent
alandry2015's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, and Racism
jtaylor0701's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Mental illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Racism, and Classism
lisettemarie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Classism, Medical trauma, and Racism
anna_reads_too_much's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
WOW. I had seen this book all over the place and heard a lot of things about it, but I finally took the plunge and read it. This book was absolutely stunning. It was pretty slow during Part I, and I had a harder time getting invested, but once Part II started, I was invested and very interested to see how the story was going to progress.
Be sure to read the author's note to see which parts of this book are based on true events and a major Supreme Court decision.
Horrifying to read, but beautifully written. Don't miss out on this one.
Be sure to read the author's note to see which parts of this book are based on true events and a major Supreme Court decision.
Horrifying to read, but beautifully written. Don't miss out on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Medical content, and Racism
sarahweyand's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
I'm so glad I finally got around to listening to this book. I'm so glad I chose to listen to the audiobook because I cannot recommend the narrator highly enough. Her voice was so emotive and melodic and a joy to listen to.
I found this book's premise to be so compelling, even before i knew just how true its content was. While the plot drew me in, the real star of the show is the relationship between our protagonist, Civil, and the girls she is assign to care for, India and Erica. Watching her bond strengthen with the girls throughout the book was a delight, as were the many other relationships between various characters. The first two-thirds of this book had me in a chokehold.
I will say that the dual timeline in Take My Hand doesn't really do it for me. The plot points in the past are far more interesting and heart-wrenching than anything that occurs in the present, which is such an unfortunate flaw to have in a book. Luckily the storyline heavily favors the past, so that wasn't much of an issue for most of the plotline. However, the final third of the book leans more heavily into a trial and the ramifications of certain plot events, and we're pulled away from the foundational relationships of the book slightly. While this was still an interesting aspect of the plot, I can't say I cared for it nearly as much.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book, especially the audiobook, even if just for the educational aspect. These very real, horrific circumstances don't get a lot of acknowledgement these days, and it's important to remember that they did happen and affect real people. Will be on the lookout from more from Perkins-Valdez.
I found this book's premise to be so compelling, even before i knew just how true its content was. While the plot drew me in, the real star of the show is the relationship between our protagonist, Civil, and the girls she is assign to care for, India and Erica. Watching her bond strengthen with the girls throughout the book was a delight, as were the many other relationships between various characters. The first two-thirds of this book had me in a chokehold.
I will say that the dual timeline in Take My Hand doesn't really do it for me. The plot points in the past are far more interesting and heart-wrenching than anything that occurs in the present, which is such an unfortunate flaw to have in a book. Luckily the storyline heavily favors the past, so that wasn't much of an issue for most of the plotline. However, the final third of the book leans more heavily into a trial and the ramifications of certain plot events, and we're pulled away from the foundational relationships of the book slightly. While this was still an interesting aspect of the plot, I can't say I cared for it nearly as much.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book, especially the audiobook, even if just for the educational aspect. These very real, horrific circumstances don't get a lot of acknowledgement these days, and it's important to remember that they did happen and affect real people. Will be on the lookout from more from Perkins-Valdez.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Medical trauma, and Racism
im_thehbic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Classism, Infertility, and Medical trauma
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
Moderate: Abortion, Violence, Classism, and Racism
kelly_e's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
Title: Take My Hand
Author: Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: April 12, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Delicate • Devastating • Illuminating
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Montgomery, Alabama, 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend intends to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she hopes to help women shape their destinies, to make their own choices for their lives and bodies.
But when her first week on the job takes her along a dusty country road to a worn-down one-room cabin, Civil is shocked to learn that her new patients, Erica and India, are children—just eleven and thirteen years old. Neither of the Williams sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black, and for those handling the family’s welfare benefits, that’s reason enough to have the girls on birth control. As Civil grapples with her role, she takes India, Erica, and their family into her heart. Until one day she arrives at their door to learn the unthinkable has happened, and nothing will ever be the same for any of them.
Decades later, with her daughter grown and a long career in her wake, Dr. Civil Townsend is ready to retire, to find her peace, and to leave the past behind. But there are people and stories that refuse to be forgotten. That must not be forgotten.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Take My Hand was one of my 12 recommendations from 12 friends for 2023, and one I was most looking forward to after so many glowing reviews from trusted historical fiction readers. Honestly, I am not sure 5-stars is nearly enough for this powerful and emotional book.
One of the things I appreciate most about historical fiction is how it allows the reader a glimpse into history through so many different lenses. Although Take My Hand is a fictionalized account (based on true events), the writing and characterization brought everything to life. Told in dual timelines and exploring the haunting history of eugenics, this novel is incredibly well-written and eye-opening. The characters were three dimensional and I was sucked into their lives from the very start. There were moments of pause, there were tears, there was anger - it was just an incredible reading experience. Yet knowing this happened, and continues to happen, is so unsettling.
Take My Hand will be easily be finding its way onto my forever shelf, as well as my year-end 2023 favourites list! It's a novel offering another much needed layer to the discussion of reproductive rights and justice. It is sure to spark discussion, raising moral and ethical questions. I will be thinking of this one for a long time to come. So far my friends have been hitting it out of the park with their recommendations.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction lovers
• fans of Necessary Lies
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Our bodies belong to us. Poor, disabled, it didn't matter. These were our bodies and we have the right to decide what to do with them."
"There is no greater right for a woman than having a choice."
"I had never known that good intentions could be just as destructive as bad ones."
Author: Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: April 12, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Delicate • Devastating • Illuminating
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Montgomery, Alabama, 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend intends to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she hopes to help women shape their destinies, to make their own choices for their lives and bodies.
But when her first week on the job takes her along a dusty country road to a worn-down one-room cabin, Civil is shocked to learn that her new patients, Erica and India, are children—just eleven and thirteen years old. Neither of the Williams sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black, and for those handling the family’s welfare benefits, that’s reason enough to have the girls on birth control. As Civil grapples with her role, she takes India, Erica, and their family into her heart. Until one day she arrives at their door to learn the unthinkable has happened, and nothing will ever be the same for any of them.
Decades later, with her daughter grown and a long career in her wake, Dr. Civil Townsend is ready to retire, to find her peace, and to leave the past behind. But there are people and stories that refuse to be forgotten. That must not be forgotten.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Take My Hand was one of my 12 recommendations from 12 friends for 2023, and one I was most looking forward to after so many glowing reviews from trusted historical fiction readers. Honestly, I am not sure 5-stars is nearly enough for this powerful and emotional book.
One of the things I appreciate most about historical fiction is how it allows the reader a glimpse into history through so many different lenses. Although Take My Hand is a fictionalized account (based on true events), the writing and characterization brought everything to life. Told in dual timelines and exploring the haunting history of eugenics, this novel is incredibly well-written and eye-opening. The characters were three dimensional and I was sucked into their lives from the very start. There were moments of pause, there were tears, there was anger - it was just an incredible reading experience. Yet knowing this happened, and continues to happen, is so unsettling.
Take My Hand will be easily be finding its way onto my forever shelf, as well as my year-end 2023 favourites list! It's a novel offering another much needed layer to the discussion of reproductive rights and justice. It is sure to spark discussion, raising moral and ethical questions. I will be thinking of this one for a long time to come. So far my friends have been hitting it out of the park with their recommendations.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction lovers
• fans of Necessary Lies
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Our bodies belong to us. Poor, disabled, it didn't matter. These were our bodies and we have the right to decide what to do with them."
"There is no greater right for a woman than having a choice."
"I had never known that good intentions could be just as destructive as bad ones."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Infertility, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexism, Classism, Grief, Racism, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Death, Suicide, and Abortion
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, Genocide, Car accident, Child death, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: Terminal illness, Cancer, and Sexual content
adoptionkarlisimp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a phenomenal read especially in our age of reproductive rights. It was interesting to see a fictionalized account of how far we have come in such a short amount of time and yet still how much work is left to do. Beautiful and intriguing writing with a haunting story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Racism, and Abortion