Take My Hand

By: Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Narrated by: Lauren J. Daggett

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2023 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction

“Deeply empathetic yet unflinching in its gaze…an unforgettable exploration of responsibility and redemption.”—Celeste Ng

Inspired by true events that rocked the nation, a searing and compassionate new novel about a Black nurse in post-segregation Alabama who blows the whistle on a terrible injustice done to her patients, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wench

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.

Because history repeats what we don’t remember.

Inspired by true events and brimming with hope, Take My Hand is a stirring exploration of accountability and redemption.

“Highlights the horrific discrepancies in our healthcare system and illustrates their heartbreaking consequences.”—Essence

©2022 Dolen Perkins-Valdez (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“In her newest novel, Dolen Perkins-Valdez probes the many ways institutional racism and classism inflicts lasting scars, especially on young Black women—and the grace, courage, and love needed to begin to heal those wounds. Deeply empathetic yet unflinching in its gaze, Take My Hand is an unforgettable exploration of responsibility and redemption, the dangers of good intentions, and the folly of believing anyone can decide what's best for another's life.” (Celeste Ng, number one New York Times best-selling author of Little Fires Everywhere)

“Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a brilliant writer in a class all by herself. I love her voice and how she makes the past feel immediate and relevant, because it is.” (Terry McMillan, number one New York Times best-selling author)

“Take My Hand is a gem: one of those rare and beautiful novels that walks the balance beam of heartbreak and hope. Dolen Perkins-Valdez demonstrates once again the way she can breathe life into history through fiction that adds deep and profound meaning to the past—and makes its relevance to the present meaningful and clear.” (Chris Bohjalian, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Flight Attendant and Hour of the Witch)

Excellent Historical Fiction

The immoral and shameful overreach of the U.S. government on the reproductive rights of mostly black and poor women and young girls through forced sterilization is the central focus of this novel told in dual time lines ,1973 and 2016. While these events are mainly told through the experiences of two young black girls aged 11 and 14 and the nurse who tries to save them, there were many other women in the country subjected to these immoral practices at that time. Even in more recent years, “reproductive injustice”took place in California prisons between 2006 and 2010.

This is not just a story that enlightened me, stunned me, educated me, but one that moved me, bringing me to tears thinking about these young girls and women. Taking real events as the inspiration and giving a portrait of the time and place and the emotional and psychological impact on people’s lives is for me a hallmark of good historical fiction. The author in her note indicates what of this novel is based on real events and real people and that made it all the more meaningful. Sad and scary and infuriating how relevant this overreach is even today.

Awesome

I was very hesitant before and after purchasing the book because of the fiction fillers. I tell you, when I began to read, as I engaged, I was drawn to each and every word. It was like I was there experiencing every moment. I am so glad I purchased this book. It is phenomenal!

Emotionally Captivating

So glad that this was the title I chose as my first time listening to a book. I so enjoyed the story that I finished it in about 12 hours.

I was moved to tears by the sadness in the truth of the story. I was left wondering if things will ever really change and, if so, what will be the true source of that change. I was also moved by the idea of what some give up to not only protect the people they love but the greater good humanity.

A beautifully well-written tale of family, love, and trust amidst such an ugly ongoing narrative that continues to exist in this country.

Best story teller!

Absolutely love the narrator, she did an amazing job telling this story!! Job well done!!

A painful look at America's shameful behaviors

This book is well written and well read . I strongly recommend it. I have recommended it to others who have likewise shared my experience!

Bravo to the Arthur

Enlightening! I had no clue. Sad to say the least. Searching for more reads.

Eye opener!

Take My Hand is on time. The author draws you in as you see how Civil Townsend unpacks her story. I urge everyone to read this riveting book! This book is much needed during this time of unrest. Great job!

Wonderful story rooted in history

Beautiful work of fiction based on a terrible true story. I had goosebumps from the first chapter until the last.

So hard to comprehend

The story is heartfelt, well written and the narrative is on point. such a good book. you will not be disappointed.

Painfully Prophetic

Wow. This was really a 4.5 star read for me. It is the true story of Mary Alice and Minnie Lee Relf, who were surgically sterilized as LITTLE GIRLS without their consent in Alabama in the 70's. The story is told more as historical fiction than biography and there is a beautiful author's note to clarify what was real and what was imagined. The main character is a fictional black nurse, Civil Townsend, who is personally and professionally impacted by the crime against the two little girls and her unintentional role in it. As a nurse in Women's Health and in lieu of recent events with Roe V Wade being overturned, I found this book painfully prophetic. The character development is outstanding and you can feel Civil's deep need to help those less fortunate than her- even to the fault that she causes more harm than good in the end. It's a complex but fair look at racial injustice and racial inequity even within the black community itself. So glad I read this and really think it should be included in required reading in school. Hauntingly tragic but Dolen Perkins-Valdez manages to create some redemption through grace at the end. You will not regret reading this one.