Take My Hand

by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Take My Hand cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1275
  • Added: 2025-10-02
  • Updated: 2025-10-03
  • ISBN: 9781474622707
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2022-04-12
  • Formats: 14
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend is eager to make a difference in her community. Her first assignment takes her to the Williams family, where she uncovers a horrifying truth about the welfare system's treatment of poor Black women. Despite the risks, Civil decides to fight for justice and equality, inspired by true events that will open your eyes and break your heart. Take My Hand is a powerful and timely novel that explores themes of love, courage, and the power of one person to change the world. It is a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. This unforgettable story is based on a shocking chapter of recent history and will leave a lasting impact on readers.

Reviews
Cannonball Read · 2023-05-14
mixed 3.00

They felt the novel should have been more engaging but acknowledged its importance. The story is described as moving but a bit flat.

Cannonball Read's review acknowledges the novel's importance and moving nature, but they felt it lacked the depth and engagement they had hoped for. They recognize the significance of the story, which deals with the shameful history of forced sterilization, but found it to be a bit flat. The review suggests that while the novel is important, it may not fully captivate all readers.

Quick quotes

    I feel as though I SHOULD have liked this novel much more than I actually did.

    It is related to the shameful history of forced sterilization and the oppression of Black women.

    The novel is moving, but it felt a bit flat for me.

The Book Stop · 2022-12-06
impactful 4.00

They found the story moving and highlighted the real-life class action suit it addresses. The novel is praised for its emotional depth.

The Book Stop's review emphasizes the moving nature of the story, which revolves around a young black nurse in the 1970s and a real-life class action suit. They appreciate the novel's emotional depth and its focus on a shameful historical event. The review suggests that the novel is a powerful and impactful read, bringing attention to an important issue.

Quick quotes

    It's a moving story of a young black nurse in the 1970s, about a real-life class action suit to address the coerced or forced sterilizations of young women.

    The novel is a powerful and impactful read.

    It brings attention to an important and often overlooked historical event.

Elle Turp Pitt · 2022-05-04
profound 4.50

They praised the novel for its beautiful execution and its ability to highlight real people and events. The writing is described as wonderful.

Elle Turp Pitt's review highlights the novel's ability to bring to life a fictional account of a very real event, focusing on the people at its centre. They were particularly impressed with the writing, calling it wonderfully executed. This review suggests that the novel is a powerful and moving read, blending historical fact with compelling storytelling.

Quick quotes

    Take My Hand is a fictional account of a very real event, and highlights the very real people at its centre.

    It is wonderfully written and beautifully executed.

    The characters are compelling and the narrative voice is strong.

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