Take My Hand

Take My Hand is inspired by historical events and is an eye-opening story about how the American government forced sterilization upon impoverished Black women and young girls in post-segregation Alabama.

Using two timelines (1973 and 2016), the story is told by Civil Townsend, a young Black nurse who is horrified to learn that she was sent to administer birth control drugs to 11- and 14-year-old sisters from a poor Black family. Feeling guilty for even unknowingly putting the girls in danger and angered by the demands of her superiors, Civil dedicates herself to helping the Williams' family and unveiling the unjust practices of the government who blatantly denied these women agency over their own medical and reproductive decisions. 

The important topics and themes are all there, but the storytelling, emotion and tension fell short. The story was repetitive with Civil's constant interference in the Williams' family's business, and I didn't enjoy the inclusion of small plot points (and the earlier timeline) which didn't have much bearing on the overall story. I felt disconnected emotionally from the characters and I wish the POV of one of the Williams' girls was included to give the story better balance and poignancy.  

This book has great intention to shine a light on an important part of American history, but the writing didn't live up to my expectations. Despite my misgivings, I hope it will instigate discussion about reproductive rights, saviour mentality and racism - all of which continue to be prevalent today.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Genre: Historical Fiction, BIPOC author

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Publisher: Berkley

First Published: April 12, 2022

Book Description from GoodReads: Inspired by true events that rocked the nation, a profoundly moving novel about a Black nurse in post-segregation Alabama who blows the whistle on a terrible wrong done to her patients, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wench.

Montgomery, Alabama 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend has big plans to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she intends to help women make their own choices for their lives and bodies.

But when her first week on the job takes her down a dusty country road to a worn down one-room cabin, she’s shocked to learn that her new patients are children—just 11 and 13 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 the 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.