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Take My Hand

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Take My Hand

Written by: Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Narrated by: Lauren J. Daggett
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About this listen

 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 Black Creators Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt African American Historical Fiction

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Extraordinary story and based on true events… everybody needs to learn about what happened even not so long ago… 🥺 Very well written and very well read! Thank you Audible!!

Such a story and based on facts!! 🥺

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The care & love Civil showed for the family plus Lou's steadfast commitment to the case and the family.

Emotional, gut wrenching and inspiring novel

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I absolutely LOVED this book. I listened to the audible version and the fact that the narrator Lauren Daggett told the story in a southern accent really made me feel like it was Civil retelling her story and version of events that happened. Thought is a work of fiction, it’s very real in the elements that plagued Black Americans during those times.

I could not recommend this book enough.

An Amazing Story

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So many layers in this novel. And not surprised that I had to learn about this topic through a novel.

Exceptional writing and performance!

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When I first picked up Take My Hand, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, but by the time I turned the last page, I was profoundly moved. The book takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, offering a gut-wrenching look into the pursuit of justice, the pain of trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The story centers on Civil, a remarkably compelling protagonist whose determination to secure justice for two young girls anchors the plot. Civil’s journey is one of heartache, perseverance, and hope, and as the narrative unfolds, you find yourself rooting for her with every turn of the page. Her drive to protect the vulnerable and seek justice for the wronged makes her an unforgettable character—imperfect yet unwavering in her resolve. Her story, however, isn’t just about her personal triumphs and setbacks; it’s about the lives of the young girls she is fighting for, whose pain is all too real.

What makes the novel even more heart-wrenching is the fact that it is based on a true story. The events portrayed hit much closer to home, and knowing that these tragedies really happened only deepened my emotional response. By the end of the book, I found myself reflecting not only on the strength of the characters but also on the real-world impact of their stories.

The Williams family was another highlight of this book. The author does an exceptional job of fleshing out their lives and dynamics, making them feel like a living, breathing family rather than mere plot devices. Their love, warmth, and struggles are palpable, and I found myself growing attached to them with each chapter. It’s rare to come across a family in fiction that feels so complete, and it made the emotional stakes of the story all the more poignant.

Perhaps my favorite part of the entire book is the chapter where Civil visits Erika and India in present-day. That moment is full of warmth and healing—a stark contrast to the trauma we witness earlier in the narrative. It was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is hope, and sometimes, justice is more than just a legal battle—it’s about healing and reconciliation.

Ultimately, Take My Hand is a testament to the power of justice, the importance of family, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit. I went into this book unsure of what I would find, but I finished it with a heart full of both sorrow and hope. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a gripping, emotional story that stays with you long after you’ve closed the cover.

Heartbreaking

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