Reviews

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

tatyanavogt's review

4.0

Okay soooooo when I got this as an option during my November TBR game I was not super excited about it. I have a love hate relationship with basically literary fiction. But despite how hard it is for me to connect and get on board with the stories.. they also OFTEN end up being five stars or simply highly rated books. So I hoped for the best and was very happy when I immediately got into it. I knew the book was inspired by true events and focused on several topics that I care about as a black woman myself so I figured I would be interested enough to continue even if I didn't love the writing. Fortunately I didn't have to worry about that because I enjoyed the perspective of the main character, the writing and the way the story was crafted. I was vert interested to see what was going on and was just very invested.

klekamp's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

livs_getting_bookish's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh, I felt this story. I REALLY felt this story. I love when historical fiction throws aspects of REAL history in the mix. I listened to this at work and had to hold back real tears when doing so. Although like Civil I have chosen not to bear any children of my own, this is a decision that I was and am still able to make. I can change my mind tomorrow, and I have that option. The decision was stolen from these women . . . because they were in a position where they couldn't refuse or demand more info. Why does this world hate brown and black people so much. We are constantly mistreated, misinformed (by no fault of our own) and mishandled. And this is normal! Why?!?!?!

writingcaia's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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? No

4.75

Another showcase of mistreatment of Black people, of Black women in particular. Will it ever stop?!?
Inspired by a true story this book is gut wrenching and heart breaking, but beautifully written and with a mysterious narrative that keeps you guessing at what comes next.
Super recommend it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Medical content, Racism, Abortion, and Infertility

jtouchard23's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

raybudbury's review against another edition

emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Finished another book club book before book club 🫶

This one is good. Learned more about the issues of forced/unauthorized sterilization in the United States. Loosely based on a true story, I think it’s definitely a good book to read for ppl to understand class differences/fertility rights/race etc

dhar7's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

bendercath's review

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Really moving and beautiful telling of a horrific part of American history. Particularly in present-day America, this story of Black women’s reproductive rights is strikingly powerful. The voices of the characters are vivid and strong, so real. Thank you to this author for her work on this impactful and important book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Medical trauma

Moderate: Ableism and Abortion

bnnagle's review

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-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

5.0

I loved this book. The topics were heavy, but the writing was light and easy to read. This was a nice balance between the intensity of the plot.