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A review by lady_anicolee
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This captivating piece of historical fiction delves into a poignant and troubling narrative. Nurse Civil, dedicated and compassionate, oversees the care of two young girls, Erica and India, as they receive their birth control shots at the tender ages of 11 and 13. The younger of the two, India, is just beginning to navigate the complexities of adolescence and has not yet experienced her first menstrual cycle. Unbeknownst to Nurse Civil, this critical detail weighs heavily on the situation.
In an earnest effort to correct her oversight, Nurse Civil resolves never to administer the shots to the girls again, seeking to prioritize their health and well-being. However, fate intervenes when her supervisor discovers the unfolding story. Without consulting Nurse Civil or even informing the girls' parents, the supervisor decides to take a drastic step: she takes Erica and India to the hospital for a tubal ligation. This act, shrouded in secrecy and arising from a misguided sense of authority, sets off a chain of events that raises profound questions about autonomy, parental rights, and the boundaries of medical intervention.
In an earnest effort to correct her oversight, Nurse Civil resolves never to administer the shots to the girls again, seeking to prioritize their health and well-being. However, fate intervenes when her supervisor discovers the unfolding story. Without consulting Nurse Civil or even informing the girls' parents, the supervisor decides to take a drastic step: she takes Erica and India to the hospital for a tubal ligation. This act, shrouded in secrecy and arising from a misguided sense of authority, sets off a chain of events that raises profound questions about autonomy, parental rights, and the boundaries of medical intervention.