Take My Hand : Discussion Thread

[Trisha]

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.

[Trisha]

Please remember this is a discussion thread!

** Spoilers might be listed so read carefully
** Please use Spoiler Tags to hide spoiler comments!!

[Trisha]

10 chapters

(view spoiler)[ it's hard to not cringe while I read. the shots. . .the young girls getting them. Her thinking she can "save" them.

but I like the story so far. I'm completely pulled in! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

20 chapters

(view spoiler)[ OMG. on children. they are just little girls
how could they do that?

it's frightening how much control these people had. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

30 chapters

(view spoiler)[ I'm glad they've filed suit but I'm still really worried how this is going to pan out.

where are both girls? I think we only keep hering about one.
and Alicia said she just left afterwards and didn't talk to anyone. ugh, something sad must be coming up (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

37 chapters / stopped at Part 3

(view spoiler)[ I'm glad she's taking a step back. she should let them live their life and stop thinking she knows the best way for them

I'm so sad they will never get $$ for damages

I'm glad she got to talk to the daughter. that was unresolved for Civil for sure (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

and I'm done

(view spoiler)[ I love that we found out about the adoption and who she's writing this to

I love that the two sisters are together at the end, when she visits

love that she's reconnecting with Ty
but I also love that Mace and the family moved away. Civil entered their life as someone from the government that ultimately hurt them. it's good to let them move on and try to recover (hide spoiler)]

this was such a good story! Hard but very good!

[Michelle]

I absolutely loved this book. I had no idea this was done to people and and it appears still being done. When I finished the book I felt I needed to talk about this with anyone who would listen.