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bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
The timing of reading this book was kind of a bad coincidence. Reading about crimes committed against children as the news was breaking out of Texas made this extra difficult reading.
Then again, this book is timely, regardless. Though the central event that shapes the lives of the characters takes place in 1973, what happens to the girls is still happening to this day, which is beyond all comprehension. It just shows how little grappling with the past America has done, and how much work remains, something current events in this country make all too obvious.
This is a deeply human tale, and I felt a great deal of empathy for all the characters concerned, and I hope it goes without saying that the bulk of my sympathy was with the girls for the crimes committed against them. I also felt a great deal of empathy for Civil. I can understand how the need to feel as though you have the power to change injustice can drive you to the point where it begins to take over your life. The conflict she felt between living her life for herself and serving a higher purpose is one that's extremely relatable, but I know that, as a white person, that experience is different for me. I can live my life without having to worry about all the hate and racism that people of color deal with every day, and though I also want to see equality and justice prevail, those notions means something entirely different for someone like me, who comes from a position of power and privilege. This is why I think it's especially important for me to read books like this because I need to look at the inequalities marginalized people face, I need to process my role in propping up the structures that lead to this marginalization, and I need to figure out what needs to be done to prevent these kinds of atrocities from continuing to occur. The work of fixing society falls on those who created the problems, not those who face myriad forms of oppression because of the problems.
I also want to say that I found the dehumanization of not only India and Erica but of all the Black characters in this novel hard to take. It's dismaying to realize that humans continue to dehumanize others in order to justify all kinds of atrocities even though we should know by now the cost of those actions. We need to understand that we can't just write the past off as being the past because trauma affects people generations down the line. Moreover, insisting that the past remain in the past is an intentional form of blindness, one that gives people permission to refuse to acknowledge past atrocities as well as an excuse to continue to support the status quo.
This novel will stick with me for a long time, and that's a good thing.
The timing of reading this book was kind of a bad coincidence. Reading about crimes committed against children as the news was breaking out of Texas made this extra difficult reading.
Then again, this book is timely, regardless. Though the central event that shapes the lives of the characters takes place in 1973, what happens to the girls is still happening to this day, which is beyond all comprehension. It just shows how little grappling with the past America has done, and how much work remains, something current events in this country make all too obvious.
This is a deeply human tale, and I felt a great deal of empathy for all the characters concerned, and I hope it goes without saying that the bulk of my sympathy was with the girls for the crimes committed against them. I also felt a great deal of empathy for Civil. I can understand how the need to feel as though you have the power to change injustice can drive you to the point where it begins to take over your life. The conflict she felt between living her life for herself and serving a higher purpose is one that's extremely relatable, but I know that, as a white person, that experience is different for me. I can live my life without having to worry about all the hate and racism that people of color deal with every day, and though I also want to see equality and justice prevail, those notions means something entirely different for someone like me, who comes from a position of power and privilege. This is why I think it's especially important for me to read books like this because I need to look at the inequalities marginalized people face, I need to process my role in propping up the structures that lead to this marginalization, and I need to figure out what needs to be done to prevent these kinds of atrocities from continuing to occur. The work of fixing society falls on those who created the problems, not those who face myriad forms of oppression because of the problems.
I also want to say that I found the dehumanization of not only India and Erica but of all the Black characters in this novel hard to take. It's dismaying to realize that humans continue to dehumanize others in order to justify all kinds of atrocities even though we should know by now the cost of those actions. We need to understand that we can't just write the past off as being the past because trauma affects people generations down the line. Moreover, insisting that the past remain in the past is an intentional form of blindness, one that gives people permission to refuse to acknowledge past atrocities as well as an excuse to continue to support the status quo.
This novel will stick with me for a long time, and that's a good thing.
allieeilla's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
natgsmith's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ltho483's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
ethanmcbride's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
goodreadswithgammy's review
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
BRILLIANT!! What a beautifully written and heartbreaking story about the devastating practice of forced sterilization and reproductive injustices. This is loosely inspired by an actual court case in 1973 Montgomery, Alabama. Take My Hand was a horrifying, tough read and I had a constant flow of tears running down my face. I am appalled by the atrocities that the young girls and women had to endure. It is NOT okay!
With that being said, it is a powerful book that is thought provoking and demands justice. The author does an amazing job exposing this dark time in American history. Honestly, I could not put the book down. Easily one of my favorite books this year and deserve ALL the stars!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ohemgee's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
sierrabonney1995's review
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0