Take My Hand: The inspiring and unforgettable new novel from the New York Times bestseller

Review An impressive arrival . . . This is a book about choice, freedom and forgiveness, that pulls threads of history together, and in doing so, catapults its ideas forward . . . As with all good historical fiction, Take My Hand speaks to the now' ― Irish Times Extraordinary and powerful . . . a must-read ― Prima Compelling . . . A gut-punch of a book, heartrending and suspenseful in turn ― Irish Examiner An utterly gripping tale from start to finish, Take My Hand is storytelling at its finest. -- The top 30 books that everyone will be reading in 2022 ― Glamour UK Delicate and poetic, Dolen manages to fuse beauty and tragedy in her work, which makes her a masterful storyteller and gifted writer. In this story, Dolen speaks eloquently for those who, in being denied the right of having a choice and agency over their bodies, have lost their voice. This haunting tale, captured through the lens of an unforgettable narrator and a cast of memorable characters, will stay with you for a very, very long time ― Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of Here Comes the Sun When you know Dolan Perkins-Valdez is writing a book, you know that it is going to be a spectacular thing. And that is the case with Take My Hand. Conveyed as softly as a familial conversation, this is a work that makes difficult things endurable. Perkins-Valdez relays untold pain honestly, astutely, but most of all, gently, like a sage would. That is another way of saying that she crafts this book with great truth and wisdom. As a result, Take My Hand is the kind of rare, elevating, illuminating, useful art that we would all do well to grasp for dear life. ― Robert Jones, Jr., New York Times bestselling author of The Prophets "A year never passes without me thinking of them. India. Erica. Their names are stitched inside every white coat I have ever worn. I tell this story to stitch their names inside your clothes, too." From this devastating (and soon-to-be classic) opening line comes a story that's based on real-life events exploring the horrifying link between racism and medical ethics. Also shot through with spirit and hope, it's one hell of a book ― Stylist, The fiction books you can’t miss in 2022 In her newest novel, Dolen Perkins-Valdez probes the many ways institutional racism and classism inflicts lasting scars, especially on young Black women - and the grace, courage, and love needed to begin to heal those wounds. Deeply empathetic yet unflinching in its gaze, Take My Hand is an unforgettable exploration of responsibility and redemption, the dangers of good intentions, and the folly of believing anyone can decide what's best for another's life ― Celeste Ng, bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere A wonderful novel. Moving, powerful and completely absorbing - I cared deeply about all the characters and rooted for them to the last page ― Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of The Last Act of Love Inspired by a real life case, this is the story of two sisters aged 12 and 14 who were sterilised without consent in Alabama in 1973, a case that shed light on a shocking chapter in American history ― Good Housekeeping, The books we're looking forward to in 2022 The magnificent Take My Hand shines a light on a hideous, historically accurate form of government-endorsed racism directed at both young Black women and the disabled, skilfully balancing the horror of people who think they know best against a Black nurse named Civil Townsend who knows better. It is Civil's determination and resilience that imbue the book with undeniable power and grace. I cheered out loud! ― Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry A deeply moving novel about a reprehensible time, Dolen Perkins-Valdez writes with such shattering eloquence that Take My Hand is impossible to put down. I have absolutely no doubt that this is a story that will stay with me for a very long time ― AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird Arresting, horrifying, heartbreaking and utterly immersive. It will make you want