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snook2b's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
aduqu's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.25
This book taught me a lot, both about cells and about the history of Henrietta Lacks and her family.
The book alternates between recounting the Lacks' family history, the history of HeLa cell research, and the experiences the author had with the Lacks while working on the book.
Overall, a really interesting read that manages to shed light on a lot of complex issues. I think someone who works in science or medicine would probably get more out of it than I did!
The book alternates between recounting the Lacks' family history, the history of HeLa cell research, and the experiences the author had with the Lacks while working on the book.
Overall, a really interesting read that manages to shed light on a lot of complex issues. I think someone who works in science or medicine would probably get more out of it than I did!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Incest, Medical trauma, Death, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Racism, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
serenabereading's review against another edition
4.0
Heartbreaking. This will make you mad...and extremely sad. My heart goes out to the Lacks Family. Sickening what they did to Henrietta, Elsie and millions more. A black woman's cells are responsible for curing so many things yet her children couldn't afford to go to the doctor most times. Ugh.
spinningjenny's review
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This was fascinating and sad in a lot of ways. It is a good and interesting story and blends history, science, and future considerations well.
lemmyjoz's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
I am so glad I read this book! As a biology major in the early 2000s, I learned vaguely about HeLa cells, but never about the story behind them.
I love a good nonfiction book, and what I love even more is a nonfiction book that tells a great story! This book captures so many little details about Henrietta's family and everything they've experienced in the aftermath of learning about their mother's immortal cells.
I think Rebecca Skloot is a wonderful writer who really captured the humanity in this story. Her dedication to Henrietta's family and her patience over years of going back and forth with them while they navigated their very real fears of being taken advantage of is admirable. The fact that she hadn't sold this book while writing it and funded her decade of research herself shows that she genuinely cared about getting this story out. I think she did a wonderful job and I can see why this book has been so widely recognized.
I love a good nonfiction book, and what I love even more is a nonfiction book that tells a great story! This book captures so many little details about Henrietta's family and everything they've experienced in the aftermath of learning about their mother's immortal cells.
I think Rebecca Skloot is a wonderful writer who really captured the humanity in this story. Her dedication to Henrietta's family and her patience over years of going back and forth with them while they navigated their very real fears of being taken advantage of is admirable. The fact that she hadn't sold this book while writing it and funded her decade of research herself shows that she genuinely cared about getting this story out. I think she did a wonderful job and I can see why this book has been so widely recognized.