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lalu's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
5.0
This is not just a science book, it's also a biography of HeLa cells, Henrietta Lacks, her family, scientists, and Rebecca Skloot herself. A story full of emotion, information, and humanity. And it's also wonderfully written, I think I've never been this hooked by a nonfiction book!
smilingpumpkins_7's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
jobustitch's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly cannot stop thinking about this book or the Lacks family. I spent all weekend with it because I couldn't put the book down. I am fascinated that not much has changed since 1951 with the legality of abandoned tissue. Sure, now there is informed consent, but what exactly does that mean?
I think while the science of the book is great, the heart of the book is the Lacks family. Henrietta's children are more interesting to me than the science. I became interested in the same questions they were asking. What Henrietta's favorite color? How much pain did she suffer? Why did no one tell them what was happening with her tissue? If she saved so many lives through her donation, why couldn't her children get access to health care?
Ms. Skloot has written a powerful book and I cannot stop thinking about Henrietta and the children and grandchildren that she left behind. Everyone should read this book.
I think while the science of the book is great, the heart of the book is the Lacks family. Henrietta's children are more interesting to me than the science. I became interested in the same questions they were asking. What Henrietta's favorite color? How much pain did she suffer? Why did no one tell them what was happening with her tissue? If she saved so many lives through her donation, why couldn't her children get access to health care?
Ms. Skloot has written a powerful book and I cannot stop thinking about Henrietta and the children and grandchildren that she left behind. Everyone should read this book.
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a disturbing, tragic, and devastating book. But it's also awe-inspiring to think of all the ways Henrietta Lacks's cells have changed science and had a profound effect on millions.
bookishbrighton's review
4.0
My main takeaway from this book is that it is absolutely criminal that not everybody in the world knows the name Henrietta Lacks. The book is split into two parts - first half of the book is the story of Henrietta’s life whereas part 2 is more about after her death and contained more interviews, science, etc… I therefore found part 1 far easier to read and generally more enjoyable; absolutely granted that it isn’t necessarily going to be an ‘enjoyable’ read given the topic, but just reporting on my experience of reading this book - it did start to lose me in part 2 and it felt like a chore to read. Regardless of this, I do think everyone should read this book from an educational perspective, hence the 4 star rating - and had part 2 been written in the same style as part 1 I probably would have given it 5 stars.
reading_is_my_hobby's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been meaning to read this one for awhile, and it wasn’t quite what I expected. There is a bit of science, but also a lot of history, race and Southern culture, and story of the life of Henrietta’s children and the author’s (Rebecca Skloot) experiences with them. It discusses the history of informed consent, Black Southerners and healthcare research, and the issue of what happens to our tissue after it is tested/removed/etc. Would recommend, particularly if you can read it while also reading something lighter. #theimmortallifeofhenriettalacks