Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

118 reviews

mels_reading_log's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

This book tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, a black woman who had her cells taken when she went into Johns Hopkins Hospital for cancer treatment. The cells which were taken without her consent were then sold and distributed around the world for medical research and are still used today. The fact that this story is real is so troubling. The way the medical community has taken advantage of poor, black and handicapped people in the name of medical advancement is atrocious and it makes perfect sense that many do not trust doctors because of this. 

I did like the way the book was written like a podcast, where we went along with the author to do research and meet with the family members. This keeps the information accessible and easier to understand than dense science talk. I believe this information should be required knowledge in this country, so people, especially the non black can know the depths of racism that exist and understand that this was less than 100 years ago.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, Alcohol, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Incest, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Classism, Death, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Cancer, Chronic illness, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Terminal illness

Minor: Suicide

geekmom's review against another edition

4.5

This is a compulsively readable nonfiction book - it reads like a novel, or a thriller. It is deeply disquieting and uncovers some stark and unpleasant realities about American society. The author's respect for the family of Henrietta Lacks and her desire to tell their story in accordance with their wishes is obvious throughout the book and really does her credit - she sets an example that I would love to see more nonfiction writers follow. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Racism

muppetymelody's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective sad

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma and Medical content

Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Ableism, Addiction, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Cancer, Confinement, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Pedophilia, and Racism

hayreading's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.75

A good and informative book. Not my usual read, but very well written. Points off for slow pacing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child death, Cancer, Medical trauma, Slavery, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Addiction, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Infidelity, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Sexual harassment, Death, Murder, Mental illness, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Drug abuse, Confinement, Chronic illness, and Adult/minor relationship

elenit96's review against another edition

challenging informative fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer

alexklinect's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative medium-paced

4.25

A fascinating look at the intersection of scientific research and African American history, specifically focusing on the repercussions of one woman’s life and death and immortal cells. I loved the juxtaposition of the supernatural with the natural and the examination of the sanctity of life — there could have been more on these topics. The legality of tissue collection and research was discussed at length, and rightly so, but it was definitely long. The audiobook (very well done!) comes in at almost 13 hours. The tender moment between Kristoff, Deborah, and Zachariah in the lab was the highlight of the book, in my opinion. One or two brief instances of language and some violence mentioned, plus lots of medical procedures and details. 
4-4.5 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Cancer

Moderate: Racism and Violence

Minor: Cursing

rozencrantz's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer

ejthephoenix's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! I’m so happy that Henrietta and her family have finally gotten some recognition after all this time and get to tell their story. I’m also really glad that this book is being included in my class at our school. I would definitely recommend reading this book no matter what you like to read! :) Non-fiction, fiction, science, theories, biographies, realistic fiction, and even non realistic fiction lovers will love this book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Mental illness

Moderate: Drug use, Incest, Murder, Pregnancy, Slavery, Racism, Rape, Cursing, and Sexual assault

Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Outing, and Blood

hanlov's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Classism, Cancer, Death, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Racism

danileah07's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Medical trauma, Cancer, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Grief and Racism

Minor: Incest and Medical content