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lianne_rooney's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Cancer, Racism, and Medical content
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Death of parent
emilywoodsmall23's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, and Rape
savaha's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape and Violence
cdoubet's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
nicoleslaw's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, and Murder
kayjayelle's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
amcghig's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
sidekicksam's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, learning about medical practices in the fifties (and their very unethical conduct), the advancement of science thanks to nameless and uninformed 'donors,' and the life of a woman made immortal by her cancer-cells. Instead of reading as a boring non-fiction novel, Skloot's decision to involve the quest for the truth she went on (mainly with Deborah/Dale) made it so much more heartwarming to read.
I consider this to be essential reading for everyone working in medicine/pharma and have a good hard look at the ethics of the use of cells without informed consent. I'd recommend this book to anyone.
Easy 5 stars!
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy
creationwing's review against another edition
4.25
There were moments when the book seemed a little too voyeuristic for my taste; I'm not sure that all the details included were necessary for me to learn about this historic figure, her family's struggles, and have understanding of the suffering and unjustice.
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, and Suicide attempt
There are detailed descriptions of the autopsies ofacademicanko's review against another edition
5.0
This books opens the conversation to consent and much more. What does research allow and does my autonomous rights cover cells? Now technology is advanced enough to understand DNA. Is it really okay to have my DNA abused in ways I have no control? Who should get compensation? Hasn't commercialization of pharmaceuticals hindered science more than helped it? America has always had a horrible situation when it comes to health care and insurance. It is one of the reasons I live abroad.
When doing more research on this book, I have noticed that many criticize the author for her way of approaching the family. I later learned that this book has challenged to be banned from some states. I have also found that the remaining family did not like the way the family was portrayed in the book. I like to believe that the author had gotten the consent of Deborah when planning this book and that the things she included were important to her as a descendent of Henrietta. I like to think and I really hope that the authors intentions were true. I think this story is very important and one that must be more widely known.
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Mental illness