Reviews tagging 'Medical content'

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

140 reviews

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

erinreadstoomuch's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative medium-paced

5.0

Incredibly heartbreaking and eye opening regarding the fact that the key to so much modern medicine is tied to a woman whose name is largely forgotten. Rebecca did an incredible job at portraying the real emotions and bringing true life to Henrietta, while also giving her family the respect and kindness they have been owed for so long. Henrietta’s name should be screamed from the roof tops. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, and Medical content

Moderate: Sexual assault and Medical trauma

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

Moderate: Racism and Violence

Minor: Cursing

smellymiche's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content

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

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

Minor: Suicide, Blood, Vomit, and Outing

alliejuve's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Death of parent

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Slavery

hanlov's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Racism

emblazedwords's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This book was so emotional and so well done. It was more than just a book on these immortal cells and how they were wrongly taken: it was also a history of the Lacks family themselves. Skloot gave us an intimate history on Henrietta as well as family, how her children were impacted by her death, and how they came to understand her legacy. 

I didn't realize until reading this book how new the concept of medical consent is. I also got more background history on Black people and their relationship with medicine, how it's hurt them and made them distrustful.

Definitely worth the hype!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Forced institutionalization

angela_iseli's review against another edition

emotional informative sad slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent

danileah07's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Racism and Grief

Minor: Incest and Medical content