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carissa230's review against another edition
5.0
I appreciate that the author spoke to the family and gathered the family history and the impact that this has had on their lives. The fact that the family was treated as a afterthought or not at all is sad. Reading the book made me so sad for the family and furious over the way the cells were handled. The family had the right to decide if they wanted to participate and to be paid for their contribution. However, imagine if the family refused. Where would Science be today? Would they have found another cell to use? Would it have been successful? It makes me uncomfortable thinking about what I would do if I was in the Scientist position at the time.
Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
graceburke's review against another edition
5.0
The story of Henrietta and her family is complex, Deborah would be one of the first people to admit such. It's hard and harrowing. The duality of distrust for the abuse their family endured and the recognition that it was Lacks' cells that allowed for the saving of millions of lives and counting globally is not lost on them.
I gasped, cried, and laughed. Deborah and Skloot's relationship is something I will be thinking about for a long time. I'm so grateful the Lacks' story has finally been shared.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Racism, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
grboph's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Minor: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Antisemitism, and Pregnancy
rumay's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Violence, and Vomit
hubes's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Cancer, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Grief
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
librarymouse's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Classism
franklola's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Pregnancy
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