Scan barcode
caitsidhe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
sad and enraging, but nuanced. The contrast between the poverty in which Henrietta's family still live, unable to afford medical care, and how much some of the labs manufacturing her cells are making is appalling.
On balance, I am glad that Henriettas cells were taken and have saved probably millions of lives by now. I just think she and her family deserved better and more respect.
On balance, I am glad that Henriettas cells were taken and have saved probably millions of lives by now. I just think she and her family deserved better and more respect.
skrrtvonnegut's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
The entire story is incredibly interesting, and the science that is delved into throughout that Henrietta Lacks's cells were able to help advance are remarkable. However, the back third of this book, where Henrietta's family, particularly Deborah, finally agree to speak to Rebecca Skloot, becomes remarkably good. She does a great job telling science's side of the story while interesting the shady ethics of it all, to the point where you really care about the family by the time they become actual characters here. So, the chapter where they get to see the HeLa cells divide under a microscope and talk about how meaningful it is to them is breathtakingly beautiful. You really feel the pain of Deborah in the subsequent days as she learns of her sister Elsie's horrible fate, and ultimately feel for Skloot herself as you know the bonds she shared in this journey were profound. I went in expecting a good "pop science" book, but it was the "human element," as is so often talked about throughout, that will stay with me long after.
llamalluv's review against another edition
5.0
Popsugar 2022: 30) A book with the name of a board game in the title (Life)
Equal parts inspiring and horrifying. Humans are just absolutely monstrous to one another in the name of science.
Equal parts inspiring and horrifying. Humans are just absolutely monstrous to one another in the name of science.
kdawn999's review against another edition
4.0
An important story to remind scientists and genetic researches about the humans behind the tissue samples. The story follows twists and turns—the journalist herself becoming part of the narrative as she interviews the traumatized Lacks descendants. The human stories at the heart of this are strong and tragic by turns. I appreciate how the ending of the book asks readers to question the laws currently in place that allow medical corporations huge amounts of power to restrict and patent their research while claiming human tissue “donors” should not expect any compensation that would hamper the progress of science. A compelling read at every turn of the story.
bdaigneault's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Ableism, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders