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jennbliven's review against another edition
5.0
A great deal of care and research went into this book and it is truly an amazing story. Bravo to Rebecca Skloot for not giving up and for telling a story that everyone should know.
tessrc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
4.5
I imagine this was a very difficult book to write. Skloot takes on the scientific background of cell culture, the legality of bodily ownership, the complex and longstanding racism of the medical system, and the twisting storylines of one family - all at once, and tries to make the whole thing hold water. It’s amazing that she almost always does. I learned so much about each one of the above things and was always eager to hear what happened next, and then dissatisfied by the ending (which I will not spoil). I’m not usually someone who gobbles up nonfiction, but this was a page-turner even as it was thoughtful and informative. Job well done.
dallusiona's review against another edition
5.0
This is an absolute must read book. Shocking an utterly astounding information about medical research and it's development throughout the years. The amazing story of a woman's Immortal cells and all their contributions to medicine. With a family completely unaware any of this went on, and searching for answers.
Great book, loved it.
Great book, loved it.
honeycoveredpages's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
sarahfrombookinterrupted's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
It wasn’t what I expected. I thought this non-fiction science book would be dry and kinda boring, it was neither. It was an amazing book that went back and forth between the story of Henrietta Lacks, the science behind HeLa and the Lacks family. It was an amazing story. I read the first 100 pages the first day as if it was a thrilling fiction book, but it’s real. There was so much upsetting and incredible about this story; an important read for all. Everyone needs to know who Henrietta Lacks is, because she has and continues affected us all. Listen to full podcast episode here: https://www.bookinterrupted.com/episodes-podcast/episode/4ea2d695/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks-episode
ohemgee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
bantwalkers's review against another edition
5.0
I've been meaning to post on this for awhile.
Basically, I was instantly drawn in. Some people may not like Skloot inserting herself in the story. However, I found it absolutely necessary, and it added a human element to a story filled with science and medical ethics that could have been pretty heavy otherwise.
READ IT!
Basically, I was instantly drawn in. Some people may not like Skloot inserting herself in the story. However, I found it absolutely necessary, and it added a human element to a story filled with science and medical ethics that could have been pretty heavy otherwise.
READ IT!
kevvy's review against another edition
1.0
I had to read this for my English class which probably added to the reason i didn’t like it. I hate having to read for an assignment it makes me not want to read and enjoy it.