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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
dar101's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Medical trauma
hshinn21's review against another edition
5.0
But you should know: this book might be difficult to read. It was for me at some points. It talks frankly, but not grotesquely, of many terrible things: and this is part of what makes it so important. I started listing content warnings below and the list looks a little bit overwhelming at first glance. So know your limits, and be prepared.
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
kennedybullen's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Incest, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Suicide
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 ofudari's review
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying and Suicide
elizabethgreads's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Dementia, and Abandonment
julia_ham23's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
becca_w_'s review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Self harm, Vomit, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Infertility, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Excrement, and Car accident
coreyarch9's review against another edition
4.0
I recently reread The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks since it's my book club's pick for this month.
My life has changed a lot since I first read the book a few years ago and, as such, a few things hit differently this time around. For one, Henrietta was 31 when she died. Now in my thirties, myself, this detail stood out so much more. Additionally, I've since benefitted greatly from the lifesaving diagnostic testing that her cells specifically helped develop. Throughout the book, I couldn't help but reflect on some of my own health challenges from the past year, which at times were triggering.
Just as during my previous read, I often went straight to Wikipedia to learn more. Specifically, as I was looking up historical information on John Hopkins, I got the clearest sense of deja vu, a confirmation that similar details and curiosities stood out to me both times.
I'm am looking forward to my book club's discussion later this month. If you've read this book, then you understand the hodgepodge of thoughts and reactions that I'm currently experiencing.
•••
My original review:
This book had been on my list since I first heard about it on NPR and WOW DID I LEARN A LOT. I found myself scouring through Wikipedia pages more than a few times over the course of reading. My only criticism is that sometimes the author gets caught up in describing her process for investigating Henrietta Lacks and forgets to progress the story. This book is for anybody who enjoys ethical debates, cares about social issues, and enjoys medical dramas/family dramas/ literally any type of drama.
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Racism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Murder