Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
After reading a few other reviews, I would agree there are a few issues with this book. That having been said, I found it compelling (its an interesting subject), sad (her family really got the short end of the stick), disgusting (its hard to believe the things they used to do/how they used to treat people in the name of medicine), and worth my time to read.I can't get past the feeling that there is still something that should be done to compensate the Lacks family for the injustice/deception that was done to them, but I doubt that will ever happen.I do have to say, I think Henrietta Lacks will be richly rewarded (in Heaven) for the inestimable contribution (although she didn't know she was contributing) she made to the medical community, and the countless people who have benefited from the research done on her cells. That includes myself and my family, all recipients of the Polio Vaccine. Could this book have been written differently/better? Maybe. But at least it was written, and Henrietta's story is out there, and hopefully another family will not have to suffer the injustices because it was told. This book surprisingly met all my expectations. And it is the kind of book that would please a law, history, or science buff. It has wide appeal. At one point I found myself tearing up at one of Ms. Skloot and Deborah's discoveries partially because Ms. Skloot, through relating her own personal involvement, helps to hook my heart too in the lives of this family. And I hope desperately that Henrietta's human descendants enjoy greater success in future years.
What do You think about Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks (2010)?
Such a good book, incredible story, well-written, so engrossing I breezed through it in 4 days.
—Athira
So well written, interesting, etc etc etc. Deserves all the hype.
—georgio1599
