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What Members Thought
I would say this wasn't what I expected, but I don't know what I expected.
That said, I don't know? Like, it was interesting and clearly written with the best of intent, but I wasn't clear on what the point was? And also, I don't know how I feel about the treatment of poor black speech? I listened, and there were two voices on the audiobook to do this, and I feel strongly about preserving speech and all, but also it felt a little bit like the author was pulling one over them? Maybe it's different ...more
That said, I don't know? Like, it was interesting and clearly written with the best of intent, but I wasn't clear on what the point was? And also, I don't know how I feel about the treatment of poor black speech? I listened, and there were two voices on the audiobook to do this, and I feel strongly about preserving speech and all, but also it felt a little bit like the author was pulling one over them? Maybe it's different ...more
What a wonderful combination of biography, science, and personal reflection. This book sheds light on the woman behind the first successful cell line, but does so through the lens of the author's struggle to track down that story. Henrietta Lacks is shown through the eyes of family and friends, through the stories of the doctors and researchers who used her as a stepping stone, and the impact she has made on all these people is truly fascinating. The author's personal investment in the story is
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I thought this was a very interesting look at the history of cell culturing and an easy introduction to the science of studying tissues. I thought that at times it seemed like she was writing things down to just fill space and it wasn't really relevant. The afterword was one of the better written chapters and really solidified the whole book- I wish she had written more like that rather than some of the tangents she had taken. There was a lot of room for a social justice/ medical ethics angle th
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I enjoyed this book immensely. I liked the scientific and medical information about cell research and particularly the HeLa line of cells. But, I also loved the depictions of Henrietta's family members and the interactions between them and the author. Skloot shows clearly the impact that poverty and a lack of education had on the Lacks family for several generations. This book is equally a medical AND social history. Very interesting read.
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When I first picked this book up, I was thoroughly intrigued and couldn't put it down. But I wasn't as into the book towards the end. I guess I was much more interested in the history and science behind the HeLa cell line than what was going on with Henrietta's daughter. I thought the book was great, but for me it lost steam towards the end.
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This was a true story, but it read as well as a fiction novel. I think it was more interesting because you knew it was true.
I really enjoyed this; the science is amazing but the social science aspects-poverty, racism, access to education, ethics, and great storytelling- is what makes this a great book. incredibly compelling! thanks World Book Night!
Nov 08, 2011
Heather Wescott
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
biography
May 08, 2012
anne
marked it as to-read
Nov 05, 2013
Maggie
marked it as to-read
Jan 11, 2015
Karlita
marked it as to-read
Apr 01, 2015
Kate McCartney
marked it as to-read
