71 pages • 2 hours read
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
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Book Brief
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2010381
Biography • Nonfiction
Baltimore, Maryland • 1950s
2010
Adult
15-18 years
Super Short Summary
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black American woman whose cancer cells, taken without her consent in 1951, became the first immortal human cell line known as HeLa, contributing to significant medical advances such as the polio vaccine. The book explores the impact on her family and examines scientific ethics, racism, and poverty. The book includes discussions about medical exploitation and systemic racism.
Informative
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
782,656 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is widely praised for its compelling narrative and detailed exploration of ethical issues in medical research. Readers commend the book's emotional depth and historical significance. However, some critics feel that the book occasionally dwells too long on tangential details, slightly detracting from its core focus.
Who Should Read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?
A reader who enjoys The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is likely fascinated by medical ethics, scientific history, and personal narratives. Comparable to readers of The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee and Bad Blood by John Carreyrou, they seek to understand complex human stories behind scientific breakthroughs.
782,656 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Deborah Lacks
Deborah Lacks
Henrietta's younger daughter, who tirelessly sought to learn about her mother's life and advocate for her story, despite experiencing family pressure and personal struggles.
David "Day" Lacks
David "Day" Lacks
Henrietta's husband and first cousin, who provided for his family but had a complicated and sometimes absent relationship with them.
Lawrence Lacks
Lawrence Lacks
Henrietta's eldest son, who assumed a caretaker role for his younger siblings following her death and later raised them with his wife, Bobbette.
Bobbette Lacks
Bobbette Lacks
Lawrence's wife, known for her strong, protective nature, who rescued Henrietta's younger children from abuse and encouraged them to seek education and independence.
381
Biography • Nonfiction
Baltimore, Maryland • 1950s
2010
Adult
15-18 years
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