Book Review #101: “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”

My across-the-street neighbor let me borrow her copy! I’ve wanted to read this book for years. I’d heard the news reports and articles about Henrietta and her family’s fight over her cells. But this book went so in depth. I’m glad I read it.

I learned that Henrietta and her family had roots in Clover, Virginia, which is very close to where my in-laws currently live! What a small world!

If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend you do so. It’s a “typical” non-fiction book, where it can be dry and a bit boring, but author Rebecca Skloot successfully mixes science and Henrietta’s life. I learned so much about Henrietta, her family, and how the scientific community betrayed them all. And her story is not an isolated one, either. It’s an impressive book about the debate on medical ethics, along with our rights regarding our bodies, tissues, cells, and body parts.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

6 thoughts on “Book Review #101: “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”

  1. I feel like I’ve kept meaning to put this on my list and I keep forgetting too >.<

  2. I have added this to my list! I am not sure when I will get to it, but I am intrigued and would love to learn more about Henrietta. Also, I love science. Thanks for sharing the review!

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