The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

by Rebecca Skloot
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Biography and Memoir
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 138
  • Added: 2025-09-03
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9780230748699
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2010-01-01
  • Formats: 70
  • Reviews: 4

Henrietta Lacks, a poor black tobacco farmer, unwittingly became one of the most important figures in medical history. Her cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her consent and have been used in countless scientific breakthroughs. This book explores the ethical implications of her story and the impact of her cells on modern medicine. It also delves into the life of Henrietta Lacks, her family, and the legacy that continues to shape medical research today.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-09-18
exceptional 4.50

This book is an exceptional read, seamlessly blending the story of the HeLa cells with the personal journey of the Lacks family. It is highly recommended for its compelling narrative and profound impact.

The reviewer on Goodreads describes The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks as an all-gold ten-star read, highlighting its dual narrative structure that masterfully combines the scientific story of the HeLa cells with the personal story of the Lacks family. The reviewer particularly appreciates the journalist's ability to weave these two stories together, creating a rich and engaging tapestry that is both informative and emotionally resonant. The book is praised for its depth, its ability to humanize a complex scientific issue, and its overall impact on the reader.

Quick quotes

    It's actually two stories, the story of the HeLa cells and the story of the Lacks family

    It's an all-gold ten-star read

    Told by a journalist who writes the book like a novel

University College Oxford · 2025-09-03
insightful 4.50

The book is praised for being a compelling and essential read that combines memoir with science, offering deep insight into the medical and ethical issues behind Henrietta Lacks's legacy.

This review highlights the book as a vital and fascinating read, especially for those interested in medical ethics and history. The reviewer wishes they had read it earlier in medical school, emphasizing how the book enriches understanding of the human stories behind scientific advances. It portrays the story not just as scientific discovery but also as a profound human narrative that challenges readers to consider the ethical implications of medical research and the impact of race and class.

Quick quotes

    The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a book I wish I had read long ago.

    It is a fascinating mix of memoir and science.

    Telling the story of how one woman's cells have saved countless lives.

Lancaster University · Thora Paul · 2020-06-26
moving 4.25

The book is appreciated for its emotional depth and educational value, illustrating the unity within the Lacks family and the broader implications about race and ethics in medicine.

Thora Paul found reading this book to be an amazing experience, noting how it illuminates the challenges faced by the Lacks family and the scientific community's exploitation of Henrietta's cells. The review underscores the emotional journey of the family, particularly Deborah, and highlights the book's importance in understanding historical and ongoing racial injustices in medical research. It is described as emotive and hard going but incredibly important for grasping how trust in medicine has been shaped by these events.

Quick quotes

    Reading 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' was an amazing experience.

    It allowed me to learn about unity within the Lacks family.

    The book is emotive and hard going, but it is incredibly important.

Julia's Books · 2020-03-30
powerful 4.25

The book is a powerful and poignant exploration of a significant but often overlooked figure in medical history. It is highly recommended for its emotional depth and historical importance.

Julia's Books review highlights the powerful and poignant nature of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, emphasizing the book's exploration of the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks, a black woman whose cells have been instrumental in medical research. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to bring to light the ethical issues surrounding the use of Henrietta's cells without her consent, as well as its portrayal of the Lacks family's journey. The book is praised for its emotional depth, its historical significance, and its ability to humanize a complex scientific issue. The reviewer highly recommends it for its profound impact and its contribution to the ongoing conversation about medical ethics.

Quick quotes

    The incredible story of Henrietta Lacks

    A black woman, mother of five from Virginia

    Who died in 1951 at the age of thirty-one from an aggressive form of cervical cancer

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