Wednesday, January 19, 2011
[Book Review] THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot
Nonfiction/BiographyKaren reviews THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot (Crown, 2010)
This non-fiction offering, written by Rebecca Skloot, tells of the origin of the famous HeLa cells which were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the effects of the atom bomb; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions.
The recounting of Mrs. Lacks childhood, years as a wife and mother, is packed with stories of living as a Southern tobacco farmer, being sent to live with other family members, "kissin'” cousins, incest, the ordeal of cancer, etc.
Readers will find this a most interesting read.
Karen Hall, North Branch
Labels: Biography, Nonfiction, Reviews by Karen Hall
