Rating: 5 out of 5

This book was mentioned by an audience member at a talk given by Adam Rutherford at the Lighthouse Arts monthly talk in early February. His talk had been about creation, and DNA/genetics. And during the Q & A section someone piped up and mentioned this book. I made a note of the title, looked it up and downloaded a kindle sample. And was hooked.

I didn’t know anything about the story of Henrietta Lacks, about how her cells came to be in use all over the world. And I certainly didn’t know anything about her family. I found the book to be written very accessibly, my lack of formal scientific knowledge didn’t prevent me from learning, and understanding the story. It is probably best described as part biography, part science history. It doesn’t go into huge scientific detail - and that suited me well - but it did raise some interesting ethics and morals points.

All in all, a good book, interesting in subject, well researched and written and the focus on the impact on her children puts a different dimension on it. It didn’t feel like reading a science book. And that’s a good thing.

Originally posted to my Goodreads account