Books I Want To Talk About discussion

Please discuss The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks here.

I am almost finished this book. Right now I am shocked with how complacent the family is about the eithical treatment of Henrietta Lacks.

Has anyone else read this book? Thoughts?

It is not often I choose to read a non-fiction type book (unless it is on a class reading list) but this particular book reads as though it were fiction. Along with this the author/researcher does her best to maintain the language of the people she interveiwed so that the readee feels as though they are working on the reasearch with her.

I would suggest The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Erin E wrote: "I am almost finished this book. Right now I am shocked with how complacent the family is about the eithical treatment of Henrietta Lacks.

Has anyone else read this book? Thoughts?"

I've heard this mentioned. Can you give some examples? This is on my need to read soon list (that neverending tbr list!).

Meghan, it's been a while since I have read this book, but the main theme that I kept seeing was that they firmly beleived that it was "God's will" and this seemed to make them complacent in that it was okay that Henrietta's cells were taken and used, without asking.

It's a great read non-the-less.

Ah, okay. The bits and pieces I've heard people talking is so incredible sounding. I guess we take it for granted that people won't take advantage of situations but then you read a story like this.

I read this book and it was excellent. It provides a great ethical discussion about who owns one's cells. The Lacks family is interesting in their own right, too. Interesting book all around.

I've only heard good things about it. Aren't they making a movie of it now? (Yes, I know. Pretty much all books have a movie contract...)

I going to be starting this book soon. It is a selection for a book group I am in.