Amazingly, I devoured this book in one day. It’d been on my reading list probably since 2010, and I wish I’d picked it up sooner!

The story of Henrietta Lacks will stay with me for a long time. Rebecca Skloot deftly narrates her story, the story of her daughter, and the story of her cells (HeLa) and while she does jump between time periods, this didn’t faze me at all. I loved the structure of the narrative, which moves smoothly from past events and show how they influenced the present. There is also a timeline showing you what year each chapter is set, which is included in the beginning of every chapter.

In addition to the narrative structure, I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I heard the book took 10 years to write, and I believe it, because the level of detail speaks to years of research and interviews. Skloot includes intimate details, including some very traumatic events for Henrietta and her daughter Deborah. Their stories are ultimately what matter most in this narrative. But Skloot never implies that HeLa cells are secondary to the story, and she gives examples of how they have furthered scientific research (too many to name). Without these advancements, medical science would surely be further behind.

But - the real story is how HeLa came to be, starting with the person behind the cells, how people with good intentions can sometimes take advantage of others, and how this can become systematic. Where do we draw the line when it comes to scientific research? It’s pretty messy with humans are involved.

4.5 stars. One of the best books I’ve read this year.