The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- 12 hrs 30 min
- Audible Best of 2010
- Rated 4.6 ★ on Audible
Peter’s Verdict
A fascinating true story about science, race, class and ethics, told with care. Cassandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin are both exceptional, and it’s one of my favorite listens.
HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine, uncovered secrets of cancer, helped lead to advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning and gene mapping, and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks, the woman they came from, remained virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave.
Rebecca Skloot spent 10 years finding out the true story. The book weaves together three threads: a biography of Henrietta and her family, the author’s own research (including her dealings with Henrietta’s family), and the scientific progress HeLa made possible.
Cassandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin, both narrators of the hugely popular The Help, are exceptional here. The science is clearly explained for the layman, and the story of Henrietta and her family is handled with care and understanding.
This book will inspire you, break your heart, and teach you.
Audible chose it as one of the best audiobooks of 2010, and I agree. Do yourself a favor and get this audiobook.
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Listen if…
- You like true stories that connect science to real people
- You want nonfiction that’s explained clearly, with no science background needed
- You enjoy a book that raises questions about race, class and medical ethics
Skip it if…
- You want a light listen: parts of the story are heartbreaking
- You prefer a straight science book: a good part of this is the family’s story
Where to listen to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Audible has the two-narrator recording.
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