The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By: Rebecca Skloot

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Bahni Turpin

Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one New York Times best seller.

Now a major motion picture from HBO® starring Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne.

One of the “most influential” (CNN), “defining” (Lit Hub), and “best” (The Philadelphia Inquirer) books of the decade.

One of essence’s 50 most impactful Black books of the past 50 years.

Named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review, Entertainment Weekly, O: The Oprah Magazine, NPR, Financial Times, New York, Independent (UK), Times (UK), Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Globe, and Mail.

Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells - taken without her knowledge - became one of the most important tools in medicine: The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, which are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than 60 years. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave.

Henrietta’s family did not learn of her “immortality” until more than 20 years after her death, when scientists investigating HeLa began using her husband and children in research without informed consent. And though the cells had launched a multimillion-dollar industry that sells human biological materials, her family never saw any of the profits. As Rebecca Skloot so brilliantly shows, the story of the Lacks family - past and present - is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we are made of.

Over the decade it took to uncover this story, Rebecca became enmeshed in the lives of the Lacks family - especially Henrietta’s daughter Deborah. Deborah was consumed with questions: Had scientists cloned her mother? Had they killed her to harvest her cells? And if her mother was so important to medicine, why couldn’t her children afford health insurance? Intimate in feeling, astonishing in scope, and impossible to put down, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, as well as its human consequences.

©2010 Rebecca Skloot (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

Winner of The Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for nonfiction

"The story of modern medicine and bioethics - and, indeed, race relations - is refracted beautifully, and movingly.” (Entertainment Weekly)

"Writing with a novelist's artistry, a biologist's expertise, and the zeal of an investigative reporter, Skloot tells a truly astonishing story of racism and poverty, science and conscience, spirituality and family driven by a galvanizing inquiry into the sanctity of the body and the very nature of the life force." (

Booklist)

wonderful story, informative, a classic must read.

I loved the way the narrator was able to capture the personality of each character and bring the story to life even the more! I'm going to share this book with everyone I come in contact with.

Disturbing and awe inspiring at the same time

A very disturbing story on so many levels but one that needs to be told so that society can engage with these issues.

Captivating history that impacts all of humanity

You don't have polio because of Henrietta Lacks. Her history is all of our history, and I'm grateful to the author for her dedication to documenting this story. And beyond the impact on medicine, you get a deep look into American history of racism and segregation to better understand how we got to where we are today.

This is simply an amazing story, well-written and well-narrated. Five stars.

Best book I have read in a long time!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it is a book for all.

Any additional comments?

I love a book that can make me laugh and cry, and sometimes at the same time. I really had no idea what this book was about and chose it because of the high number of good reviews. Glad I did!

Enlightening

A real human interest story, those who are curious about origins will find the story of Henrietta Lacks moving. Made me think about the importance of every human being.

I did not expect to like this book, but...

I did not expect to like this book, but I did! I had never heard of HeLa cells prior to reading this book – I am not a scientist! I would recommend this book to anyone! It's a good story, it's factual, and the Lax revealed in such a beautiful way.

Very interesting

I enjoyed the story and bonus interview with the author at the end. Thanks for a well done audio book!

Amazing story

This story is relatable to individuals in the world and the struggle they go through, but it allow you to understand science in the world we live in today.

When the truth is stranger than fiction

Would you listen to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks again? Why?

Amazing work a non-fiction, well written, and a great job by the reader(s).

What other book might you compare The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks to and why?

The Emperor of All Maladies. They are both compelling works of non-fiction about the world of medicine and research told in a way that a non-medical person can understand and grasp.

Which scene was your favorite?

The trip to John Hopkins to see the cells.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, but it would be a spoiler for those who haven't read the book.

incredible telling of a significant story

incredible telling of a significant story. Very sad, but well-told and narrated. Would recommend to anyone.