The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Encyclopedia
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2010) is a non-fiction book by American author Rebecca Skloot
. It is about Henrietta Lacks
and the immortal cell line, known as HeLa
, that came from her cervical cancer
cells in 1951. The book is notable for its accessible science writing and dealing with ethical issues of race and class in medical research. It is Skloot's first book.
In May 2010, it was announced that Oprah Winfrey
and Alan Ball
in conjunction with HBO plan to create a film version.
said:
On November 10, 2010 the book was awarded the Wellcome Trust Book Prize
, awarded annually to an outstanding work of fiction or non-fiction on the theme of health and medicine. It also won the Heartland Prize
for non-fiction, a Salon Book Award, selected as one of the 100 New York Times Notable Books of the Year, and chosen as a Publishers Weekly
Top 10 Books of 2010. As of October 19, 2011, the paperback edition had spent 31 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list.
, on February 2, 2010 (ISBN 978-1400052172). On the same date, an audiobook edition was published by Random House Audio, narrated by Casandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin (ISBN 978-0307712509), as well as electronic editions in mobi (Kindle) and Epub formats.
Rebecca Skloot
Rebecca L. Skloot is a freelance science writer who specializes in science and medicine. Her first book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks , was one of the best-selling new books of the year, staying on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 32 weeks and optioned to be made into a movie by...
. It is about Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks was an African-American woman who was the unwitting source of cells from her cancerous tumor, which were cultured by George Otto Gey to create an immortal cell line for medical research...
and the immortal cell line, known as HeLa
HeLa
A HeLa cell is a cell type in an immortal cell line used in scientific research. It is the oldest and most commonly used human cell line. The line was derived from cervical cancer cells taken on February 8, 1951 from Henrietta Lacks, a patient who eventually died of her cancer on October 4, 1951...
, that came from her cervical cancer
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...
cells in 1951. The book is notable for its accessible science writing and dealing with ethical issues of race and class in medical research. It is Skloot's first book.
In May 2010, it was announced that Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
and Alan Ball
Alan Ball (screenwriter)
Alan E. Ball is an American writer, director, actor and producer for film, theatre and television.-Early life:Ball was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Frank and Mary Ball, an aircraft inspector and a homemaker...
in conjunction with HBO plan to create a film version.
Critical reception
Critical reception was favorable. Lisa Margonelli reviewing in The New York Times Book ReviewThe New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review is a weekly paper-magazine supplement to The New York Times in which current non-fiction and fiction books are reviewed. It is one of the most influential and widely read book review publications in the industry. The offices are located near Times Square in New York...
said:
On November 10, 2010 the book was awarded the Wellcome Trust Book Prize
Wellcome Trust Book Prize
Wellcome Trust Book Prize is an annual British literary award sponsored by Wellcome Trust. In keeping with the vision and goals of Wellcome Trust, the Book Prize honors "the best of medicine in literature", including fiction and non-fiction. The winner receives £25,000.The current prize for...
, awarded annually to an outstanding work of fiction or non-fiction on the theme of health and medicine. It also won the Heartland Prize
Heartland Prize
The Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize is a literary prize created in 1988 by the newspaper The Chicago Tribune. It is awarded yearly in two categories: Fiction and Non-Fiction. These prizes are awarded to books that "reinforce and perpetuate the values of heartland America."- Chicago Tribune...
for non-fiction, a Salon Book Award, selected as one of the 100 New York Times Notable Books of the Year, and chosen as a Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
Top 10 Books of 2010. As of October 19, 2011, the paperback edition had spent 31 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list.
Editions
The book was initially released in hardcover, published by Crown BooksCrown Books
Crown Books Corporation was a bookseller headquartered in Lake Arbor, an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, near Largo and Upper Marlboro. It was founded in the Washington, D.C., metro area by Robert Haft in 1977...
, on February 2, 2010 (ISBN 978-1400052172). On the same date, an audiobook edition was published by Random House Audio, narrated by Casandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin (ISBN 978-0307712509), as well as electronic editions in mobi (Kindle) and Epub formats.
See also
- Crownsville Hospital CenterCrownsville Hospital CenterThe Crownsville Hospital Center is a former psychiatric hospital located in Crownsville, Maryland. It was in operation from 1911 to 2004.-History:...
, Elsie's asylum. - Clover, VirginiaClover, VirginiaClover is a census-designated place in Halifax County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 438. Clover was an incorporated town from 1895 until 1998, when it reverted to unincorporated status.Clover is located at ....
, Henrietta's home town. - Dundalk, MarylandDundalk, Maryland-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,306 people, 24,772 households, and 16,968 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,689.5 people per square mile . There were 26,385 housing units at an average density of 1,985.9 per square mile...
, location of Turners Station in Baltimore.
External links
- The Immortal Life, authors official book website (audio/video, photos)
- Henrietta Lacks Foundation, non-profit org founded by Rebecca Skloot using proceeds from the book.
- The Lacks Family, family website.
- The Way of All Flesh by Adam CurtisAdam CurtisAdam Curtis is a British BAFTA winning documentarian and a writer, television producer, director and narrator. He works for BBC Current Affairs.-Early life and education:Curtis was born in 1955...
, 1997 BBC documentary discussed in the book. - Henrietta Everlasting: 1950s Cells Still Alive, Helping Science, Wired magazine, flowchart.
- Dr. Kiki's Science Hour 43: The Skloot Lacks Nothing, audio interview with Skloot, April 23rd, 2010