Book Quote Thursday: August 16, 2012

Congratulations to Daisy, Kathy, Beth and Kelley for being entered into the blog candy drawing at the end of the month!

(The candy is really good this month!)

The correct answer was indeed 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' by Rebecca Skloot.

We've been reading it for our bookclub and will be reviewing it in a week.  

In preparation for that event, I would like to add my own thoughts on it.

Ladies and Gents, this is an extraordinary book.  Heartbreaking, real and captivating.  It's a true story that will keep you riveted in the end. 

It begins with a retelling of the life and death of Loretta Pleasant from Virginia.  She lived vivaciously, with fire in her belly until the age of 31...31 years old! This is when she developed cervical cancer that ravage her body. 

The story doesn't end there.

During her treatment, doctors extracted tissue samples for study.  They quickly discovered her healthy cervical cells did something extraordinary, never before seen.  

This discovery had unbelievable consequences for the medical field, literally changing the world for millions of people.  

The book also raised some very important questions about ethics and personal integrity.  I was shocked by a detailed account of unimaginable and inexcusable abuse/criminal neglect which occurred on our own soil to those who had no voice.  This, during the age of not only racial segregation but also the segregation of the mentally ill.  It was chilling to me to consider the similarities between what was revealed in Nazi occupied Germany at the end of WWII and what happened in  'insane asylums'.  

And yet, there was something about the story that left my heart warmed and hopeful.  Perhaps it was the message that one person, doing a good deed can be a gift.  That gift can make a difference.  

I would absolutely recommend this book with a warning that there is some language but definitely worth the read.  

As for our book quote for today, here it is:

"Like sunshine after storm were the peaceful weeks which followed.  The invalids improved rapidly, and Mr. Meach began to talk of returning early in the new year.  Beth was soon able to lie on the sturdy sofa all day, amusing herself with the well-beloved cats at first, and in time with doll's sewing, which had sadly fallen behindhand..."

Care to take a guess?