TheQueen
02-04-2010, 05:18 PM
February 3, 2010
Books of The Times
A Woman’s Undying Gift to Science
By DWIGHT GARNER
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/02/03/arts/03book_CA0/popup.jpg
From “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”
Henrietta and David Lacks, circa 1945
The best book blurb I’m aware of came from Roy Blount Jr., who said about Pete Dexter’s 1988 novel, “Paris Trout”: “I put it down once to wipe off the sweat.” I’m not sure I know what that means. Was the sweat on Mr. Blount’s forehead? On the dust jacket? On the inside of his fogged-up reading glasses? But I like it.
I put down Rebecca Skloot’s first book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” more than once. Ten times, probably. Once to poke the fire. Once to silence a pinging BlackBerry. And eight times to chase my wife and assorted visitors around the house, to tell them I was holding one of the most graceful and moving nonfiction books I’ve read in a very long time.
CONTINUE READING (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/books/03book.html?em)
Books of The Times
A Woman’s Undying Gift to Science
By DWIGHT GARNER
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/02/03/arts/03book_CA0/popup.jpg
From “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”
Henrietta and David Lacks, circa 1945
The best book blurb I’m aware of came from Roy Blount Jr., who said about Pete Dexter’s 1988 novel, “Paris Trout”: “I put it down once to wipe off the sweat.” I’m not sure I know what that means. Was the sweat on Mr. Blount’s forehead? On the dust jacket? On the inside of his fogged-up reading glasses? But I like it.
I put down Rebecca Skloot’s first book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” more than once. Ten times, probably. Once to poke the fire. Once to silence a pinging BlackBerry. And eight times to chase my wife and assorted visitors around the house, to tell them I was holding one of the most graceful and moving nonfiction books I’ve read in a very long time.
CONTINUE READING (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/books/03book.html?em)