The author makes herself a part of the story. Do you think this technique works? What do you think would have happened to scenes like the faith healing on page 289? Are there other scenes you can think of where her presence made a difference?

I'm a bit torn on this. Usually, in a book like this it would bother me to no end. Yet here, I'm not sure I minded all that much.

I think the author had no choice but to include herself since her presence created a lot of the action in the events that took place. My big issue with the author is whether or not she continued the bad history of people taking advantage of the Lacks family. I think she could have chosen to give a percentage of the royalties to the family without requiring it to be used for educational purposes.

The fact this family was able to trust her after all they had been through amazed me. I do feel the family should have benefited from the book as well.

I think her unwinding of the story is critical to holding the narrative together. Her discoveries and reactions propel the book.

It became her story too, once she entered into the tumuluous relationship with Deborah and became an advocate for her and the family. The information Skloot was uncovering belonged to the Lacks family--and Skloot realized that she, as bearer of this knowledge, had grave responsibilities. Skloot's discoveries and disclosures affected the family in profound ways; Slkoot became an actor in the unfolding events, not just an observer.

The book is not a novel. There are no "characters" here, only real people. Skloot has made good on her promise to make Henrietta truly immortal. Jop, again, is right on the money.

Ms. Skloot experiences the anger, frustration, and pride the Lacks family feels about the exploitation of Henrietta Lacks. Her experience gives concrete meaning to many of the personal and public issues raised by the use of Ms. Lacks cancer cells. Ms. Skloot is that part of the story that is about us; i.e. we who have benefited directly and indirectly from Hela cells.

I think the author's part of the story is one of the most interesting pieces. She worked on the book for 10 years during which she had to slowly gain the Lacks' family members' trust, which had been shattered by interactions with previous journalists and outside parties. I don't think I would have had the patience and persistence that Rebecca Skloot demonstrated. She is amazing!

I understand why the author had to include herself in this book in such a big way, but, I have to admit, I was annoyed by it. Sometimes it felt as if Skloot was writing too much about herself. I think it took the focus away from the Lacks. I would describe certain parts of the book as self-indulgent. Overall, however, I liked it and think Skloot did a great job.

Since it is non-fiction, the author could offer opinions by putting her interview information and the relationship she developed with the Lacks family by including herself in the book.