The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Medical ethics and racial injustice. Discuss...

Yes this months choice did read more like a thesis than a summer read but its' no nonsense style gripped the Hussies and spurred them on to the end. Skloots' non fiction best seller tells the human story behind the HeLa cells. It is a testament to her skill as a writer that she manages to combine science and humanity in a way that engages the reader and doesn't require any subject specific knowledge. For those unfamiliar with  He La cells this book gives a comprehensive account of their successful growth and subsequent immortality in a lab dish. The reader learns how the cells have been used by scientists over the years for incredibly diverse purposes, not just in America but across the whole world and beyond, even travelling in to outer space. 

The author covers the facts behind the harvesting of the cells from their owner, a young black woman called Henrietta Lacks, hence the name He La cells.  Henrietta never knew nor agreed to her cells being used for medical research, however at that time it was seen by the medical profession  as a form of payback for free medical treatment. Henrietta was poor and had no medical insurance and in 1951 Baltimore black people did not have access to the same medical care as their white counterparts. She died from cervical cancer in 1951, a time when it was the norm for Dr's to use parts of their patients for medical research without gaining consent. The author sites other cases in America where patients were used as guinea pigs for medical research. The book raised questions about ethics and racial discrimination but a lot of the things that happened were of their time and modern medicine has moved on so much its hard to imagine any procedure going ahead without full written consent.

The book is of interest to non medics because it delves into the family history of Henrietta, highlighting the poverty and chaos some people have to endure. Dysfunctional interbred families that go on repeating the mistakes of past generations out of ignorance and circumstance. Skloot met with the family of Henrietta Lacks and discovered that they had no idea that her cells continued to live 20 years after her death. She highlights the misunderstandings that can arise when two worlds come together. Henrietta's husband believed his wife was still alive and locked in a prison cell when he was first told of the existence of the HeLa cells. His daughter worried that her mother could feel the pain of all the experiments conducted on her cells. We don't know how we would feel on hearing our long dead relative had immortal cells until we were in that position. A certain level of anger would be understandable especially given that some scientists have made a lot of money from the HeLa cell line whilst the family remain poor and unable to afford basic medical care. Of course we all agreed that it would be an impossible undertaking to trace every person who had ever donated body tissue to medical research and give them their fair share of any money made.

A well written interesting read that we would all recommend, not as dry as it first sounds.

The book was discussed at The Barrasford Arms, Barrasford, Northumberland. A picturesque village pub surrounded by castles and countryside, home to top chefs Tony Binks and Richard Muncaster. The food was of a very high standard, all agreed it was well worth the £30 per head for two courses  including the tip. Tempura King Prawns for starters were huge and well worth the £6.50 price tag, as was the slightly cheaper minestrone soup. We all went for the same main course, Roe buck on a bed of mash, very nice but could have benefitted from a bowl of summer vegetables, although we were all too full for pudding. The service was friendly and efficient leaving the Hussies with ample time to discuss the book. A great venue to which we will  return.

The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz

The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz

Blogs,The Long Walk,Books,Hexham,war,Vercelli's,endurance

  

'DOOMED FROM THE START BUT A TRIUMPHANT END WITH A FEW INCREDULOUS DEVIATIONS'

                                       

 ....   Controversy ensued at the last meeting regarding reading books some people have already read or re-reading books already blogged!  The debate continues.  This resulted in a last minute decision to read The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz.  

....   The Long Walk was a long struggle for some but, finally, all of the hussies completed the book.  

This is a, supposedly, true story about a Polish Officer named Slavomir Rawicz, who, like many others living on the Polish Border, was wrongly arrested, convicted and sent to the Gulags for a life sentence along with many an 'out of line'  Prison Officer,  all imprisioned in the hostile world of Syberia.  Stay and die or escape and die were the only two options available.  This book takes the reader on Slavomir's incredible journey, along with 6 other escaped prisoners, trekking for 9 months through the most treacherous conditions known to man from Syberia to Tibet, and, ultimately ....  Freedom!  I say, 'supposedly', because after being drawn into a relatively enjoyable, easy page-turner of a book, following their incredible journey, questions began to arise.  After a quick Google!  The bubble of enjoyment had burst and doubt ensued.  However,  as one hussies remarked, 'even if he didn't actually do the walk, someone did'.

....   The hussies thoughts regarding the book were rather mixed.  They all did agree it was a good page turner covering an epic journey.  However, one hussie felt that the arrest, trial and torture at the beginning of the book was unnecessary and did not enhance the story or do the book any justice.  It did put her off continuing, but with perseverance it proved worthwhile.  Also, certain parts made for an incredulous story, namely, the sighting of a, not so plausible, 'abominable snowman'.  That apart, it was still a good read showing tenacity and endurance, with an interesting geography lesson thrown in for good measure.  Another hussie felt it was a little contrived.  Always finding food or water at the 11th hour, surviving the Gobi Desert in their condition and never intentionally harming anyone or stealing from anyone on their journey.  The writing may have lacked a little substance which could have been due to translation and also the fact that it was an account rather than expressive or creative novel.  That said, we did feel an empathy for the individual characters even though pronouncing the Russian names proved bothersome.  Another hussie,  likewise, felt some of the extreme conditions were insurmountable, ie.  Surviving the winter night standing huddled together in the Himalayers.  Questioning what the other two died of in the desert and maybe giving a bit more insight into the politics and societies of the countries they were passing through.  Also, the book did finish rather abruptly leaving you wondering what happened to the men and why only one ended up telling the story.

....   Once the authenticity was questioned, it did raise a lot of unanswered questions which made for an interesting discussion.  Maybe because our generation has never experienced war or such hardship in travelling on foot in such adverse conditions, we could never contemplate such a story to be true!  As pointed out, there would have been many debriefings and, maybe, some more exaggerated than others, but, one thing is for sure .... Someone walked it and it was a good read!!

Image from http://www.vercelli.co.uk/css/images/location.png.

....   Vercelli's was chosen for our discussion night, firstly, because last time one of the hussies couldn't make it and, secondly, the food was previously good and we thought it deserved another try.  It is a larger than usual Italian so ambience and coziness are not words that come to mind.  However,  in general the food, service and portion sizes were very good, albeit, a touch expensive in some hussies eyes.  King Prawns and Scallops do come at a price..

....   Staying with the theme of true stories and non-creative writing!  No disrespect!  We are dipping into the medical world to investigate .....

                                       'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot'

                                              

Join us for, what should be, an interesting discussion !

Saints of the Shadow Bible

Saints of the Shadow Bible 

 Doomed from the start?

Ian Rankin is well established as one of the most successful contemporary crime fiction writers.  According to the Guardian, he accounts for 10% of all UK crime fiction sales.  This latest novel brings Rebus out of retirement in a supporting role to his previous junior, Siobhan. Its classic Rankin and Rebus, and for the devoted follower of Rankin or crime fiction, it does not disappoint.  The characters are masterfully developed, the dialogue's strong, plotting is tight and Edinburgh looms as large as ever.  

Despite Rankin's mastery, he did not delight all the Hussies. He didn't flop but he failed to excite or delight.  

The harshest criticisms of this book concerned his plotting.  Why was it all so like an adult Enid Blyton?  Each episode was followed by lashings of Malt, all the mysteries solved and all the baddies captured.  

Cynics interpreted his celebrated dialogue as shameless scripting for an inevitable TV production.  

Other critics simply expected more thrills and drama - the stuff of crime thrillers rather than traditional crime fiction. 

So were the  Enid Blyton remarks negative or positive?  Surely successful crime fiction is characterised by its predictability and its adherence to certain rules?  Fans of this genre expect to find out whodunnit, how the baddies were captured and how all the loose ends and red herrings  were tied up. Are crime fiction fans seeking the comfort, familiarity, and safety offered by their childhood stories? If so, perhaps a Blyton comparison is a compliment?  

Similarly,  the TV adaptations of previous Rebus stories meant that all the Hussies approached this book as viewers as well as readers.  Such an audience surely presents additional challenges for successful authors?  

Ultimately, it seems that the Hussies just aren't huge fans of crime fiction and so, as a master of this genre,  Rankin was doomed from the very first page.  

Bouchons Bistro in Hexham displays certain Rankin tendencies.  It too is a master of its own genre  - french style cooking - and consistently delivers a small selection of its most popular dishes.   It knows what it's about and doesn't try to be all things to all palates.  If you like good quality French style food then you will like Bouchons.  If you fancy curry, fast food or a huge choice of dishes then you're doomed from the start! 

If you don't want french style food then you're doomed from the start ! 

Our next read is something completely different.  Was Slavomir Rawicz doomed from the start ?  Or not?

Bodies of Light by Sarah Moss

'Bodies of Light' by Sarah Moss

                                                    'Illuminating Victorian Values'

A cold dark December evening found the Hussies back at one of their favourite Italians. Cheered by the welcoming lights of Corbridge's Il Piccolo, determined to make this meeting an improvement on the last, the book club shrugged off their winter coats ready to discuss 'Bodies of Light', the third novel by up and coming author Sarah Moss.

                                 

                                         

King Prawns in a sambuca sauce warmed the bones and half a portion of pasta helped to add another layer of insulation. Good food at reasonable prices and happily, decaffeinated coffee available to round off the meal. The only downside was that the delicious cooking aromas from the kitchen permeated the restaurant, confusing the senses of the diners who wanted to savour their own selection. As always friendly service helped to give the evening a pre Christmas injection of goodwill.

Impressively all the Hussies had read the book, a definate vote of confidence in the author. 

Although set in Victorian Manchester, this book is chiefly about family relationships and how the mistakes of the past are often revisted on future generations. A young mother who parents in the same misguided and damaging way as her own mother. A father too weak to intervene who emerses himself in his art. A mismatched couple, Mr and Mrs Moberley bring up their daughters in a world where women are prohibited from many professions, notably medicine, a society that  uses and abuses vulnerable young women blaming them for their own downfall. Mrs Moberley, an evangelical social reformer, is determined to mould her daughters into productive members of society. Whilst her aims are admirable her methods are cruel and callous, particularly in the case of her eldest daughter Althea who suffers physcological damage as a result. Mr Moberley, an artist and interior designer does what many men who are married to strong women do, take the path of least resistance, hiding in his work rather than stepping in to protect his daughters.

Each chapter is built around a piece of art by the father, or his close friend and colleague, a mysterious figure with an ambiguous relationship with the young Moberley girls. The author's ' show, dont tell' style leaves the reader wondering if Aubrey's interest in the girls is rooted in something rather more sinister than a love of artistic beauty. Interestingly, the younger daughter May, was a character in Moss's earlier novel, 'Night Waking', this could explain why her fate seems to be brushed over in the second half of 'Bodies of Light'. Definately worth rereading the earlier work to find out exactly what happened to the character.

On the whole a good read that examines the role of women in society, shedding light on the trials and tribulations endured by generations of women who were determined to enter a world dominated by men. An important reminder of the need to promote and protect gender equality and ensure that women all around the world have access to a good education and the opportunities it brings.

Join us in January when we meet to review our next book, 'Saints of the Shadow Bible' The latest addition to the ongoing series of crime novels featuring Detective Rebus, written by the very well established master of crime fiction, Ian Rankin.

The Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

The Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez 

Yet more Kabul in The Black Bull

Apologies to all our readers and followers awaiting this review - we discussed this on 3rd November 2014  but, for a whole host of reasons relating to a group blog, we're just getting to sharing our thoughts with you.  Please forgive us.

Firstly the venue.  We met for lunch at  The Back Bull in Corbridge which is well known for providing good quality pub food and service.  On this occasion, the Hussies tested the pub to its limits.  One Hussy, already grumpy about how difficult it is to park in Corbridge at lunch time,  disappeared at the ordering stage to sort out a puncture,  another was feeling too queasy to dine and another had issues with the salmon!   

Secondly the book.  It was OK.  Its main problem was that we all had previous. We had all previously read a lot  about women living in Afghanistan - Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns",  Rodriguez's other book "The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul" and "The Bookseller of Kabul" by Asne Seierstad, are the main examples that come to mind.   And so, we learnt little new from  Rodroguez on this occasion.  

In the absence of enlightenment, we sought entertainment - great characters, plot twists and a satisfying ending?   Rodriguez writes well, and it was an easy read, but this was neither a page turning satisfying plot nor an autobiography.  It was frustrating to wonder where autobiographical fact ended and fiction began.  

In reality, the book and the food were probably very good.  But somehow,  on that cold, queasy, punctured  day, the salmon, the tyre and the Kabul Beauty School left us all feeling flat. 

Still, the great thing about reading is that there's always another story, another page...so  we parted with high hopes for 

PS - For anyone interested in 'geographical fiction' then why not visit Guardian World Fiction for inspiration. 

The Double - Film

At The Double

A damp and dreary autumn morning saw the Hussies meet up for a private showing of 'The Double", director Richard Ayoade's film version of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's classic novel. Disappointingly only two of our group actually made it to the end of the Russian author's tale of madness and misery. It was a fascinating read that raised more questions than it answered and so we hoped the film version would cast light on our darkness.

Coffee quaffed, scones savoured we took our seats for what seemed a deliciously decadant way to while away a weekday morning. The trailers preceding the main movie gave a hint of what was to come, dark, depressing off the wall movies aimed at a trendy young art house audience, did we fit the bill? I wonder...

The opening credits set the scene, grey and menacing, a joyless soviet state circa 1970. Perhaps it was this introduction and our knowledge of the original book that set the tone of the viewing, we expected no laughter and so there was no laughter. It would be interesting to gauge the reaction of a young fresh audience who are unfamiliar with Dostoyevsky's work as they might find hilarity hidden within the drab sets and serious characters.

The plot stayed true to the original although transposed into a dystopian world where social structures were not as obviously observed as they would have been in the original setting. The majority of the characters were cold and unlikeable although the protagonist engendered pity and had the Hussies rooting for him to triumph over his evil Double. The whole film , like the book is depressingly fatalistic, we know it will end badly for all involved. Jesse Eisenberg played both Simon and James brilliantly, although irritating at times, a believable portrayal of a man on the edge of madness. Mia Wasikowska of 'Alice in Wonderland' fame played the very unsympathetic love interest who's lack respect for Simon was thrown into sharp relief by her idolisation of James.

Like the book the film leaves the audience wondering was there really a double at all? and like the book it deserves a second viewing.Perhaps a 'double' take will clear the mist and we will finally know what it was all about! 

Two Brothers by Ben Elton

Two Brothers by Ben Elton

                             A MORE PERSONALISED STORY AMIDST THE HORRORS OF THE HOLOCAUST!

....   A quick blogless blog to keep my place in the blogging order!!  The hussies turned up at the new, tastefully constructed, club house of Close House, now aptly named No. 19, offering a hearty menu for many a discerning golfer.  

 

....   Pictures and reviews regarding the book and restaurant are to follow as comments dribble in from the hussies.  I'm sorry to report that the book wasn't completed by the members and, therefore, a fitting blog could not be produced to the credit of the book.

....   So, all I can say at the moment is - WATCH THIS SPACE!!..

                  The next book proposal is The Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez.

....   Take Two  -  The Brothers by Ben Elton

....   Finally, a book we all agree upon as 'a page turner'.

....   This is a sensitive and intimate fact based story written with such passion that we were all immediately immersed in 1920's Berlin.  Two brothers. Two girlfriends.  Two families. Two sides of The Second World War!

....   The book is set in 1920's Berlin and tells the story of loyal and loving twins Paulus and Otto, sharing everything life has to offer, except 'blood' , and ending up on opposite sides during the war.  The story delves further into the day to day lives of Jewish families before and during the Nazi uprising which subsequently resulted in their demise - human rights stripped away little by little until they were regarded as worthless human beings.  The bond of childhood friendship between the twins, Dagmar and Silke, and the formation of 'The Saturday Club' is tested throughout with the many twists and turns leaving  the reader wondering - 'who is Mr Stone'.

....   It was noted that the language and phrasing was not always fitting to the period and that the story could have been more condensed in the middle section  where it was a bit repetitive.  As the story unfolded, it seemed a little rushed, not spending enough time on the other members of 'The Saturday Club'.  Still, the book was enjoyable, it draws you in making you care about the characters which makes for a bitter/sweet end as it was felt some of the characters were a let down as we had come to expect better of them.  It was quite an education learning about the Nazi practices and the fact that they thought Jews could be identified by the circumference of their head.  The factually correct events such as Kristalnacht.  The Jazz age and the depreciation of their currency all add to the education.  It is different to other hollocaust books as it is focused on the lead up to the war and concentrates more on how the different personalities deal with the events.  Although entertaining and informative, maybe by focusing on the children's aspect, this book may not be considered a classic.  On the whole we all finished the book and we all enjoyed the book.

....   There were mixed reviews regarding Number 19 at Close House, Northumberland.  This is a newly stone built, contemporary building which sits well in its surroundings.  The decor wasn't to everyone's taste and the food ranged from 'disappointing' and 'nowt special' to 'good , after golf, hearty food'.  The prices were reasonable and the service was good albeit feeling like a Metropolitan Wine Bar rather than a Country House Golf Club!  We were all at the same place, honest!!  Maybe it deserves another visit, especially during the day where you can appreciate the views!

....   Join us very shortly to share our views regarding :

                                               The Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

                                                    

                                                                                                                          8th November 2014