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bethanyruth's review against another edition
4.0
Siddhartha Mukherjee has done it again with The Song of the Cell. While the writing can be dense in places, each chapter is concise and well-explained enough to hold even a layperson's attention to the science. I especially appreciated the mentions of COVID, as it brought home the importance of knowing and researching the cell throughout history to today. Highly recommended.
*I received an electronic ARC via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received an electronic ARC via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
gigano's review against another edition
2.0
Decoherent bits of medical history, facts and personal storytelling. The book doesn't seem to know what it wants to be. Struggled through it, despite having a degree in biology.
skylar2's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
mikaylahartk's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
This was a challenging book for me—Mukherjee simplifies, explains, and clarifies, but he doesn't coddle. I often rewound to catch and reprocess the myriad of vocabulary and metaphor to understand some of the most basic functions of cell biology. (The chapter on how cells of the muscular system, among others, was completely beyond me) I kept on because of the surgical precision of the prose as well as the deeply personal and impactful implications of each chapter. Every one of the heady principles and hard-won research conclusions connects to very real health impacts, from the miracle of IVF to the heartbreak of cancer. He conveys a deep respect for the grind of research and the responsibility of clinicians. So yes, reading this book is a little bit like getting hit over the head with a textbook, but with the crucial addition of humanity, compassion, and wonder at the applications and potential of cells.