Lab Girl: A Memoir

This book is a wonderfully crafted work of love weaving life, science, amazing information about the worlds of plants, and relationships between people. Fantastic and I’ve re-read three times over the past 2 years or more and will read again. Thank you Hope Jahren and may the work of scientists and female scientists in particular receive much more support.

I was drawn to this book after reading a short biographical sketch of Hope Jahren in Time magazine’s special edition of “The 100 Most Influential People.” I’d never heard of this prize-winning scientist before and wanted to know more about her. In the article, she was headlined as being “science’s great communicator.” That stunning phrase sold me: I just had to buy her book. There is nothing I love better than to read brilliant science authored by an accomplished academic who also writes eloquently.The book took me two days to finish and held my interest throughout. But in the end, the book was as equally fascinating as it was disappointing. It also left me frustrated. Let me explain.The memoir takes up perhaps two thirds of the text, but interspersed throughout are many small chapters, each illuminating some small facet of botany. Virtually every one of these life-science essays was exquisitely written and intellectually enchanting. I loved them! In many ways they reminded me of some of the best science writing of E. O. Wilson. I would definitely buy another book by Jahren that was focused on some popular aspect of geology, chemistry, or botany. These essays were five-star gems…but this book is not getting five stars because those essays only formed a minor part.As charmed as I was by the book’s botany essays, I was disenchanted (and frustrated) with the biographical chapters. In my view, all lives are fascinating if you scratch deep enough, and Jahren’s life was, indeed, very interesting. But what this author seemed to lack is any deep psychological perception about herself. In so many ways, Jahren seemed like a stranger to her own emotional and psychological landscape. I found that startlingly odd in a woman who was otherwise so incredibly brilliant. I always wanted her to take me deeper, but instead she generally just followed the action. Sometimes her vignettes were intriguing, sometimes amusing, sometimes downright silly (revealing youthful immaturity, lack of judgment, and inexperience)…and a few times, they were bit too technical for my general interest.Her memoir consisted of a disjointed grouping of chronological stories selected from her life. At the end, the author reveals that she had chosen most of the stories because she and her lab partner, Bill, often reminded each other about them and took great joy in talking about them. If these stories amused the two of them, she was sure they would amuse others…including the reading public.The stories come from the author’s day-to-day academic experience as a research geochemist and geobiologist. But taken together as a group, the stories actually celebrate the history of her extremely odd, two-decade-long relationship with her lab assistant, Bill. As a whole, the stories puzzled me more than they entertained or amused me…and by the end, the man and their relationship remained more of an enigma than anything else.“People still puzzle over the two of us, Bill and me. Are we siblings? Soul mates? Comrades? Novitiates? Accomplices? We eat almost every meal together, our finances are mixed, and we tell each other everything. We travel together, work together, finish each other’s sentences, and have risked our lives for each other.”In the end, I found the book incredibly frustrating. There was so much more I wanted to know, but the author never took me there…never revealed those aspects of her life…or those feelings in her heart! Was she guarding them or was she unaware of them? Frankly, I don’t know.

I really really recommend this book. You'll never look the same way at a tree or leaf or plant again. I've sent this book and suggested it to both men and especially women as an inspirational memoir of utmost quirkiness and a biology lesson presented with laugh out loud analogies that, yes, make learning fun!

I am almost finished reading Lab Girl - I just finished Part 3, Ch. 8. I don't know why I feel compelled now to review it, having not even finished it, but I guess I've been doing it along the way, anyway. I think I am mostly motivated by a particular review I stumbled upon while googling various things related to the book, as they came up - it was not a particularly good review - the reviewer was disappointed, no, she was really upset because the book didn't depict the real "struggle" facing women in the field, particularly facing Hope Jahren who has accomplished so much. I suppose because I was already several chapters into the book when I stumbled upon the review I had an enhanced reaction to it - like no way, you just don't get it. I really like this book - for everything it is and also for what it is not - it's honest, and Hope Jahren is a great writer. What's more, the book is reminiscent of what I loved about studying literature in college - I was an English major and I ended up concentrating on African-American literature, because only in that genre did I find that I could really follow the evolution of voice - from the slave narrative to popular fiction -- and with it the evolution from obligation to community to obligation to self -- at what point are we allowed to write for ourselves; as women, particularly women professionals, when do we get to tell our story without having to do it within the confines of our obligation to our community? Why does Jahren's book have to be dense in the struggles of academia or denser in science? Why can't it just be what it is - rich in details of a personal journey- her own struggle with herself, her insecurities, her intellect, her family, her emotional connections with others, her desire to be a great scientist, but also to have a husband and a family, her desire to impart her love of her field to others - and she does impart it as the best teachers always do - the best teachers are those who love their work - students are more apt to learn when the teacher is excited and fascinated about her subject, and Jahren is - the structure of the book is perfect for imparting the beauty of her work and setting it against or as prelude to its corresponding point of her personal life or development. I found the science parts wonderfully enriching - they ignited an interest in me to want to learn more (hence googling various topics as they came up).And, I felt a personal connection to the book - of course because I am a professional woman who has struggled in a male dominated field with some of the same issues that Jahren has faced, and it's the things she chooses to write about that are also the most significant in my life now. I also live in Baltimore, where she spent considerable time, and I know two of the scientists at SOEST in Hawaii, though I haven't spoken to either of them since Ralph Nader was running for President. Still, the book resonates for me on a number of levels.Mostly, I just wanted to give my 2 cents, for what they are worth. I'm looking forward to savoring the remaining chapters....

Muy buen libro fue para un regalo.

Una conmovedora radiografía de la educación sentimental de una decidida, feroz y tierna botánica. Todo el corazón y la osadía de una inteligente, infatigable y sensible mente. Daría lo que fuese por entrar en el laboratorio de Hope Jahren y charlar con ella. Tendré que plantar un árbol primero

Just like I do so often, I picked this book because of its cover and title, not reading it's description, and basically thinking I was going to read a fiction.I was surprised to discover it was a memoir. And, as someone who's never been really good with science, I thought I wouldn't be able to go through this book. Yet I did—and I absolutely loved it!Hape Jahren has a way of writing that is truly unique, and she makes the scientific parts of the book understandable (even for someone like me!) without making you feel like you're dumb. Somehow I appreciated that!-This book felt like an ode to nature, trees and plants, as well as friendship, motherhood, self-discovery. I loved how the chapters switched between each of these topics, as well as many others—such as Jahren's experiences as a female scientist, her bipolar disorder…-I was just so thrilled by this book. I laughed a lot, especially when reading her discussions with Bill; but it was also moving, touching, and thought-provoking.-It was quite a lovely surprise to discover this memoir, and I just recommend it enough!

Brilliant writing. Very insightful of our green friends, I learned so much. Loved her life story and how she interconnected it with her plant insights.

I thought this was a very well written book. Hope divides the book into interesting bit size sections about plants. These are interspersed with insights into life growing up with people who originate in Scandinavia. I grew up in a Methodist family and there are some similarities and some differences which have affected me. There are also many descriptions of life in the lab which should be read by anyone thinking of becoming a scientist. Having said all of the above, the book is entertaining with some laugh out loud bits. So would definitely recommend.