67 pages • 2 hours read
Siddhartha MukherjeeThe Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Emperor of All Maladies, a Pulitzer Prize-winning work by Siddhartha Mukherjee, chronicles the 4,000-year effort to understand and treat cancer, beginning from Mukherjee’s fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, with the leukemia treatment of Carla Reed. The book traces the historical evolution of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radical surgeries, the fight against cancer through prevention, and the impact of genetic research on targeted therapies, while acknowledging the ever-changing nature of the disease and the continuous need for adaptability in finding a cure. The book discusses cancer diagnoses and treatments, which may be distressing to some readers.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mukherjee's The Emperor of All Maladies masterfully blends historical accounts and scientific explanations to chronicle the battle against cancer, praised for its clarity and depth. While some readers find the extensive details overwhelming, most commend its narrative style and accessibility. This poignant portrayal resonates deeply, though its density may challenge casual readers.
Who Should Read The Emperor of All Maladies?
Readers who are captivated by medical narratives, history, and human resilience will appreciate The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Fans of Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Atul Gawande's Being Mortal would find this Pulitzer-winning biography of cancer profoundly enlightening and moving.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1240L