Is this book believable? Not really. Did I enjoy reading it? Yes, I did. I don't know much about medicine but I think a lot of the science here wouldn't hold up and I'm pretty sure a hospital would not let a lot of this happen. But I wasn't looking for science when I read the book so I was alright with that. I do think that Calla seemed a little too naïve for someone who had to look out for herself her entire life, but I still liked her. She was trying to do the right thing, trying to help people, and people took advantage of that. So I felt for her. And maybe the medical science here is unbelievable but the people's reaction to her is not. You can imagine what people would do if they found out that there was a cure for their, or a loved one's, cancer. What would you be willing to do if you thought you could save your dying child? What is Calla's responsibly to other people when she could help so many? Does she have one at all? It does make you think about things. Calla makes all the decisions seem like easy ones, and I wish she was a little more conflicted because I don't think it would be as easy as it seemed here. And I wish Johnson had left out the romance angle completely. It was unnecessary and felt very forced. But the story moved at a quick pace and was compelling enough that it kept me up reading long after I should have been in bed. ( )

The medical aspects of this book are rather unbelievable, but that's OK. This book is described as a thriller, but I didn't find it suspenseful or scary, and in fact it ends quite sadly. A unique plot and a good book to have a discussion about personal autonomy. ( )

The Panacea Project / by Catherine Devore Johnson – Austin, TX -- Greenleaf Book Group Press, c2023. (299 pages)

Description from the book jacket: THE PANACEA PROJECT is a layered examination of self-sacrifice, implicit bias, and the juxtaposition of bodily autonomy with high-stakes capitalism – for those who love fiercely strong characters and deep themes infused with heartwarming moments of love and humor.

Panacea is defined as a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases – and in this incident the disease is cancer. Dr. Kraft is studying the world of oncological immunotherapy; however, finding it difficult to find people for the study since those kind of people don’t get sick enough to seek medical attention. But his research is on the upswing when Calla is operated on for a brain tumor that has mysteriously vanished since being diagnosed several days earlier.

Calla Hammond is very interesting and very rememberable. Not only does her appearance make her stand out (she has vitiligo, two-toned skin) but she has now been labeled by the world as “the cure for cancer.”

Calla has lived a very secluded and lonely life – now everyone knows who she is and is trying to get close to the “miracle” in hopes that their loved one will be healed as well. People are willing to do anything even kidnapping and/or medical experimentation to own what her body produces.

Calla’s new norm is the hospital lab and constant testing of blood and body tissues to see what her body is doing in hopes to find out the why and then reproduce it. Staying out of sight, caged for her own protection, Calla is surrounded by bodyguards providing a “sphere of safety, and to protect the asset. Calla has “been reduced to a commodity, a finite resource, a rare raw material to be excavated and processed and mass-produced so humanity could hold mortality at bay for a little while longer.”

The story also shows the politics of cancer – those who have the money have a better chance of getting access to the cure – and on the other side, medicine doesn’t want to cure cancer because it is a big money business.
The book consists of short chapters that gives it a fast-paced feel. The description of the book calls it a thriller. Most of the beginning is more medical drama and the thriller part doesn’t kick in until about halfway through. But once the thriller starts – it just keeps going and going until close to the final chapters.

This book would make a good choice for a book club discussion. There is mild language throughout.

One of my favorite lines – “It felt like the cruelest joke – to discover love and lose it in the same instant.” (p196)

I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

The Panacea Project / by Catherine Devore Johnson – Austin, TX -- Greenleaf Book Group Press, c2023. (299 pages)

Description from the book jacket: THE PANACEA PROJECT is a layered examination of self-sacrifice, implicit bias, and the juxtaposition of bodily autonomy with high-stakes capitalism – for those who love fiercely strong characters and deep themes infused with heartwarming moments of love and humor. TAGS: Fiction, Thriller, Foster Care, Vitiligo, Medical Research, Doctors, Cancer, Ego, Greed, Autoimmune Disorder, Friends, Family, Relationships

Panacea is defined as a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases – and in this incident the disease is cancer. Dr. Kraft is studying the world of oncological immunotherapy; however, finding it difficult to find people for the study since those kind of people don’t get sick enough to seek medical attention. But his research is on the upswing when Calla is operated on for a brain tumor that has mysteriously vanished since being diagnosed several days earlier.

Calla Hammond is very interesting and very rememberable. Not only does her appearance make her stand out (she has vitiligo, two-toned skin) but she has now been labeled by the world as “the cure for cancer.”

Calla has lived a very secluded and lonely life – now everyone knows who she is and is trying to get close to the “miracle” in hopes that their loved one will be healed as well. People are willing to do anything even kidnapping and/or medical experimentation to own what her body produces.
Calla’s new norm is the hospital lab and constant testing of blood and body tissues to see what her body is doing in hopes to find out the why and then reproduce it. Staying out of sight, caged for her own protection, Calla is surrounded by bodyguards providing a “sphere of safety, and to protect the asset. Calla has “been reduced to a commodity, a finite resource, a rare raw material to be excavated and processed and mass-produced so humanity could hold mortality at bay for a little while longer.”

The story also shows the politics of cancer – those who have the money have a better chance of getting access to the cure – and on the other side, medicine doesn’t want to cure cancer because it is a big money business.

The book consists of short chapters that gives it a fast-paced feel. The description of the book calls it a thriller. Most of the beginning is more medical drama and the thriller part doesn’t kick in until about halfway through. But once the thriller starts – it just keeps going and going until close to the final chapters. Lately I have not been finishing contemporary fiction -- they just don't keep my interest -- however, this title I could read again and again.

This book would make a good choice for a book club discussion. There is mild language throughout.
One of my favorite lines – “It felt like the cruelest joke – to discover love and lose it in the same instant.” (p196)

I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was rather refreshing to read. It grabs you from the minute you start. It is fast paced without feeling rushed somehow and keeps you guessing. The writing isn't "flowery" but conveys exactly what it sets out to do.