Breaking Through

My Life in Science

By: Katalin Karikó

Narrated by: Eva Magyar

A powerful memoir from Katalin Karikó, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, whose decades-long research led to the COVID-19 vaccines

“Katalin Karikó’s story is an inspiration.”—Bill Gates

“Riveting . . . a true story of a brilliant biochemist who never gave up or gave in.”—Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry

A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Katalin Karikó has had an unlikely journey. The daughter of a butcher in postwar communist Hungary, Karikó grew up in an adobe home that lacked running water, and her family grew their own vegetables. She saw the wonders of nature all around her and was determined to become a scientist. That determination eventually brought her to the United States, where she arrived as a postdoctoral fellow in 1985 with $1,200 sewn into her toddler’s teddy bear and a dream to remake medicine.

Karikó worked in obscurity, battled cockroaches in a windowless lab, and faced outright derision and even deportation threats from her bosses and colleagues. She balked as prestigious research institutions increasingly conflated science and money. Despite setbacks, she never wavered in her belief that an ephemeral and underappreciated molecule called messenger RNA could change the world. Karikó believed that someday mRNA would transform ordinary cells into tiny factories capable of producing their own medicines on demand. She sacrificed nearly everything for this dream, but the obstacles she faced only motivated her, and eventually she succeeded.

Karikó’s three-decade-long investigation into mRNA would lead to a staggering achievement: vaccines that protected millions of people from the most dire consequences of COVID-19. These vaccines are just the beginning of mRNA’s potential. Today, the medical community eagerly awaits more mRNA vaccines—for the flu, HIV, and other emerging infectious diseases.

Breaking Through isn’t just the story of an extraordinary woman. It’s an indictment of closed-minded thinking and a testament to one woman’s commitment to laboring intensely in obscurity—knowing she might never be recognized in a culture that is driven by prestige, power, and privilege—because she believed her work would save lives.

©2023 Katalin Karikó (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A riveting testament to resilience and the power of unwavering belief, Breaking Through charts an inspirational journey from growing up in postwar communist Hungary to transforming the world with mRNA.”—Jennifer Doudna, Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry and author of A Crack in Creation

“Katalin Karikó’s story is an inspiration. Anyone who has ever doubted that science, innovation, and persistence can change the world should read this book.”—Bill Gates, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Avoid a Climate Disaster

“Karikó’s proven recipe (from the creative Hungarian kitchen) for a breakthrough in science: Start with an insatiable curiosity in education and research. Then, for a few decades, look for gaps in knowledge; work hard for years to fill some of them; don’t give up because of difficulties or circumstances; and, finally, seize the opportunity to help solve one painful problem of humanity, thereby opening new horizons for the future of medicine. Bon appétit, enjoy your sweets!”—Ernő Rubik, inventor of the Rubik’s Cube and author of Cubed

“Katalin Karikó’s remarkable life story, which incidentally began not far from where I spent my childhood, inspires us not to be held back even in the face of severe difficulties. It encourages us to stay strong and follow through with important ideas that can change the world.”—Stefan Hell, Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry

a must listen

this book is a must listen. it’s so inspirational and a lesson for how life should be lived.

Inspiring

Kaitlin's memoirs go beyond her major scientific advances to tell of her search for the unknown and her determination and resilience to find it, even without knowing that doing so would save millions of lives. One of the most inspiring stories I have read, but at the same time it reveals how there is a lot to do to support talent, especially women.

Remarkable and inspiring story of grit and perseverance

Remarkable and inspiring story of grit and perseverance. Humanity should be forever grateful. Made me wonder how many researchers, particularly women, who quit before seeing the fruits of their labor because of poor leadership in their labs. The reader's accent created the belief that the book was delivered in the author's voice.

Excellent book!

Excellent book! Read it. Wish everyone could read this book. It is a story of grit.

Phenomenal

Phenomenal and very inspirational. Just wow! Went through several rounds of smiles and cries listening to this book. Thank you for your contribution Dr.!!!

inspiring story

shows how academia works, and how humanity almost missed the contributions of this wonderful scientist.

Truly inspiriring

This is an amazing book. Katalin life is truly inspiring. The book it’s well written and well narrated. A Nobel price winner who had to face so many challenges.

Absolutely remarkable!

This is an amazing autobiography by a skilled and determined researcher. She overcame many obstacles to achieve her discoveries and it is fortunate for humanity that she did so, considering how instrumental they were in developing a Covid vaccine. Brava!

Love letter to RNA

I enjoyed hearing about this author’s dogged determination in the face of adversity. Her story is inspiring. I admire Katalin Karikó, her voice desperately needs to be heard by the world.

Excellent book

Worthy book to read. Great story that shows the ethics and hard work of Dr. Kariko. Very inspiring and it shows the importance of science in our society. I fully recommend it.