As the story of personal tragedy it was unforgettable. Whether it made real progress in the study of linguistics is an open question, although I've just read in Wikipedia that Genie's grammar tests where marked artificially low, for dropping final letters in words.
But what stood out most of all, as I read this in one sitting in a library in some foreign country, was how indifferent the scientists seemed to be when it came to shopping around a desperately needy little girl and then dropping her. Genie's ability to get cars on the freeway to suddenly stop and give her their raincoats was just desperately sad.
Imagine my happiness when I see that there is now an entire book about her scientific mistreatment, lawsuit and movie. Genie is now in her mid 50's. Here's hoping this is all helping her somehow.