Reviews tagging 'Death'

Lezioni di chimica by Bonnie Garmus

1299 reviews

pageturnervic's review against another edition

inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexism

Moderate: Suicide, Death, Vomit, and Death of parent

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

cassiealexandra's review against another edition

funny informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

From the opening pages I was pulled into the story of Elizabeth Zott. Her story of being a woman in science during the 1960s, her struggles in the workplace, her demise, and ultimate redemption was darkly funny and had such an interesting third-person point of view. We enter the minds of various characters, including the dog, Six-Thirty, but without any sense that anything is magical or fantastical. He’s just sentient and cares for his people and we get to see that. Can you tell I really liked the dog? I also loved Elizabeth’s precocious daughter, Mad. I felt a little nod to Matilda except that Madeline has a wonderful attentive mother. There was a kinship I felt to Reverend Wakely, not in his beliefs and doubts but in his workplace fatigue. Working with people in a ministerial position, even the most wonderful people, can be exhausting! In fact, its a bit of a thankless profession in the same way that being a housewife or mother was in the 1960s and still can be today. I loved the way Elizabeth works through her grief and depression, albeit after a long time ignoring it. The family she creates and the people who consider her their best and only friend point to Elizabeth’s extraordinary ability to see the overlooked and discarded. My enjoyment came down just a tad because I felt the handling of religion and faith was slightly heavy-handed and definitely negative. This didn’t affect my entire view, but I did bring down what might have been a 5-star book for me.

The bottom line: I’m so glad I finally picked this up after numerous recommendations from friends!

— NOTES —
Genres: historical, literary
POV: third-person
Content: sexism, rape, sexual harassment
Romance: discussions about sex, nothing explicit I can remember

— MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS —
(all out of 5)
Pace: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Craft: 5
Gut: 4.5
Total: 4.625 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

meroree's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, and Sexism

lil_saddie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Holding two truths at the same time: I enjoyed many aspects of this book and think the story telling was quite good with so many threads being woven together expertly and always taking Zott as deadly serious as she took herself. I enjoyed how fluidly the story could change POV and narration to give so many perspectives. 
Some spoilers further:
However, I wish I had checked for content warnings before reading because there are considerable themes of SA. I’m struggling with how necessary these multiple scenes and  references were as a plot point since this wasn’t based on a true story. I know it was incredibly common in the workplace without consequence in a way  that we have improved somewhat as a society today. But for a modern audience when 1 in 6 women have faced SA personally, who is the audience this narrative is trying to convince the severity of the situation to? We know the realities, and Zott being mistreated in the workplace without SA as part of the story feels like it should have been impactful enough. Not to mention how glossed over instances of pedophilia was for male characters. I guess in sum o feel those very triggering topics could have been handled bett

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Sexual assault, Vomit, Sexism, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Suicide

Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Car accident, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Child death, Animal cruelty, and Toxic relationship

katlinstirling_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I loved this book I’m not gonna lie. I loved the way it was written, I loved the characters and the storyline everything! Completely heartbreaking in parts and I was so angry with the sex discrimination and abuse towards women, I did actually throw the book a few times! I don’t care what anyone says this is a 5-star read to me!! ❤️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Vomit, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Death, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Medical content, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Child death, and Emotional abuse

melodyseestrees's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I wish this book had been brave enough have more diverse characters. The beginning 2/3s of the book dragged for me but once I got past a certain point I was somewhat invested. I think the book had room to also depict the inequality of treatment amongst women of differing races and it just did not go where I had hoped it would. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death, Sexual harassment, Suicide, and Car accident

Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Vomit, and Panic attacks/disorders

The dog has periodic spurts of panic, particularly in regards to his past with bombs.

jennylo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

4.5

I loved this book. The only reason I've given less than 5 stars is it wrapped up so quickly and I wanted more, I could have taken 5+ more chapters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Car accident, and Pregnancy

Minor: Child abuse

redheadorganist's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, Suicide, Blood, Death, Grief, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Vomit, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Car accident, and Homophobia

Minor: Pedophilia, Child death, and Abortion

oproy's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book. I didn’t watch the show beforehand so it was all new to me. It was heartbreaking and inspiring without being corny. Although Elizabeth felt almost other-worldly, she was relatable.

And I liked that the ending was tied up in a neat little bow. Sometimes is nice not to have to guess.

Anyways, I would highly recommend this book and will honestly be recommending it to all of my friends in the near future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Rape, and Death

Minor: Eating disorder

abicaro17's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Ok this was cute. I was kinda skeptical because it's so popular but I enjoyed it! Elizabeth Zott is a chemist who by a series of mishaps becomes the star of a cooking show rooted in chemistry. The cast of characters and all their backgrounds were easy to follow and intriguing. The main themes of embracing change and perseverance despite what anyone says you can or can't do are both incredibly relevant but make sense in the story. I think my problem stems from the formatting/plot progression. I don't think this book really had a third act climax. What I would identify as the attempt wasn't even that climatic. I just think the book reads very flat and slow at times. I haven't seen the show so it might be different but the book would benefit from following traditional plot form. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Death, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Car accident, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Classism, Cursing, Misogyny, Bullying, Stalking, Grief, Sexism, Suicide, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Homophobia