Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Lezioni di chimica by Bonnie Garmus

92 reviews

bookobsessedmommy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

Well, this was an interesting read. The primary characters are so well written, being shown as they are perceived by others and themselves. The side characters are nearly caricatures, especially the TV head, Chemistry head, and master's adviser. They were so vile I could spit, all taking what they wanted from EZ, either physically, professionally, or both. The throughline of Calvin's story ties it all up in a neat bow, but it didn't feel forced. I think my favorite characters are Mad and the priest. So much is revealed in their conversations that gets to the root of how terribly we can treat one another and how comfort is more than "I'm sorry for your loss." The most surprising addition is 6:30. A bit of a screwball addition to the motley crew, but he rounds them out nicely. There was a fair bit of pontificating, a general distaste for religion (painted as wholly bad and the root of all things terrible with zero redeeming qualities) and some odd questions/statements from the men in the book. (Like the doctor wondering why so many women choose to have kids. Seriously?) I was shocked when it ended as it felt a bit rushed (was hoping for an epilogue), but I'm looking forward to her next book for sure.

Side note: I absolutely love the fact that the author is over 60. She doesn't address ageism much in this book but I'm sure the publishing business is similar to the rest of the world in favoring youth. Seeing a woman over 40 have so much success gives me hope.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Medical content, Sexism, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual harassment, Car accident, and Grief

Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood

Minor: Child abuse and Child death

bookiecharm's review against another edition

This book is incredibly frustrating and I regretted coming back to it every time. Peak white feminism, not my brand of humor, and so much unnecessary belittling of horrifying events.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Blood, Death, Rape, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting

Minor: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Suicide

hannahaileen's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

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

1.0

This is not a feminist book and it’s not even very well written. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Blood, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Car accident, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Suicide

Minor: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, and Abortion

skyfluff8's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Car accident, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Gaslighting, Grief, Suicide, Abandonment, Blood, Sexism, and Sexual assault

sarah_thebooknerd's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Blood, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Grief, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicide and Homophobia

risemini's review against another edition

funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Cancer, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Sexism, Car accident, Grief, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Rape, Suicide, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood

mx_sunshine's review against another edition

Did not finish due to graphic content

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault

cdubbs's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Sexual content, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Abandonment, Car accident, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Violence, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, and Homophobia

saturnsierra's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism

Moderate: Blood and Sexual assault

Minor: Suicide and Homophobia

annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition

emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

it's like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo but even better imo. i fell in love with Elizabeth Zott, whose experiences are painful to read and made me want to scream with indignation. in fact, (almost*) the whole cast was lovable—not just  "able to be loved", but rather, "no choice but to love". an engaging, many-threaded story full of heart that weaved into one for a rock-solid ending (for which i'm a sucker).

*except, to be honest, Walter Pine. i don't see how he was much better than the villainous men before him (Donatti and Lebensmal); maybe he was "just following orders", but as if that makes up for it. he's a devoted father, but what kind of daughter's role model is complicit in the mistreatment of women under his own purview? but of course he's ultimately

rewarded with a promotion—which i don't fault the writing for, it's prob the most realistic course of events unfortunately—but less believably, becomes bffs with Elizabeth at the drop of a hat

?? he may recognize the err of his ways, but did he follow that up with any significant changes, e.g. use his newfound power to uplift those he previously kept down? not that we know of. maybe i hold a grudge like Calvin but i don't really see how Walter redeemed himself.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Blood, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Miscarriage, Cursing, Excrement, Fatphobia, Gore, Vomit, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Classism, Violence, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Abortion, Child abuse, Body shaming, Child death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Racism