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rainynook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
So good! No wonder this book is so popular. A page-turner. There are some serious themes, but overall the book is quirky, fun and clever. The characters are each unique and carefully-crafted. Well done!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual violence
Minor: Cursing, Child death, Death, Sexism, Body shaming, Abandonment, Car accident, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Pregnancy, Vomit, Death of parent, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
georgiabee's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I really enjoyed this read! Women!!!!!
I thought it was fun and a little silly at some points, but then also shockingly, heart-wrenchingly sad at others. So for all of you looking for a light beach read because of the cover… sorry gals.
Before I even picked this one up, all I’d heard was about the cover and how it was so misleading, but after having read the book I actually like the cover. Not because it’s visually a good representation of the story’s overall vibe, but because its literally someone trying to make Zott palatable to the “female audience” because of her looks, but she really doesn’t have her eye on anything besides her scientific interests.
My only criticism is that I feel like the end was wrapped up a little too nicely. Especially towards the end, it was really heavy on the references to “ohhhh my godddd poor Elizabeth getting FUCKED OVER FOREVER in ALMOST EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY” and then it was very suddenly like “jk it’s all good now :) 💖 looks like we beat the system ladies!!!” I’m all for a happy ending, but after hearing about all of the genuine struggle and tragedy that Elizabeth went through in her life when she was just trying to chase her happiness personally and professionally, the end seemed a little too clean.
I thought it was fun and a little silly at some points, but then also shockingly, heart-wrenchingly sad at others. So for all of you looking for a light beach read because of the cover… sorry gals.
Before I even picked this one up, all I’d heard was about the cover and how it was so misleading, but after having read the book I actually like the cover. Not because it’s visually a good representation of the story’s overall vibe, but because its literally someone trying to make Zott palatable to the “female audience” because of her looks, but she really doesn’t have her eye on anything besides her scientific interests.
My only criticism is that I feel like the end was wrapped up a little too nicely. Especially towards the end, it was really heavy on the references to “ohhhh my godddd poor Elizabeth getting FUCKED OVER FOREVER in ALMOST EVERY CONCEIVABLE WAY” and then it was very suddenly like “jk it’s all good now :) 💖 looks like we beat the system ladies!!!” I’m all for a happy ending, but after hearing about all of the genuine struggle and tragedy that Elizabeth went through in her life when she was just trying to chase her happiness personally and professionally, the end seemed a little too clean.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Misogyny, Suicide, and Rape
loonysaurus's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Minor: Blood and Vomit
rachel2151's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
genuinely memorable story with complex characters. elizabeth zott is who i want to be when i grow up. this book gave a real look into the struggles that women faced in the 1950’s & shows how hard they had to work just to even exist in a workplace. i was truly inspired by this book & gave it a rare 5 stars. will definitely be re-reading in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Suicide, Vomit, and Misogyny
camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I went into “Lessons in Chemistry” not really knowing by what it was about. I thought it was a STEM romance, then I saw some clips from the Apple TV adaptation that made me reconsider. Am I glad I did!
Garmus wrote a funny, informative, often irreverent but heartfelt story about women in the 1950s and 1960s. There was romance woven through the story but it wasn’t the primary focus of the book. It was part coming of age and part hilarious slice of life and part anything you can think of, really. I’ve never read a book quite like “Lessons in Chemistry” and I’m not sure I will again.
I normally go into historical fiction with some amount of suspicion—I work in the history field and usually have enough knowledge to notice (and be bothered by) large or repeated inaccuracies.
The most common inaccuracy I come across in historical fiction is pushing obviously modern opinions and viewpoints onto the characters, usually on the female main character. Our female main character, Elizabeth Zott, has very modern sensibilities. But this has been the only time that it wasn’t glaring out of place or poorly executed. It made perfect sense that she would hold viewpoints similar to women in the twenty first century, because of how well Garmus developed her character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit
jenny_bean_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book hurt. Elizabeth is so relatable as a main character it is unreal. As a woman in STEAM I am constantly having people (usually men) question my work and worth in the field. Also like Elizabeth, my partner (unlike Elizabeth, my partner is my spouse) is in the same field of work. And again, people (again often men) assume he did my work for me, and not that I did it myself. Of course, if anyone took half a second to compare our styles, they would see that we are completely different. It would be obvious had he written it for me. But I digress....
Aside from the infuriatingly accurate description of what it is like to be a woman in a "mens" field and world, this book did a wonderful job gripping the reader and not letting go until the end. I suppose there was enough foreshadowing that had I bothered to think about it, I would have figured out a couple things before the author told us. But alas, I did not.
I felt everything Elizabeth was feeling, and I loved Frask's character arc. I wish that more things happened like Frask's arc happened every day. This story was certainly not an aberration but could easily have been me, or any number of my friends in STEAM fields. If you want to know what it is still often like for a woman in science, read this book.
Aside from the infuriatingly accurate description of what it is like to be a woman in a "mens" field and world, this book did a wonderful job gripping the reader and not letting go until the end. I suppose there was enough foreshadowing that had I bothered to think about it, I would have figured out a couple things before the author told us. But alas, I did not.
I felt everything Elizabeth was feeling, and I loved Frask's character arc. I wish that more things happened like Frask's arc happened every day. This story was certainly not an aberration but could easily have been me, or any number of my friends in STEAM fields. If you want to know what it is still often like for a woman in science, read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
Minor: Vomit
andisnalls's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Rape, Car accident, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Death, and Grief
kaceymarie13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A beautiful and heartbreaking story of a woman dealing with the reality of being a female scientist in 1950s America. Elizabeth Zott is a highly complex character who I think many women can relate to, regardless of their profession or social skills. I highly recommend this read to any woman who wants to feel equally infuriated and empowered. I could not put this one down.
I would however encourage anyone interested in reading this book to check the trigger warnings, because some scenes in the book are incredibly intense and emotionally exhausting.
I would however encourage anyone interested in reading this book to check the trigger warnings, because some scenes in the book are incredibly intense and emotionally exhausting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Car accident, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Vomit
byarielshirley's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Brilliant read. Entertaining, challenging, emotional, humorous. A few somber moments which made me consider how seriously male colleagues take me, esp as a full time worker but also as a currently pregnant mother. I’m the same breath it had some great encouragement about women, particularly mothers, taking the reigns of motherhood as well as a thriving career. The ending too was so sweet and redemptive of the heartbreak felt earlier on in the book. This was well worth the wait.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Vomit
readbycarina's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Rape, Abandonment, Death, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Car accident, and Vomit