Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Lessons in Chemistry

This read felt over-hyped to me.

Elizabeth is certainly an inspirational protagonist, overcoming societal norms to inspire a generation of people to push beyond social boundaries. However, I didn’t enjoy the writing style and probably should have checked the content warnings before reading. Most of the book was quite depressing and the attempts at humor didn’t hit the mark for me.
I did enjoy the ending but it was a bit too late to make up for the rest of the experience.

Content Warnings

alisafrancyne's review against another edition

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dark hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.75

I wanted to read this book bc it seemed to be a good story with a little bit of romance and some humor. There was no humor. Elizabeth Zott is an oh so serious character and has gone through a lot. Nothing in the book was funny, not even darkly funny. Calvin Evans was the best character

I wish they didn’t kill him off so early. His death was confusing I had to read it a few times…did he get shot or ran over?

. Her daughter Mad is the second best character. If she had a spin off book, I’d probably read it. Just with a little bit less of Elizabeth Zott. I just don’t like her as the main character. I really wish I could have gave it more stars but it’s hard to.

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jei_reads_sometimes's review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced

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

2.5

The American synopsis and cover for this book feel at the very least misleading. I would not call this book laugh out loud funny. The CW

rape

that happens is chapter 3 caught me very off guard considering what I was sold.
The first half of it dragged quite a bit, it was honestly the second half that kept it from getting a lower score. The dog povs were always very jarring and the "feminism" of it felt flat. I know a lot of people really loved this book but I wish it were being marketed better. I don't think I was their target audience.

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corrin_reads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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emiliegrace's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Oh how I fell in love with the relentlessly determined firecracker that is Elizabeth Zott. What an inspiring woman set in against a time that actively worked against her existence and success. Many a times I found myself smirking and smiling to myself at her victories and comebacks - at simply how unwilling she was to be anything other than herself, a scientist.
However what really struck me while reading, was the wonderful depth explored in the wide cast of side characters - from a dog’s feelings of guilt working through the death of his owner (I fucking love six-thirty, what a beautifully sweet and touching character story) to a afternoon TV show producer that recognizes his own shortcomings in standing up for women and doing what is right. I am admittedly still slightly perplexed at the need to include so much mystery/heartache surrounding Calvin’s upbringing, though it did nearly bring me to tears as the hodge-podged family was brought together in the end. I simply want nothing but happiness for Elizabeth and her corner of supporters.

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kwthor's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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