Reviews tagging 'Death'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

1296 reviews

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

---

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!! ❤️

---

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. 

---

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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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. 

---

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

leahdanielle131's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicide, Rape, Sexual harassment, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Vomit, Blood, Domestic abuse, Cursing, and Infidelity

readingqueerly's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

This was very enjoyable. While it was a more dense book than I am used to, the author has a writing style that flows well. It carried the more serious topic and plot of the book really well. 
There were so many moments and feelings of womanhood and being (perceived as) a woman in a patriarchal society that were quite relatable despite the plot taking place just about 65 years ago. This book is a good reminder that we have come far, but we still have quite a ways to go as well. (And that's just white women!) It's a good reminder that you /can/ do whatever you want. You have control over your decisions even if people won't like them or are actively working against you. Do the right thing for you. A sentiment I do believe comes partly out of privilege but still stands nonetheless with the necessary compromise. I guess I would have one critique which is how the last few chapters focused quite some on the man. While the foreshadowing was there and it was a good resolution, it somehow fell out of tune for me with the 70% of the book I just read. A bit disappointing. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Death

Minor: Rape and Domestic abuse

sillyhumantricks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Suicide