Reviews tagging 'Death'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

1359 reviews

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

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

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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. 

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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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Suicide

hollzballz's review

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Toxic relationship, Rape, Suicide, Death, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

kmsander4's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

The weaving of storylines, perspectives, and timelines is something I'm not usually a fan of but this book is nearly flawless in that sense. Garmus' style was so smooth I could easily transition from the voices of Elizabeth to Calvin to Six-Thirty to any of the other incredible side characters with ease.

It's also a beautiful story about life and how it goes on. Through pain and heartbreak, loss and immeasurable growth, it continues. And it also paints a spectacular picture of what family means. Whether it's biologic or filled with neighbours, friends, dogs, and acorns, it is perfectly yours - imperfections and all.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

cocaworm1017's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective fast-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? Yes

4.75

A must read for every woman, and preferably all as well. Every page was better than the last and only marked it as 4.75 instead of 5 because the ending felt rushed. Overall, this book will go down as one of my favorites.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Grief, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, Violence, and Misogyny

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Vomit

the book contains a very graphic rape scene and belittling of the police after. The death of the love of her life is also very graphic, including descriptions of the scene as told by the dog.

welaneyding's review against another edition

Needlessly triggering

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, Death of parent, Death, Homophobia, Bullying, Grief, Rape, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

coolbaud's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death

knunderb's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! Elizabeth is someone to look up to, mostly. She speaks her mind, she goes for what she wants. But she is also unwilling to compromise or change her mind about things. Everything worked out for her but she really didn't seem to change or grow as a result of her experience. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Death of parent and Death