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bites_of_books's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Narratively there were a couple of things that seemed a bit forced, things that took me out of the story because they were presented in a way that just didn't fully work for me. That being said, I think the characters were really unique and interesting with really complex motivations. I liked the outspoken main character who sticks to her values and doesn't let romance or anything else get in the way of the things that matter most to her.
All in all this is a story of a chemist who happens to be a woman in the 1950s and all the obstacles that she must overcome to reach her goals. On the way she finds love, family, and friends, which was quite satisfying to read about. However, it's not an easy read there are difficult topics that are pretty hard to read so do check content warnings before reading!
Graphic: Car accident, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Blood, Child abuse, and Suicide
miranda_is_reading's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
My only flaw with the book, being a designer, is that the cover design (US) doesn’t fit the book at all. I know they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but knowing how design still sends a message and subconsciously influences people I was shocked to start reading this and realize it isn’t primarily a romcom type book at all. And romcom is the vibes the design totally gives in my opinion.
Beyond that this story was captivating to me. I loved the main character, Elizabeth, and all she stands for. I love how people around her could see her as stubborn, when she was just living authentically and in truth. I also enjoyed the ties to religious discussion in the book.
I can’t wait to watch the Apple TV show of the book and hope they stayed as true as possible to it.
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Blood, Rape, Suicide, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Child death, Cursing, Bullying, Car accident, Grief, and Homophobia
haysebecca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lessons in Chemistry is icredibly well written, the pacing is amazing the characters are all fully formed and no one feels like a cardboard cut out.
The reading experience is fantastic, some books you read because you want answers to something, or because you like a singular character, but some books you read because they flow so well that you basically float through the book. This is one of those.
The Author uses multiple POVs, and does an amazing job of it, never once are you asking why someone's thoughts are relevant or quationin who it is that your reading.
The story comes full circle, nothing is left dangling, no threads are untied, and the ending is *chefs kiss*. You close the book feeling like it's complete, and wanting more, but aknowledging that anything else would ruin the finality and drag too long.
All of the (main) characters are very well written, and almost feel like friends. They have flaws, they have quirks, but most of all, they're very human and very well developed.
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Pedophilia and Racism
ofi's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, and Forced institutionalization
daumari's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
At times, I almost felt like I was reading satire of the era with all of the blatant sexism Elizabeth faced because it read cartoonishly over-the-top to me, though I do think that's part of fiction, to exaggerate experiences. Also maybe of-the-period but took me out a bit: this is southern California; where are the Latin@s and Asian folks?? (I know, white folks tend to hang out with their own but we do flip through povs of women watching Supper at Six- maybe some of those families were brown, who knows).
But, I do like Elizabeth's abrasiveness and insistence on things being correct and meritocratic (even if societal structure is not). She strikes me as a little neurodivergent and I'm not sure if that's intentional (Bonnie Garmus's goodreads question replies indicate she was aiming more for classical stoicism). I think part of why this book is so popular is because the message of being taken seriously resonates with a lot of women even today. We STILL see thinkpieces about the value of domestic labor (though I think there's a wider recognition that childcare and rearing are fulltime jobs- see Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change). When Elizabeth's spiraling in the newborn haze, Harriet reassures her that nothing is wrong and that also rung true.
Calvin's origins did remind me of The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade, and I felt like this aspect could've been baked a little bit longer as it abruptly was revealed in the end.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Grief, Suicide, and Pedophilia
sfdogmom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Death, and Vomit
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Stalking, Suicide, Death of parent, and Bullying
chrysanthxmum's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Grief and Misogyny
Moderate: Eating disorder, Racism, Bullying, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Car accident, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide, Hate crime, and Sexism
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
- 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
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.krysley's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Rape, Car accident, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Suicide, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
dreamwalker22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Domestic abuse