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emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
- This book had a bit of a slow start for me, the tone and humor was jarring in the first half with all the events the book opens with
- but by the second half I was hooked, devoured the book in one sitting, and really fell in with the style- its footing was found and it was a fun time.
- I still have my criticisms, i think some dynamics took too sudden a turn, without much development or reason
- Some characters are cartoonish- especially a book that feature 1 character who is forward present day thinking it gets jarring - this was hovering by a 2 star rating especially with the early on death scene and its outrageous nature
- But then I devoured the latter half , it really found its pacing during the TV Arc and i really enjoyed it so I have a dilemma
- ultimately the experience was moving- this was an engaging read with charm and I can’t wait to see it brought to life on screen- not the greatest I’ve read, definitely think it was a bit too hyped for me going in- glad I read it tho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Although a few things tie together in a nice bow, the strength of the cast of characters, especially our protagonist, and the themes of truth, change, and perseverance make this novel a crowd-pleaser.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Abortion, Classism
Be aware that there is discussions of marriage outside of wedlock, doubt in religion, bomb threats, and abuse of power in science, education, religious institutions, and television.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Grief, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Abandonment
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know - Maybe I'm not the target audience for this book as a childless millennial. I felt as though the characters of Mad and Six-Thirty were a bit much at times. Sometimes the sexism felt like a caricature of what a sexist person could be. I did appreciate the times when male characters were handled a bit more critically, especially Walter Pine and the brief examination of good guys who don't stop bad guys. But overall I felt like the plot was a bit convoluted and I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to take away from the book. I finished it feeling like it was just okay. But, I know mothers who absolutely love this book, so perhaps it just didn't resonate with me as much as other readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicide
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Suicide
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual assault
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
Elizabeth Zott is a Chemist first and foremost. After that she is a mother, tv cook and early feminist beaten down by life in the 1960s. This debut novel by Bonnie Garmus tells the story of Elizabeth's life: her highs, lows and everything in between including her relationship with famous (fictional) scientist Calvin Evans which culminates in their illegitimate daughter, Mad. When boiled down to basics, this novel is about chemistry.
I loved this novel, read in audio format. Garmus brings to life a character so complex and grounded that I feel I know her. Elizabeth is a scientist and as such the decisions she makes are grounded in facts but that doesn't mean she gets everything right first time. Science is about experimentation after all. This makes her character very human and very relatable. Her experiences lead her down certain roads she may not wish for herself but every choice makes sense. All of Garmus' characters have this deep sense of reality built in to them. Set at a time when women had very little rights and misogyny ran rife in society this book challenges how things have changed and how they still yet could be improved. The sub-plot about Calvin Evans' life brought the novel neatly to a close in a satisfying and emotional knot which just tied the whole thing in a bow for me. I want to read more by Bonnie Garmus now and I think I will definitely reread this in the future to see if it holds the same impact.
I loved this novel, read in audio format. Garmus brings to life a character so complex and grounded that I feel I know her. Elizabeth is a scientist and as such the decisions she makes are grounded in facts but that doesn't mean she gets everything right first time. Science is about experimentation after all. This makes her character very human and very relatable. Her experiences lead her down certain roads she may not wish for herself but every choice makes sense. All of Garmus' characters have this deep sense of reality built in to them. Set at a time when women had very little rights and misogyny ran rife in society this book challenges how things have changed and how they still yet could be improved. The sub-plot about Calvin Evans' life brought the novel neatly to a close in a satisfying and emotional knot which just tied the whole thing in a bow for me. I want to read more by Bonnie Garmus now and I think I will definitely reread this in the future to see if it holds the same impact.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, Vomit
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape, Suicide