Reviews with content warning for Pedophilia - Eine Frage der Chemie

This is marketed all wrong. It’s meant to be laugh out loud funny- I got about 40% through and couldn’t go on. I don’t have an issue with the content as such but I don’t think it was remotely funny? There was a graphic rape scene, a homophobia related suicide and the main character was called a c*** within the first few chapters. It was actually rather dark and not nearly as light hearted as expected.

The main character wasn’t likeable- she didn’t feel fitting. She is a scientist in the 60’s but rants like a 2023 hardcore feminist, which is grating.
I don’t have a problem reading about it… if that’s what I am expecting? I felt like I was hoodwinked with this book. It’s not at all what it says on the tin. Really disappointed and a bit annoyed.

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diorra's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

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

I had lots of fun reading this. Elizabeth is iconic and I love her so much. This book made me sob my eyes out and laugh too. I loved the feminism and the message this book carried. It's a very touching and inspiring and heartwarming story. This book isn't a 5 star because I was kinda hoping we could've gotten more of Elizabeth' rise to fame and her time at supper at 6, as well as seeing more of Elizabeth after what happened in the ending.

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li22ie's review against another edition

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funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

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johanna_phoenix's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.5

The positive: The book has a lot to debate about and it is divisive. I have been reading it for a book club and this book was ideal for it. I did love the surprise and blunt plot twist in the book. It hooked me and because of that, I convinced a friend to read the book as well. I needed a buddy to rant with while reading the book. I read the book in Dutch and the translator did a great job in maintaining the integrity of the book.

The negative: It is very black and white, and I miss the nuances which could have brought this book to a higher level. The agenda of what is "right and wrong" is so strongly pushed forward and rigid that there is no/barely room for character development. Personally, I hate every single human character in the book; I absolutely loved 6.30! Even though I loved the dog, those parts did feel like a different book or genre. Lastly, some sections felt like the book would start a twist or important story arc, but with a paragraph or two pages, it was already solved. This did feel as if big parts were cut out of the book during editing. I understand that it is an ingrained part of writing but it did feel too abrupt.

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