Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Eine Frage der Chemie by Bonnie Garmus

29 reviews

serenity_by_jan's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.75

This book is definitely an enjoyable read, though it is a far cry from historical fiction. The only elements that allude to the time period that the story is supposedly set are the occasional description of the physical setting (appliances, television shows, books). Readers must also suspend belief to entertain the protagonist's uncannily identical mannerisms to modern progressive liberals.

The use of tropes and typecasts severely dim the ingenuity of the book. Most of the plot points can be seen from miles away, but they are still entertaining to see unfurl. Though this book touches on topics such as sexual assault, discrimination, and grief, it reads more like a fluffy beach read than an impactful piece.

The protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, has a genius child and an equally genius dog (the latter of which has many needless monologues of his own). Though this book lacks suspense, it does not bore. Instead, as the reader can already predict the main plot points, the book fills in the threads that lead from one event to the next.
Furthermore, most of the male characters are painstakingly one-dimensional: Lazy, stupid, sexist. We are meant to be fond of Calvin Evans, Zott's partner, though the author's means of provoking this from the reader is by making him the only developed male character. This is a pitiful and cheap way to write, and probably the most disappointing theme in the book.

Finally, although this book is ostensibly feminist, the main plot diverges considerably from its empowering tone and settles resolutely in disappointing territory.

At last, in the final chapters of the book, the protagonist, Zott, gets her job back . . .  due to her relations with a man. The whole ending to the story revolved around her late partner, Calvin Evans; though his life could have made a good story in and of itself, I read this book to see what happens to Zott, not to her partner. It seems as though the author drags you around, getting you attached to Zott, only to reveal that it was Evans' story all along. Disappointing to say the least, though it didn't completely ruin the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Suicide, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Racism, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

kotashomelibrary's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy

Minor: Racism, Car accident, and Suicide

beccareadsbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Death, Racism, Pregnancy, Rape, Death of parent, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexual violence, Hate crime, Cursing, and Car accident

theabee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Misogyny

Moderate: Racism

goldyyy's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative reflective sad fast-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

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, Death, and Sexism

Moderate: Pregnancy and Suicide

Minor: Racism, Death of parent, Car accident, Outing, and Child death

annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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? No

4.25

it's like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo but even better imo. i fell in love with Elizabeth Zott, whose experiences are painful to read and made me want to scream with indignation. in fact, (almost*) the whole cast was lovable—not just  "able to be loved", but rather, "no choice but to love". an engaging, many-threaded story full of heart that weaved into one for a rock-solid ending (for which i'm a sucker).

*except, to be honest, Walter Pine. i don't see how he was much better than the villainous men before him (Donatti and Lebensmal); maybe he was "just following orders", but as if that makes up for it. he's a devoted father, but what kind of daughter's role model is complicit in the mistreatment of women under his own purview? but of course he's ultimately

rewarded with a promotion—which i don't fault the writing for, it's prob the most realistic course of events unfortunately—but less believably, becomes bffs with Elizabeth at the drop of a hat

?? he may recognize the err of his ways, but did he follow that up with any significant changes, e.g. use his newfound power to uplift those he previously kept down? not that we know of. maybe i hold a grudge like Calvin but i don't really see how Walter redeemed himself.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Blood, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Miscarriage, Cursing, Excrement, Fatphobia, Gore, Vomit, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Classism, Violence, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Abortion, Child abuse, Body shaming, Child death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Racism

thebookpaiges's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring slow-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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Death, Classism, Car accident, Suicide, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Racism, Violence, Cursing, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Racial slurs

Minor: Abortion, Eating disorder, and Murder

lifewithjoce's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Suicide, and Rape

Moderate: Vomit, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Racism

foreverinastory's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-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

4.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5

Damnnn this book was epic. I need more badass women chemists like Elizabeth Zott!

Lessons in Chemistry follows chemist Elizabeth Zott. Elizabeth has her share of troubles trying to get taken seriously as a woman chemist in the 1960s. Add into that single motherhood and things are looking shaky for her. Then comes Supper at Six, a cooking show that skyrockets Elizabeth to fame for her unique perspective and way of addressing her audience. Not everyone is happy, because not only is she teaching about nutritious meals, she's also daring her fellow women to challenge the status quo.

I really enjoyed this book! I need more women in STEM in my books. I loved the friendship between Elizabeth and Harriet. I loved how determined Elizabeth was to follow her passion. When she built her own lab in her kitchen while pregnant, I knew I was a goner for her. Every time Elizabeth comes against sexism and misogyny, she stays so cool and logical. I wish I could be as contained as her. She has so many good come backs to the stupid shit men tell her too. I'm just going to have to remember everything she says so I can strive to be that much of a badass.

Besides facing misogyny and sexism in her work, there's also a family saga going on in the background of this book. I don't want to say too much about it because seeing it come together in the ending was so rewarding and made my heart fill with joy. I really loved how family was an important theme in this book, in all its various forms. Also Six-Thirty is the best dog ever! And he does not die in the book.

The only thing that detracted from this story was the obvious lack of women of color in this book. There were no notable women of color. And the fact that this takes place in the 60s makes me question where they are. Elizabeth was incredibly knowledgeable. She mentions more than once in the book that discrimination based on skin color has no scientific founding and is ridiculous. It made the lack of WOC much more obvious.

Rep: white cishet female MC, white cishet male MC, white cis gay male side character, fat white cishet male side character, various other white straight side characters.

CWs: Sexism, misogyny, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape/attempted rape, death, car accident (someone is run over on page), grief. Moderate: past mentions of child abuse/death, homophobia/homomisia, suicide, religious bigotry, death of parent, consensual sexual content, domestic abuse (side character). Minor: pedophilia, racism mentioned, past mentions of car/train accident (not shown on page but discussed). 

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Car accident, Pedophilia, and Racism