Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

46 reviews

ashlgerr's review against another edition

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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicide, Rape, Misogyny, and Death of parent

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Car accident and Blood

camille570912's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Rape, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

fazazzle's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

I purchased this book in anticipation of the Apple TV adaptation starring Brie Larson, but I really wish I didn’t. I’ve seen this title circulate around for years and hailed as a terrific piece of literature, but I truly do not agree.

While there are some redeeming qualities to this book (i.e., most of Six-Thirty’s POVs, the reveals at the end, and the development of the main romance), I could not wholeheartedly get behind this book.

The turning point for me was about 95 pages in, when we witness Calvin’s death. I don’t think that this death was meaningless (it was hinted from the beginning, so we did know it was coming), but the exaggerated, violent description of his death is really unnecessary. I don’t think that being needlessly cruel in the specifics of Calvin’s death really does much for the story or even the character development of outside characters.

Also, I know that this story takes place in the 1960s, but the feminist perspective felt very one-dimensional and was really ineffective for me. Honestly, it was kind of textbook White Feminism. I think that a lot more could have been done with these characters and this story if the feminism dared to dig a little deeper. Although I did enjoy the way that the cooking shows impacted the female audience members, I think that ultimately a lot of the messages fall a little flat. 

Ultimately, I don’t think I would really recommend this book to others. Although the writing style was (at times) interesting and there were some nice moments, I don’t really think this book will stand the test of time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Death, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Body horror, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Pregnancy

helfire124's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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: Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Medical content, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

sydneynorman's review against another edition

reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Rape, and Suicide

Minor: Vomit

mpeach's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Bullying, Car accident, Deadnaming, Death, Grief, Sexism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Rape, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Suicide

yumiko's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Pregnancy

vixenreader's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Car accident, Grief, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Death, Sexism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Medical content, Mental illness, Police brutality, Abandonment, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Homophobia, and Cursing

Minor: Classism, Vomit, Infidelity, and Abortion

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.

mgaylereads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide

Minor: Death

vj_thompson's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This book 🥹 I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would and wish more people would read it, or at least give it a chance!! 

There is a reason this is a five star read. This writing is beautiful, intentional, and meaningful. Each word was written with purpose. Everything in this story; backstory, inner monologue, character, had reason. I LOVED how everything was wrapped up in the end. Of course I cried 😭 Ugh, please read!! 

Last thought, Six-thirty is my favorite character. I highlighted so many of his parts. He is a wise dog. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Misogyny, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Grief

Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Vomit, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Suicide

Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, and Child death