Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Lessons in Chemistry

Beautifully written book, which covers a lot of complex issues. Unfortunately, the marketing around the book is awful in the sense that it's presented as a light read with whitty comedy (of which there is some but it is certainly not a main theme). I would say it's a must read but not for the reasons it had been reviewed/marketed for.

My advice is to CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS! I read for the sense of escapism so when I saw the hype around this book, I went for it. Unfortunately, the themes it covered it quickly became too much for me. I will pick it back up eventually as I really want to finish it, but with all the recent life events it was personally too much too soon.

Will update review once I pick it back up.

Content Warnings

c_dmckinney's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative reflective sad slow-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

4.75

Content Warnings

bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

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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

5.0

Content Warnings

eleonorehilbig's review against another edition

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sad 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? No

1.5

so. this was BAD!
i would not have finished if it wasnt an audiobook and i had some long busjourneys ahead. ;)

this book consists purely of "not like other girl" characters.
elisabeth zott is a genius with impeccable morals,

who is also very quick to pick up rowing and who is the most beautiful woman ever and also has incredible chemistry in front of the tv and also she is an amazing chef and motivational speaker.

the other main characters are similarly extraordinary.

the way the EZ and CE have both grown up in toxic/religious environments and somehow came out without any internalized struggles is laughable at best and just plain offensive

in my opinion the feminism in the book is very problematic. as this book deals only with a very narrow view on feminism: very white, very middleclass.
additionally the female characters that work with the MC play into the "woman are formost enemies who want the attention of men" trope which is especially harmful when there are only 2 women in that workplace.

in terms of highlighting the problems the mc faces in her day to day life -

somehow only the SA and firing while pregnant

get highlighted where smaller but also important issues are sort of just glanced over - it felt as though they werent deemed important enough to be talked about.

additionally the message of the book is basically:

you can stand up to the patriarchy and be a mother and a successfull buisnesswoman so long as you have connections through your partner who are suuuuuper rich and as long as you re beautiful and also have somehow access to free babysitting.

the amount of dead or missing relatives also seemed like an easy way out to not having to discuss some of the choices the MC makes which in turn seems lazy

even for a "feel good" read these are issues that are imo harmful.
also to me elizabeth was insufferable.
the only good thing about this book was 6:30 the dog and how parts of it were narrated through his eyes.

Content Warnings