Reviews tagging 'Excrement'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

3 reviews

jcshells's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

1.0

---

Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Vomit

Minor: Eating disorder, Grief, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Drug use, Pedophilia, and Excrement

shainalite's review against another edition

funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Lessons in Chemistry is really a lesson. I took some notes from this book (quotes and facts about foods) as I was attending a chemistry class myself.
This book is a critique towards society, many things deemed as standard and normalcy in society were questioned here by our chemist main character, her daughter, her neighbor, and her intelligent dog. Topics such as marriage, motherhood, education (how awful Madeleine's teacher was!), family, passion, religion, journalism, entertainment, etc especially when it includes women in it  are brought up and challenged here. 
Everything is perfectly arranged and stitched into a story, the revelation is what closes the book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Excrement, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Grief, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Sexual harassment, Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Suicide, and Car accident

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.

---

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