Scan barcode
annierosebel's review against another edition
5.0
The pacing was great and it really succeeded in the balance of day-to-day life and plot-driving moments.
Elizabeth is such a great character - she seems neurodivergent-coded to me and I love her. Six thirty, BEST boy.
I also love the idea of women supporting women and how complex that can be - there isn't always a simple answer.
I am quite happy to suspend belief for a story as long as it isn't ridiculous, so things that other people say are 'soap opera esque' don't bother me too much. I also kept forgetting it wasn't set in modern day in a super conservative area, which, yikes.
I don't disagree that Elizabeth has a load of privilege being white, straight, and 'pretty', but I think this book already covered a lot and the subtle mentions of this were better than risking awkward, heavy-handed, bad content.
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Suicide
trickstercast's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
bseigel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
ehknits's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
easlan's review against another edition
3.75
Tried 2 months later. I enjoyed it more, but still not my fav book. The dog was a little fantastical, but pretty good story arc overall. I don't think I'll reread it, but I'll be thinking about it for sure.
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicide
ilzabet's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual violence
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse
bites_of_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Narratively there were a couple of things that seemed a bit forced, things that took me out of the story because they were presented in a way that just didn't fully work for me. That being said, I think the characters were really unique and interesting with really complex motivations. I liked the outspoken main character who sticks to her values and doesn't let romance or anything else get in the way of the things that matter most to her.
All in all this is a story of a chemist who happens to be a woman in the 1950s and all the obstacles that she must overcome to reach her goals. On the way she finds love, family, and friends, which was quite satisfying to read about. However, it's not an easy read there are difficult topics that are pretty hard to read so do check content warnings before reading!
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
skylarkblue1's review against another edition
There's just constant POV changes to everyone and everything - including the goddamn dog. It's not split up by chapters, it'd just be one paragraph is from one character, the next from someone completely different. I could not tell you what year any of the events that happened are from. I could not even really tell you all the different characters and who they where as people because honestly most of them didn't feel like people. The guys where mainly just misogynistic pricks, though some liked rowing! but that was about it for them. The women where mainly just "I'm being looked down on and abused but I'm secretly smart!" or just, idk, like not wanting to challenge the status quo so they where even flatter than that?
I'm reading this for a book club but even though there's still multiple days before the meeting I just don't care enough to read more. I don't even care about the cooking show element which was super interesting to me when I first heard about it.
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
ofi's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
mjeanette_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment