Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

65 reviews

cozycactus's review

sad medium-paced

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

This is a literary story, so if you're looking for a cozy read -- look elsewhere. Still, the characters and circumstances feel real. It also evokes emotions on both ends of the spectrum in a way only great storytelling can.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Grief and Toxic friendship

Minor: Vomit, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Suicide, Death, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

sjexley's review

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring sad medium-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? Yes

4.5

Quite possibly the last person on earth to read this, but I've been saving it for book club♥️  It's the 1960s, and Elizabeth is a chemist who keeps getting dicked over by male co-workers/men in power bc she's a female.  She meets the love of her life (my fave storyline in the book), she takes up rowing, she becomes pregnant. She gets fired for said pregnancy and becomes the host of an afternoon TV cooking show (cooking is chemistry!) I loved Elizabeth. I loved the dog. I loved Mad. The sexism was hard, and I think the book missed an opportunity to include conversations about race, but I enjoyed the story!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, and Misogyny

Minor: Child death and Death of parent

livbeveridge's review

emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.25

As a debut novel this book is excellent! I feel like Garmus has created a story with elements plucked straight from the lives of women in the 50s, particularly those trying to work in a STEM field or any field at all really. 
I’ve seen a lot of praise for the character of Elizabeth Zott but I have to admit there were times that I was so frustrated by her… and I’m so glad for it. Those little moments of ugh just make it easy for yourself made me reflect, why should she take the easy traditional way, why should any of us? 
Overall an excellent novel that speaks of great things still to come from Bonnie Garmus and certainly speaks on her own love of rowing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape

Moderate: Child death

popsan27's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Death, Rape, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts

anarchy7's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Grief

Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Child death, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Death of parent, Vomit, Suicide, and Domestic abuse

bbmaan's review

challenging dark emotional informative 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Abandonment, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Child death, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Homophobia

rainynook's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

So good! No wonder this book is so popular. A page-turner. There are some serious themes, but overall the book is quirky, fun and clever.  The characters are each unique and carefully-crafted. Well done!  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual violence

Minor: Cursing, Child death, Death, Sexism, Body shaming, Abandonment, Car accident, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Pregnancy, Vomit, Death of parent, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Suicide

theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Please please please! Check the content warnings and know that all of them are prevalent in this book, but you think you can handle them PLEASE read this book. 

Elizabeth Zott is an amazing character, and a survivor. She is the embodiment of female power and a force to be reckoned with. 

The things Zott experiences in the work place are appalling and no one would call her personal life easy. In real life, a woman in Zott’s shoes wouldn’t be faulted for breaking down or giving up. But Zott doesn’t let anything stop her from reaching her goals. She goes on have a wonderful life in spite of the horrendous things she’s had to survive, because she is a survivor. 

Parts of this book had me in tears while others had me fill with so much pride I thought I would burst. At its core, this book is about the strength and resilience of women and I can’t recommend it enough. This will be a book I won’t stop thinking about for a very, very long time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Death, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Grief

Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Blood, Gaslighting, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Car accident, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Violence

Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Abortion, Vomit, Alcohol, and Pedophilia

ashleyhale's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child death, Sexual assault, and Death

abundance_of_fiction's review

challenging emotional inspiring 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

I hesitated to start this thinking that it was intended as more of a romance, and my only regret is not starting this book sooner.

Yes there is some romance, but not in the typical sense. In the words of Elizabeth Zott, they are “soul mates”. Not in the cheesy meet-cute fashion but the real-life, messy, laugh and cry sense.

This book was empowering, heartbreaking, and everything in between. I cried so much in the last hundred chapters because I had gone through this journey. I was Elizabeth Zott and I was all the other women. You would think a novel set in the 1950/60s wouldn’t have so many parallels to the modern world but that was the beauty of it. As sad as it is, many of us are still  Elizabeth Zott. Maybe not in the most direct sense but in spirit. 

Even if you can’t relate to Elizabeth Zott’s story, you know someone who can.

Overall, a 5 star read through and through.


*slight spoilers*
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You will be crying by 30% into the book, so just be Prepared.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Sexual harassment, Grief, Ableism, and Bullying

Moderate: Child abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Pregnancy, Child death, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia

Minor: Cannibalism