Reviews tagging 'Outing'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

10 reviews

zombiezami's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

I have seen that this book continues to be popular, and I wanted to try it for myself. I adored the characters and the writing. I thought the book was paced well, but there were a few threads that were started and never went anywhere. For example:

Walter's crush on Harriet and Elizabeth's participation in the rowing team after her pregnancy

. I also felt that, although it was in character for Elizabeth to be antiracist because she finds racism and all other forms of bigotry to be illogical, there are no Black characters or other characters of color in the book. Finally, the author employs some words turns of phrase that were definitely not used in the 1950s/1960s: e.g. "fast forward to now."

Even with all these caveats, I enjoyed the book very much, and I would highly recommend it. The author does an excellent job of showing how structural sexism harms all of society, not just women. The tragedies in the book feel very complex and human.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Rape, Vomit, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexual assault, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Cursing

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Blood, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Outing, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Suicide, and Abandonment

Minor: Slavery, Sexual content, Gun violence, War, and Animal cruelty

laurenbaggy's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Death, Pregnancy, and Car accident

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Outing, Grief, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Violence

madelynowil's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Had me crying and laughing and I loved every minute. NO NOTES

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Death, Car accident, and Sexism

Minor: Outing, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry

briryder's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

I loved this! No notes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Vomit, Outing, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Death, Classism, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse

lasunflower's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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

3.5

The blurb and reviews on the cover dont really accurately explain what the book was about. I got the impression that its a funny book about a quirky scientist turned TV host in the 50/60s. It is hard to describe (it is literary fiction after all). I'd say somewhere between a dysfunctional found family story and a fictional idiosyncratic feminist biography.

It is written in a witty way, but I wouldn't say funny. The cooking show doesn't form much content of the book: it doesn't become a thing until halfway through and even then isn't much of the content. Be aware that the book from the beginning dives into dark themes: ca page 20 is a rape scene and not much later is a conversation hitting on themes of suicide, child rape, abandonment, death of parents etc. I understand why Garmus did this (as it occurred at the beginning of Zott's career) but it was too jarring, especially considering what I was expecting the book to be about.

Overall, I liked how it was written, though some scenes were a bit strange. Like the cafeteria scene was a bit strange to hear from the perspectives of people not otherwise on the book (and happening early on, nearly put me off the book) or the chapters from the dog's perspective too. I think if these chapters were cut, the book would have flowed a lot better. Sometimes they felt like Garmus was just trying to be quirky instead of give new perspectives.

This book has given me lots of food for thought.

Just so others are aware, this book focuses on the white straight woman experience only. I commend Garmus for not doing too many themes in the book, but just for readers to be aware, as it is a recent feminist book, but isn't reflective of third wave intersectional feminism.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Death, Rape, Car accident, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Grief

Moderate: Religious bigotry

Minor: Confinement, Pregnancy, Outing, Alcoholism, Suicide, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse

microbemom's review

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring sad medium-paced

• 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Death, Misogyny, and Rape

Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, and Child abuse

Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Outing, and Vomit

goldyyy's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Pregnancy and Suicide

Minor: Racism, Death of parent, Car accident, Outing, and Child death

satsumaorange's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.5

I was initially turned off by this book due to the cover and title - it appeared like one of those dime-a-dozen romance books I tend to avoid. But my amazing mother, a woman in science who has been my inspiration since childhood, highly recommended it and gifted it to me as a Christmas present. And boy, am I so glad she did. 

This book was fantastic, compelling, and simultaneously infuriating. Every other page, I felt myself coming to Elizabeth's defense on every side. It angered me so deeply the way she was treated, that I started bookmarking every time someone said or did something genuinely kind to her. Total number: 20. If you are sensitive to sexism, I'd advise you to brace yourself.

HOWEVER. 

Elizabeth was a compelling character to me, and I kept reading just to watch her shine as herself despite her hardships. Some people may have issues with her pragmatic, blunt, and very literal personality, but I actually really enjoy characters like Elizabeth! I choose to interpret her mannerisms as indicative of autism, which made her relatable and endearing to me. 

If you have been turned away by the cover, I do encourage you to try Lessons in Chemistry. It's a wonderful story of empowering women, overcoming enormous adversity, and finding the true meaning of family. 

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Death, Classism, Grief, Car accident, and Gaslighting

Minor: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Child death, Outing, Death of parent, Vomit, Drug use, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts

varo's review

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexism

Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Suicide, Outing, and Grief

laurenkimoto's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.75

I am a women in STEM *clicks tongue* Bunsen burners on. I am in my element when I study the elements or when I read this book. Women in STEM is my new favourite sub category of fiction even though you know the book is going to contain sexism. 

I found the writing style and structure fun. Six Thirty gave me The Art of Racing in the Rain vibes and I’m here for it. 

if anyone knows the chemical compound that is on the re do tombstone of Calvin please let me know

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Sexual assault

Minor: Vomit, Pedophilia, Death, Suicide, Abandonment, Homophobia, Self harm, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Outing, and Death of parent