Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

389 reviews

bilingual_introvert's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Excellent book. There were definitely some parts that were difficult to get through

(specifically the assault scenes and all the gender discrimination).

The book made me cry on multiple occasions. My heart broke for Elizabeth and Calvin and all they went through. It's truly an inspiring story and it was so well written I had to go and check if it was maybe based on a true story (it's not). As much as I think this book should be read by many people as possible I wouldn't be comfortable with minors reading it and I also doubt that most men will understand or relate to the nuances here. The story is set in the 60's and while it's interesting to see the things that have changed it's also saddening to see how so much of it is still true for women in today's world. 

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Death of parent and Domestic abuse

Elizabeth is raped and then kicked out of school. There are also repeated situations of harassment and assault. We learn Elizabeth's friend is in an abusive marriage after he beats her

adventurebound7's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

Really great book. Loved the focus on relationships we have with one another and the connections that bond us. Especially loved the female relationships depicted in this book. Will definitely be looking for more works by this author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicide

Minor: Domestic abuse

ronnir's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexism, and Pregnancy

Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Grief, Car accident, and Rape

lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional sad tense 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? No

4.25

This book manages to be frustrating, whimsical, and somber all at once. If you’re like me, many parts of this book will have your fists clenched in anger. Best rest assured, your fists will uncurl (mostly anyway) by the end of this book (although most of the sweet here is counterbalanced by bitterness, in a true lesson in chemistry) 

At first I wasn’t sure about the writing style. It was captivating enough but when we started getting 6:30’s point of view, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully I stuck with it and the writing sucked me in and I really enjoyed this book. 

I’m very late to this party but I’m really glad I picked this book up! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Domestic abuse

annierosebel's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book!

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 pretty than risking awkward, heavy-handed, bad content.

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Suicide

2shadowsdeep's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexism

Moderate: Suicide and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Gaslighting

alamaranaa's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

I picked this book up at the library and could not put it down. I read it in four hours. I cried, I laugh, I got angry, and swelled with happiness reading this story. It's so incredibly good and perhaps my new favorite book even. Wow!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Suicide and Domestic abuse

tinygoldfox's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

An amazing read. Fast paced, hilarious and so incredibly relatable even in today's society!

Please read this book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Sexism, and Misogyny

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Domestic abuse

emerion's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Domestic abuse

easlan's review against another edition

Started out with DV/assault/suicide. I couldn't follow along with the story and there was a lot of technical jargon I wasn't interested in. I'll try again another time. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence and Domestic abuse

Minor: Suicide