Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

235 reviews

jenny_bean_reads's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.25

This book hurt. Elizabeth is so relatable as a main character it is unreal. As a woman in STEAM I am constantly having people (usually men) question my work and worth in the field. Also like Elizabeth, my partner (unlike Elizabeth, my partner is my spouse) is in the same field of work. And again, people (again often men) assume he did my work for me, and not that I did it myself. Of course, if anyone took half a second to compare our styles, they would see that we are completely different. It would be obvious had he written it for me. But I digress....

Aside from the infuriatingly accurate description of what it is like to be a woman in a "mens" field and world, this book did a wonderful job gripping the reader and not letting go until the end. I suppose there was enough foreshadowing that had I bothered to think about it, I would have figured out a couple things before the author told us. But alas, I did not.

I felt everything Elizabeth was feeling, and I loved Frask's character arc. I wish that more things happened like Frask's arc happened every day. This story was certainly not an aberration but could easily have been me, or any number of my friends in STEAM fields. If you want to know what it is still often like for a woman in science, read this book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Homophobia

Minor: Vomit

happyunicorn7's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Suicide

hannanni41's review against another edition

emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I'm sure Elizabeth Zott would be super mad that being a woman in STEM has only gotten marginally better since the time period when the book takes place. At least the next time a male coworker gets all faux-concerned about me being "sick" because I didn't wear makeup to a meeting I'll think of her and be able to channel my rage into something productive that would make her proud. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Pedophilia

christynhoover's review against another edition

dark hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Death, and Sexual assault

Minor: Suicide, Homophobia, and Emotional abuse

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

sammyofthevalley's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, Abandonment, and Rape

Minor: Suicide, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia

vanessatombolini's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Grief and Suicide

Minor: Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Vomit, Car accident, Racism, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

missinfermiera's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Rape, Suicide, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Suicide attempt

ahawkins11's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Car accident, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Suicide

lizzyjean's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book had me on my toes from the very beginning. I have never read a book that has such an accurate grasp of humanity and how we should include everyone despite different sexes, religions, races, and sexualities. Elizabeth Zott and (almost…) every character in this book has a permanent place in my heart, and I hope to read more by Bonnie Garmus in the future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Homophobia, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Suicide

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail

The descriptions of rape/sexual assault are pretty graphic and happen more than once throughout the story. Sexism is a main theme of the book.