Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

601 reviews

willbefunorelse's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective tense 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

meredith_williams_'s review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring 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

4.25

This book absolutely lived up to the hype! Lessons in Chemistry is a heartfelt, witty and inspiring story about the value of found family and the importance of being true to yourself. The characters in this book are so well written and the plot is engaging from start to finish (even if there are a few plot points that are a bit outlandish!) Because it takes place in the 1950s and 1960s and because the main character is a white woman, it is important to note that the feminism is not the most intersectional. The author kind of address the racial injustice of the period, but not in a way that feels like it was done with the most care. Overall, I think that a lot of women will still relate to the main character and her experiences with sexism, as well as with other characters in the book who are challenging the status quo of society. Definitely a great read and one that I will recommend! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Suicide, Vomit, and Car accident

Minor: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Blood, and Religious bigotry

jillaay_h's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

zoiejanelle's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring tense 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

4.5

i read this per my aunt’s recommendation with zero knowledge of the book going into it. it is about the generation of women who came just after my grandmother, adult women in the late 50s and 60s who were on the precipice of the next great American feminist movement but still greatly impacted by WW2 social norms.

i did not expect this book to impact me so much! i love women’s fiction, but i tend to prefer more literary works than this. there was a very clear timeline and plot, which i appreciated, and though the book covered serious topics, the tone was mostly lighthearted. 

the POVs in this book were absolutely incredible. i LOVED getting 6:30’s perspective, and the type of head hopping that would normally
bother me was used very strategically and successfully! 

there was a HEAVY dose of found family here that i did not expect at all. i welled up in tears many times over during scenes where Mad and Elizabeth got to experience the love and support of their own little community. 

also, i SHOUTED when the

Vogue

reveal happened. Harriet slayed!!! Best character award!!! 

i can definitely see how this book lends itself to a TV series, which i plan on watching! overall, this was a really fun and interesting read outside my comfort zone. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Abortion, and Alcohol

mndscranton's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, and Car accident

kailiyahknight's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, and Death of parent

angelbabe_cj's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

3.5

While I loved the characters and the premise of a strong, female lead in the 1950’s demanding to be seen and heard as an expert in her field, I thought the beginning of the book was a bit difficult to get into. The writing style wasn’t appealing to me at first and took some getting used to but by the end of the book it felt more natural. The realities of becoming a scientist during a time period when women were only considered homemakers was an important and interesting story to learn more about. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

capsandclauses's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-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

4.75

 

“Whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change - and change is what we're chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others' opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what YOU will change. And then get started.”

Every now and again I read a book that isn't a fantasy or a romance that just hits a spot I didn't know I needed. Lessons in Chemistry is a historical that I picked up because of the Apple TV adaptation, and boy was it worth it. Full of lush imagery, interesting, quirky characters and female spunk, the book was a delightful read.

Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a female scientist in a 1960s world of men. We follow the rise, fall and rise again of her career as she deals with sexism, romance and the trials and tribulations of single motherhood.

I really hope Bonnie Garmus continues writing and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual assault

kkpines's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Pedophilia and Suicide