Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

368 reviews

krysley's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape, Car accident, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Suicide, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

dreamwalker22's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Minor: Domestic abuse

claireeshelby's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring 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

4.5

Couldn’t put this down. I didn’t have high expectations after its hyped up frenzy, but was pleasantly surprised by how well written and thoughtful this book was. Elizabeth was a relatable character that highlighted how little has truly changed in the last 80 years for women in society’s eyes. Loved the side characters and the seamlessly switching POVs—I never felt lost despite many details and timeline shifts.

I did think Mad meeting Wakely was a bit too serendipitous and Calvin’s childhood section of the story was certainly not a plot twist for anyone paying attention.

Overall a great read, but not quite 5 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death of parent, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Suicide

redheadorganist's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, Suicide, Blood, Death, Grief, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Vomit, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Car accident, and Homophobia

Minor: Pedophilia, Child death, and Abortion

abicaro17's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

Ok this was cute. I was kinda skeptical because it's so popular but I enjoyed it! Elizabeth Zott is a chemist who by a series of mishaps becomes the star of a cooking show rooted in chemistry. The cast of characters and all their backgrounds were easy to follow and intriguing. The main themes of embracing change and perseverance despite what anyone says you can or can't do are both incredibly relevant but make sense in the story. I think my problem stems from the formatting/plot progression. I don't think this book really had a third act climax. What I would identify as the attempt wasn't even that climatic. I just think the book reads very flat and slow at times. I haven't seen the show so it might be different but the book would benefit from following traditional plot form. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Death, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Car accident, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Classism, Cursing, Misogyny, Bullying, Stalking, Grief, Sexism, Suicide, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Homophobia

leahdanielle131's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicide, Rape, Sexual harassment, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Vomit, Blood, Domestic abuse, Cursing, and Infidelity

readingqueerly's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

This was very enjoyable. While it was a more dense book than I am used to, the author has a writing style that flows well. It carried the more serious topic and plot of the book really well. 
There were so many moments and feelings of womanhood and being (perceived as) a woman in a patriarchal society that were quite relatable despite the plot taking place just about 65 years ago. This book is a good reminder that we have come far, but we still have quite a ways to go as well. (And that's just white women!) It's a good reminder that you /can/ do whatever you want. You have control over your decisions even if people won't like them or are actively working against you. Do the right thing for you. A sentiment I do believe comes partly out of privilege but still stands nonetheless with the necessary compromise. I guess I would have one critique which is how the last few chapters focused quite some on the man. While the foreshadowing was there and it was a good resolution, it somehow fell out of tune for me with the 70% of the book I just read. A bit disappointing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Death

Minor: Rape and Domestic abuse

knunderb's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! Elizabeth is someone to look up to, mostly. She speaks her mind, she goes for what she wants. But she is also unwilling to compromise or change her mind about things. Everything worked out for her but she really didn't seem to change or grow as a result of her experience. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Death of parent and Death

afternoondreamer's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-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

5.0

This was a wild ride for me. I finished the book soo quickly and couldn't get myself to put it down. Its such an emotional story: funny, sad and anger-inducing at the same time. You really find yourself rooting for the main character and her loved ones. 

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide, Body shaming, Religious bigotry, and Car accident

abias94's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault