Reviews

Okay, this one has been on my TBR forever with such raving recommendations. It was a slowwww start, but loved the final 3/4ths. Taking place in the 1960s, Elizabeth (and other secondary women) struggle to find themselves in a time of sexism and created families.

The dialogue and inner dialogue made this audiobook engaging. Even the dog had a voice!

wibblethefisch's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

lisamccabe01's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny 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? Yes

4.75

s_mivsek's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring 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

badattentionspan_reader's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

3.5

Not my usual genre. I'm glad I gave it a go though.

Elizabeth is a baddie. Having to put up with the bs of a man's world 60-70 years ago sounds exhausting. Everyone thinking she's riding her boyfriend's coat tail and men taking advantage of her and her smarts left and right. It was tough to read, because sometimes I still feel that way in the world today.

I am in disagreement with a lot of people that Elizabeth isn't a relatable character. Her ridiculous logic and rationality is me.

One of the things that bothered me was how much it hopped around. I was confused a few times because we'd randomly be transported into a memory and then go back to the "present" and it was spotty and hard to follow at times.

heatherbrt's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.0

popgoesbitty's review against another edition

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4.0

CWs: rape, suicide, sexual abuse involving a child

I'm confident had I not read this through the last miserable days of my pregnancy, in the throws of a 24 hour labor, and during the first few exhausting days with a newborn, it may have become one of my favorite books of all time. However, some really unfair associations on my end prevented me from enjoying its full potential. But even with all that looming over me as I read, I can still say Lessons in Chemistry was an exceptionally good book.

Though the cover suggests a lighter read, know that this was a truly character-driven piece of literary fiction that dives into some dark stuff. That said, it's also hilarious. I don't often laugh out loud as I read, but this one had me howling. Elizabeth is an incredible protagonist and every other character she touches is made better by her presence.

There were a couple things about the book I could've done without. I thought the dog as a "character" was a little over the top and even shoved the book over into fantastical territory at times. It felt out of place. I wished the cooking show entered the plot a little sooner than 60-ish% of the way through the book, but that's probably due to my being a plot-driven gal.

Overall, Lessons in Chemistry is a book that requires patience but has a huge payoff and is written exceptionally well.

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