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lauraew333's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I was sold this as a romance, but it's so much more than that! The main character grows up in the aftermath of second wave feminism and, as a chemist by trade, struggles to gain a place in a aggressively patriarchal United States. It isn't all triumph which makes it all the better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual harassment
louisehall's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
mysterious
slow-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? No
4.0
I would first like to say I would DEFINITELY recommend this book to anyone who is even mildly interested! I picked this back up after a slump and made my way through most of it in a few days because of how fun the novel is. It's written incredibly well written and Garmus is masterful with her comedic timing, I found myself laughing a lot!
I have one personal dislike, and I feel like this might be an unpopular opinion, but I did not love Elizabeth Zott. There were times I did, and I was always rooting for her throughout the novel - she deserved it after all she'd been through! - but there were times I found her love of science too gimmicky I suppose. Maybe its because I read this part the same day I write this, but I'm thinking of how she started talking about the Babylonians when that reporter just asked why her dog was called Six-Thirty. I understand maybe not wanting to explain the personal meaning behind it but there was also no need to be a patronising smart ass š Moments like those were few and far between for me though, and as my rating shows I thoroughly enjoyed this book and LOVED the inspiring message it conveyed. I also loved the character development of Miss Frisk - we've all known a woman like her and it was refreshing to see her grow!
Overall, I'd highly recommend!!
I have one personal dislike, and I feel like this might be an unpopular opinion, but I did not love Elizabeth Zott. There were times I did, and I was always rooting for her throughout the novel - she deserved it after all she'd been through! - but there were times I found her love of science too gimmicky I suppose. Maybe its because I read this part the same day I write this, but I'm thinking of how she started talking about the Babylonians when that reporter just asked why her dog was called Six-Thirty. I understand maybe not wanting to explain the personal meaning behind it but there was also no need to be a patronising smart ass š Moments like those were few and far between for me though, and as my rating shows I thoroughly enjoyed this book and LOVED the inspiring message it conveyed. I also loved the character development of Miss Frisk - we've all known a woman like her and it was refreshing to see her grow!
Overall, I'd highly recommend!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide and Death
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Car accident, and Grief
emi0610's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Iām actually torn on this. It had me heavily invested, I was excited to keep reading for most of it. But at parts it just dragged on soooo much. Also yeah Iāll say it the dog pov annoyed me and freaks me out but hey.
The overall story arch is a tiny bit too messy for me. Iād personally prefer it more condensed and detailed but that is mainly preference.
Also important TW for graphic depictions of rape and sexual assault in this book.
Now saying all this, I still enjoyed this book. It really transported me into the time period or well, what I imagine it to be.
So 3 stars feels a bit harsh but considering how I struggled through the first 100 pages it feels right.
The overall story arch is a tiny bit too messy for me. Iād personally prefer it more condensed and detailed but that is mainly preference.
Also important TW for graphic depictions of rape and sexual assault in this book.
Now saying all this, I still enjoyed this book. It really transported me into the time period or well, what I imagine it to be.
So 3 stars feels a bit harsh but considering how I struggled through the first 100 pages it feels right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
irenegafotas's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Death
chrysanthxmum's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Misogyny
Moderate: Eating disorder, Racism, Bullying, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Car accident, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide, Hate crime, and Sexism
rjratliff's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
Content warnings re: šand ā ļø would have been nice. As always, the dog totally steals the show!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Death
mammd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Pedophilia
hanross94's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, and Sexual assault
cassiealexandra's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
From the opening pages I was pulled into the story of Elizabeth Zott. Her story of being a woman in science during the 1960s, her struggles in the workplace, her demise, and ultimate redemption was darkly funny and had such an interesting third-person point of view. We enter the minds of various characters, including the dog, Six-Thirty, but without any sense that anything is magical or fantastical. Heās just sentient and cares for his people and we get to see that. Can you tell I really liked the dog? I also loved Elizabethās precocious daughter, Mad. I felt a little nod to Matilda except that Madeline has a wonderful attentive mother. There was a kinship I felt to Reverend Wakely, not in his beliefs and doubts but in his workplace fatigue. Working with people in a ministerial position, even the most wonderful people, can be exhausting! In fact, its a bit of a thankless profession in the same way that being a housewife or mother was in the 1960s and still can be today. I loved the way Elizabeth works through her grief and depression, albeit after a long time ignoring it. The family she creates and the people who consider her their best and only friend point to Elizabethās extraordinary ability to see the overlooked and discarded. My enjoyment came down just a tad because I felt the handling of religion and faith was slightly heavy-handed and definitely negative. This didnāt affect my entire view, but I did bring down what might have been a 5-star book for me.
The bottom line: Iām so glad I finally picked this up after numerous recommendations from friends!
ā NOTES ā
Genres: historical, literary
POV: third-person
Content: sexism, rape, sexual harassment
Romance: discussions about sex, nothing explicit I can remember
ā MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS ā
(all out of 5)
Pace: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Craft: 5
Gut: 4.5
Total: 4.625
The bottom line: Iām so glad I finally picked this up after numerous recommendations from friends!
ā NOTES ā
Genres: historical, literary
POV: third-person
Content: sexism, rape, sexual harassment
Romance: discussions about sex, nothing explicit I can remember
ā MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS ā
(all out of 5)
Pace: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Craft: 5
Gut: 4.5
Total: 4.625
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexism