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markalkman's review against another edition
5.0
It made me laugh, cry and explode with anger. A really, really good novel. Highly recommend!
First things first: even though it did make me laugh, don't consider this a comedy. It's not. Definitely not. Is there humour? Yes, loads. But humour doesn't make a comedy.
Boy am I glad I'm not a 30 year old in the '50s & 60s. I definitely would NOT have enjoyed that. So my respect for the women who've managed to accomplish greatness in those times (& before that) just went ALL THE WAY UP. If you can't deal with misogyny, even if it's in historical fiction - then don't read this, because it is INFURIATING. I knew things like this were going to happen, and it still made me angry as hell. Having said that: Elizabeth is a fantastic protagonist who doesn't take shit from no man, and we can definitely learn a thing or two from her.
“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.”
I didn't know what to expect exactly, when I started reading this. I'd read the blurb, obviously, I knew it'd won the Goodreads Choice Award for best debut novel and I knew people were really hyped up about this. So I had to give it a try, to see what all the fuss is about. Well, let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The story was captivating, the characters intriguing and I absolutely loved the writing style as well. It might be just me, but it reminded me of Fredrik Backman (one of my favourite authors). Definitely not exactly the same, but it kind of had the same vibe? If that makes any sense.
Anyhow. I loved this. I loved Elizabeth, Calvin, Mad, Harriet, Six-Thirty, Walter, Dr. Mason, Wakely and even miss Frask. It takes on quite a few heavy topics, and it's definitely big on the chemistry (but not in the way people won't understand, because I, myself, am a chemistry-noob) so maybe not everyone will love this and that's okay. But overall... this was just a really great novel, so for me this definitely is a 5 star read.
First things first: even though it did make me laugh, don't consider this a comedy. It's not. Definitely not. Is there humour? Yes, loads. But humour doesn't make a comedy.
Boy am I glad I'm not a 30 year old in the '50s & 60s. I definitely would NOT have enjoyed that. So my respect for the women who've managed to accomplish greatness in those times (& before that) just went ALL THE WAY UP. If you can't deal with misogyny, even if it's in historical fiction - then don't read this, because it is INFURIATING. I knew things like this were going to happen, and it still made me angry as hell. Having said that: Elizabeth is a fantastic protagonist who doesn't take shit from no man, and we can definitely learn a thing or two from her.
“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.”
I didn't know what to expect exactly, when I started reading this. I'd read the blurb, obviously, I knew it'd won the Goodreads Choice Award for best debut novel and I knew people were really hyped up about this. So I had to give it a try, to see what all the fuss is about. Well, let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The story was captivating, the characters intriguing and I absolutely loved the writing style as well. It might be just me, but it reminded me of Fredrik Backman (one of my favourite authors). Definitely not exactly the same, but it kind of had the same vibe? If that makes any sense.
Anyhow. I loved this. I loved Elizabeth, Calvin, Mad, Harriet, Six-Thirty, Walter, Dr. Mason, Wakely and even miss Frask. It takes on quite a few heavy topics, and it's definitely big on the chemistry (but not in the way people won't understand, because I, myself, am a chemistry-noob) so maybe not everyone will love this and that's okay. But overall... this was just a really great novel, so for me this definitely is a 5 star read.
dclements19's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Homophobia, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
helen_641's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
5.0
soapsoapsoap's review against another edition
1.0
Eeeesh… I was really disappointed by this book. I had SUCH high hopes, and they all came crashing down. …I even bought the European version for this…
⭐️ 1.5 stars, rounded down (changed due to my new rating system)
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
- trigger warnings exist. this book describes 1 rape scene and one attempt at rape scene (both graphically) and has 0, that’s right ZERO trigger warnings.
- the book was marketed all wrong. a “laugh out loud, funny book”? either they marketed wrong or I read a whole nother book because nothing about this book (except six-thirty) mad you laugh out loud.
- every character was so one dimensional. even our main character. her only personality trait is that she’s smart (but is too dumb to ask for help because she’s not like other girls).
- speaking of characters, every girl other than Elizabeth is a dumb, catty, backstabbing, sexist, the list goes on and on. even Harriet keeps convincing (or trying to) Elizabeth to be a housewife and to be more “ladylike”.
- *checks notes* even the men are this way for crying out loud! they’re all misogynistic, douches, thinking with their dicks, EVEN CALVIN! LIKE PLEASE NOT ALL MEN ARE LIKE THIS
⭐️ 1.5 stars, rounded down (changed due to my new rating system)
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
- trigger warnings exist. this book describes 1 rape scene and one attempt at rape scene (both graphically) and has 0, that’s right ZERO trigger warnings.
- the book was marketed all wrong. a “laugh out loud, funny book”? either they marketed wrong or I read a whole nother book because nothing about this book (except six-thirty) mad you laugh out loud.
- every character was so one dimensional. even our main character. her only personality trait is that she’s smart (but is too dumb to ask for help because she’s not like other girls).
- speaking of characters, every girl other than Elizabeth is a dumb, catty, backstabbing, sexist, the list goes on and on. even Harriet keeps convincing (or trying to) Elizabeth to be a housewife and to be more “ladylike”.
- *checks notes* even the men are this way for crying out loud! they’re all misogynistic, douches, thinking with their dicks, EVEN CALVIN! LIKE PLEASE NOT ALL MEN ARE LIKE THIS
bailz05's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
luwicked's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
chocorealis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
maggieshalloe's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️ I really liked this book overall. It was incredibly witty and funny at times, and I loved Elizabeth Zott. There was a couple of things I just wasn’t into, including the dog’s POV, but that’s purely a personal preference thing. Also loved the friendship between Zott and Pine. I’m 2023 it’s still rare to have strong platonic relationships between a man and woman in books
mariasaracco's review against another edition
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
thatbreebaum's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
5.0