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gothamballer39's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I'm so glad I stuck it out, though, because it paid off heavily in the end.
I cried so much for Elizabeth as well as every woman who has been told she "isn't smart enough" or the other myriad ways to say "less than".
The shifting perspectives (especially Six-Thirty's) made for a well-fleshed out and nuanced build up of the story and I really appreciated the blunt characterizations and descriptions.
I can see why this book has been hyped up so much.
It was well worth the read.
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide and Sexual violence
patch22's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
poisonviolet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief and Sexism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Death
annierosebel's review against another edition
5.0
The pacing was great and it really succeeded in the balance of day-to-day life and plot-driving moments.
Elizabeth is such a great character - she seems neurodivergent-coded to me and I love her. Six thirty, BEST boy.
I also love the idea of women supporting women and how complex that can be - there isn't always a simple answer.
I am quite happy to suspend belief for a story as long as it isn't ridiculous, so things that other people say are 'soap opera esque' don't bother me too much. I also kept forgetting it wasn't set in modern day in a super conservative area, which, yikes.
I don't disagree that Elizabeth has a load of privilege being white, straight, and 'pretty', but I think this book already covered a lot and the subtle mentions of this were pretty than risking awkward, heavy-handed, bad content.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
trickstercast's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
bseigel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
ehknits's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Violence
easlan's review against another edition
Moderate: Sexual violence and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide
ilzabet's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse
bites_of_books's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Narratively there were a couple of things that seemed a bit forced, things that took me out of the story because they were presented in a way that just didn't fully work for me. That being said, I think the characters were really unique and interesting with really complex motivations. I liked the outspoken main character who sticks to her values and doesn't let romance or anything else get in the way of the things that matter most to her.
All in all this is a story of a chemist who happens to be a woman in the 1950s and all the obstacles that she must overcome to reach her goals. On the way she finds love, family, and friends, which was quite satisfying to read about. However, it's not an easy read there are difficult topics that are pretty hard to read so do check content warnings before reading!
Graphic: Car accident, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Blood, Child abuse, and Suicide