A review by beccaj11
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

Fast paced, excellent characters. A fascinating dive into being a woman in the 50s and in particular being a woman in STEM in the 50s. I really enjoyed the characters and each of their development. I didn’t necessarily like them all, but they had a lot of depth and felt like fully formed characters that I could offer compassion to and root for. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Grief, Sexism, and Death

Moderate: Rape, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy

Minor: Medical trauma, Suicide, and Homophobia

ADDING ON TO CONTENT WARNING - SPOILER AHEAD

For anyone who has a lost a partner (or even just lost someone in a sudden way), the handling of the death of a significant character in this book was jarring and a bit callous. The way it was described fit the tone of the book and the way the characters would describe things. But there is a scene they describe of a funeral home employee forcing the character’s stiff body into a funeral suit and I found it very upsetting. Having lost someone recently, it felt a bit careless and unnecessarily cold.