A review by dystopia
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I am in two minds with this book: as a work of fiction it is entertaining and easy to enjoy. But personally, I didn’t like the gender politics of the book and it took me out of the book too many times. I would categorise this book as a work of post feminism: a “look how far we’ve come” that diminishes how hard it still is under patriarchy. By Elizabeth in explicable having opinions and discourses from the 21st century it further contrasts the “look how bad things used to be and better now”. Two other things I felt odd: while the book was seemingly set in our universe I did not understand the point of the unrealistic intelligence of Madeline and (while extremely endearing) six thirty. The book left me with frustrations that I think will last longer to me than the enjoyment of the plot. 
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