A review by gin_n_bonic
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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

4.0

This was a tough read but it captured some things very well: grief, perseverance, frustration, devastation and fatigue. The whole book was like running a race; which perhaps was the point.
A woman in the sixties trying to raise a child on her own after her career was ruined and used afterwards by idiot coworkers, thrust into a job that she barely likes, all while dealing with her grief of losing her partner.

Some parts were heartbreaking to read, some had sharp tongue in cheek dark humor and thank God for the dog. I thought the main MC was one track minded which flattened her out a bit but reading of how she was before and after helped make her seem more 'full.' I think the end was equal parts frustrating and perfect. So many characters deserved better than what life had given them.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings