Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Lessons in Chemistry

I loved reading this book a lot. Somehow it’s funny, sad, frustrating and hopeful all at the same time. The perspectives of many characters are considered - even the brilliant dog - and you will feel deeply for everyone in the story. I haven’t read anything like this before, I cannot recommend it enough!

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tehstorm's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

4.5

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chrysanthxmum's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

3.75

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pearlmijohns's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

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

3.5

A fun read though occasionally the very 21st century takes broke my emersion a little. But gotta love an undiagnosed autistic female mc and I had a good time reading it.

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kllrbls's review against another edition

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dark inspiring sad medium-paced

3.5

I enjoyed the

biological mom

plot, but I wished that it had been revealed in a more show-don’t-tell manner, rather than having everything spelled out in the last few chapters. I also found Elizabeth's use of chemistry jargon to be sooo extra--it's as if she assumed it was all general knowledge. However, still an interesting read. The relationship plot was particularly exciting.

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vanleeuwenjulie22's review against another edition

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

4.25

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reyap30's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

Read this for my company's book club. Fun take on feminism in the 60s. Was able to connect with the characters. I'm not a pet person but this book had me rooting for the dog.

Felt like the commentary on religion didn't need to be addressed. The trauma these characters faced was very downplayed in terms of how these events could shape their choices and personality.

Wished the ending plot point was expanded on but in all, the happy ending was satisfying.

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genderqueer_hiker's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

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

2.5

I nearly DNF'd at 25%. I could not read this as historical fiction or anything rooted in reality. I was able to finish this and not hate it by placing it into more of a magical realism/fanfic/AU reality. There are no people of color; the villains are hugely dramatic, overplayed, and relatively stupid. It's highly predictable.

It features a very stereotypical autistic-coded woman who never understands humor, sarcasm, or social dynamics. We bury our one gay character without ever even meeting him, and he's only ever used to spur on our main character’s meandering arc. There is a detailed rape in the first ~5% of the book. The author's invasive exposition gives me the impression she thinks we're stupid and irritated me to no end. I was painfully aware that this story is a direct product of its author. The dog is the best part.

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