Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

104 reviews

akane_shio's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Death

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, Suicide, Sexual violence, Vomit, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

erinreadsbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Car accident, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Vomit

mybluebookshelf's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

I almost skipped this one because I was worried it was over hyped. In the end, it had some weird issues but overall it was a heartwarming story. The beginning of the book was sort of rough, both due to the r*pe description and the sort of elementary writing style. I also sort of chafed at the this-woman-is-different-and-special tone, which eased up throughout the book. I do think the plot could have been handled a little more neatly (was he abused by priests or not? Am I dumb for not understanding that?) but it was engaging. I would classify this as a beach read but not actually one to read at the beach, because it did make me cry a couple times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

brittbroadwood's review

emotional inspiring medium-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? Yes

4.0

This book felt like a similar vibe to hidden figures. There were points in the story I found myself getting a little bored, but overall very inspiring and honest depiction of women’s experiences  (surprisingly similar to now)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Death and Vomit

Minor: Cannibalism, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

r_clark's review

emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Sexism

Moderate: Rape and Child abuse

Minor: Child death

gracegawn's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Death

Minor: Child abuse, Car accident, and Death of parent

jaduhluhdabooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Pregnancy, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Car accident, Death, and Death of parent

avadore's review against another edition

funny tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Didn't win any points with me for so many perspective changes happening mid-chapters, but extremely readable and got me hooked to see if we were going full disaster or full Dickens for the ending. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Grief, Sexual assault, Death, Misogyny, Suicide, and Child abuse

sineadherself's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Writing: The writing and structure can be a bit choppy at times though ultimately it is a solid offering.

Much like the food Elizabeth makes, you will find nothing fancy here, but it gets the job done.

For those who like a bit more nuance in their writing they may find this story laid down with too blunt of an edge.

Character: The main character, Elizabeth Zott, remains consistent throughout and she will remain a fixture in your mind for a time after you've finished the last page.

However, some core supporting characters seemingly undergo personality transformations half way through and then, a little later, revert back to their original selves. No explanation is given for this and so it is quite jarring.

Plot: A woman in the 1950s & 1960s trying to exist in a world that doesn't understand her all while she continues to strive to be taken seriously.

Reading Experience: Ultimately, a pleasant read that leaves a lasting impression.

Overall: A decent book not without some problems but one that will ultimately entertain and possibly intrigue the reader.

Stars: 3.5 ⭐

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Ableism, and Death

Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape

Minor: Pedophilia, Suicide, and Child abuse

It's never mentioned in the book but if you know what you are looking at, Elizabeth, Calvin, & Madeline all read very much as autistic. The way Elizabeth talks about chemistry and illustrates how it is the prism through which she understands life is honestly beautiful. However, the way those around Elizabeth (and Madeline) treat them may be difficult to read for some autistic people. It reminded me of nothing more than the assessment for autism diagnosis. That is to say, a litany of all the ways being autistic has annoyed, angered, and otherwise bothered OTHER people. If you aren't in a place to read that kind of content, I'd skip this.

lindsayst's review

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexism

Moderate: Suicide and Rape

Minor: Child abuse