Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Lessons in Chemistry

Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

288 reviews

brazenbookbabe's review against another edition

4.0

This book had a lot of trauma in it. The young child character was maybe too precocious for their age. But outside of those things, I enjoyed it.

Content Warnings

janwe's review

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Triggerwarning+spoiler

-10 ⭐... WTF... Apart from being absolutely ridiculous and flat... It really annoyed the hell out of me. "Had to" read it for a book club.. But I just can't... Dnfd it at the 2. sexual assault scene... That is supposed to be feminist satire set in the 50s and 60s? Yeah.. RIGHT... I think sexual assault is really funny - LOL... Wtf...

Spoiler:

the female protagonist gets sexual assoulted for the 2nd time (first time brutally raped!!) and, when this Harvey Weinstein-kind-of-type-TV-Producer pulls down his pants... Her reaction to it is this?:

"she shook her head in wonder. She had no idea why men believed women found male genitalia impressive or scary"

... Wtf!? NO just NO!!! I regret sooo much that this author! got any money from me, because I unfortunately PAID MONEY FOR THIS PIECE OF SHIT!!!

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fazazzle's review

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

I purchased this book in anticipation of the Apple TV adaptation starring Brie Larson, but I really wish I didn’t. I’ve seen this title circulate around for years and hailed as a terrific piece of literature, but I truly do not agree.

While there are some redeeming qualities to this book (i.e., most of Six-Thirty’s POVs, the reveals at the end, and the development of the main romance), I could not wholeheartedly get behind this book.

Spoiler

The turning point for me was about 95 pages in, when we witness Calvin’s death. I don’t think that this death was meaningless (it was hinted from the beginning, so we did know it was coming), but the exaggerated, violent description of his death is really unnecessary. I don’t think that being needlessly cruel in the specifics of Calvin’s death really does much for the story or even the character development of outside characters.

Also, I know that this story takes place in the 1960s, but the feminist perspective felt very one-dimensional and was really ineffective for me. Honestly, it was kind of textbook White Feminism. I think that a lot more could have been done with these characters and this story if the feminism dared to dig a little deeper. Although I did enjoy the way that the cooking shows impacted the female audience members, I think that ultimately a lot of the messages fall a little flat.

Ultimately, I don’t think I would really recommend this book to others. Although the writing style was (at times) interesting and there were some nice moments, I don’t really think this book will stand the test of time.

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corndogqueeen's review

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3.5

I loved the writing and some of the story, but I didn't really find myself all that engaged towards the ending? I don't know. I think I just had suuuper high expectations. If I'd just picked this up at the library knowing nothing about it I probably would've loved it. There was a lot I loved about it, to be fair, but the story overall kinda fell flat for me. I didn't feel like the story was really fully wrapped up and that always puts a damper on the entire book for me.

Also....

Spoiler

I can believe that people had the thoughts they all had, but you're telling me nearly every single person throughout both Calvin and Elizabeth's lives was a huge evil meanie? Like everyone was just pure mean af to both of them to their faces I feel like perhaps people didn't say those things. If only one character did this I wouldn't think anything of it but I kept thinking hmmm so literally everyyyyy person in their entire lives was their arch nemesis? Alright

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samanthacorwin's review

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funny slow-paced

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

3.5

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akswhy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful tense fast-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? No

3.5

Diverting enough for its feminism, but some of the things characters get away with and the “small world” connections are too far-fetched. I’ll be interested to see how it’s adapted by AppleTV.

Content Warnings