Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

48 reviews

cnsnape's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I'm usually the first to say I don't read historical fiction, and that's because I have the distorted view that History means novels about young women in Victorian London, struggling to survive on the streets until a wealthy handsome man takes pity on them, gives them a servants job and invariably falls in love with her.  This book couldn't be further away from that synopsis if it tried.

It's set in the 1960's, hence the historical.  But it's based in America and Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant, resourceful woman all on her own.  She has no need or want for a man to rescue her and her primary focus is science.  There is an element of romance in there as her path crosses that of Calvin Evans, another brilliant scientist who falls for not only Elizabeth's looks but predominantly, her scientific brain.  They can communicate with each other on the same level and soon they are inseparable but Elizabeth refuses to get married.  They even have a dog named Six-Thirty because that's the time they adopted him, or rather he adopted them.  He was an abandoned bomb sniffer dog and has the ability to pick things up exceptionally quickly, which is helpful to Elizabeth when she's left alone and pregnant

Spoiler

when Calvin dies unexpectedly.

Struggling to make ends meet, she tries going back to the science lab she was earlier fired from (for being a pregnant single woman, it is the 60's remember) but was taken on only as a lab assistant (glorified tea-maker) and quits in disgust.  After a run-in with the single father of one of her daughter's classmates Walter Pine, who happens to be a TV producer looking for his next big production.  He and Elizabeth end up creating 'Supper at Six', a cooking show aimed at housewives but Elizabeth in her own revolutionary way (and often at Walter's discomfort) ends up not only using scientific terms to cook but helping and inspiring women all over the country.

I loved Elizabeth's character and spirit, she didn't let anything or anyone, especially not a man, hold her back or tell her what to do or not to do.  She was first and foremost a scientist, the fact she was female was neither here nor there to her and she refused to conform to male sexist standards, either in the lab or out of it.

I also loved how we often saw the lives of Elizabeth, Calvin and their daughter Mad, through the eyes of Six-Thirty, the dog.  He made astute observations and saved the day more than once.  I wasn't that keen on the daughter Mad.  I know there are genius children out there but I just couldn't quite buy into the fact she was one and that she was conversing with adults often above their level, let alone a five-year-old child.

Overall, a very entertaining story and an unusual premise.  I might even watch the TV show if I get a chance.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Blood, Death, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Rape

Minor: Vomit, Domestic abuse, and Car accident

kimmy0__0's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

I loved this book and loved the character Elizabeth Zott. This is a great representation of what women during that time frame and continue to struggle with in the world (certainty not to the same extent). There are great characters who steal your heart and you can't help but root for as they struggle through the ups and downs of life. I ADORED the chapters/insights from 6:30's perspective ❤️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Grief, and Rape

Minor: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Cursing

rkreads's review

challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Grief, Blood, Death, and Pregnancy

Minor: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Suicide

kmac14's review

sad tense slow-paced

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Body horror, Death, and Sexual assault

scmiller's review

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Death

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Hate crime, Cursing, Classism, Car accident, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

Minor: Domestic abuse, Blood, Vomit, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Car accident, Child death, and Cannibalism

kjboldon's review

fast-paced

3.0

Lots of trigger warnings. A fast read, often funny, weirdly shifting in tone, that felt rather packaged to me, like it had been forced into a similar narrative to Where'd You Go Bernadette? Excellent dog character and dog POV though. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Bullying, and Rape

Minor: Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Vomit, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Misogyny, and Abandonment

nightingale25's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Suicide, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, and Vomit

ecmiller's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Rape

Moderate: Body shaming, Blood, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Pregnancy

Minor: Medical content, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Car accident, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry

vj_thompson's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This book 🥹 I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would and wish more people would read it, or at least give it a chance!! 

There is a reason this is a five star read. This writing is beautiful, intentional, and meaningful. Each word was written with purpose. Everything in this story; backstory, inner monologue, character, had reason. I LOVED how everything was wrapped up in the end. Of course I cried 😭 Ugh, please read!! 

Last thought, Six-thirty is my favorite character. I highlighted so many of his parts. He is a wise dog. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Misogyny, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Grief

Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Vomit, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, and Suicide

Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, and Child death

arrow3002's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

 Lessons in Chemistry is a tale of a bad ass woman working against a very prejudice world, and I am absolutely here for it. It was such a fun read, and I really enjoyed the way Bonnie was able to tell Elizabeth's story through all the different chapters of her life. Throughout the book it will occasionally switch to a different character's perspective, and I found myself quite enjoying the change in pace. It added a lot more to the narrative instead of confusing the reader in the guise of character development. The women empowerment, that is the main driving force behind this book, was beautifully done. There were many points where I felt that gender discrimination was handled in a very elegant yet profound way that I don't see often. There is so much in this book that makes it a genuinely great read. I devoured the book in a couple of hours and was left feeling very satisfied with how everything played out in the end. Also, Elizabeth and Calvin’s relationship had my heart absolutely melting, and let’s not forget the absolute legend that is Six Thirty. I fell in love with all the characters and felt such a strong connection with each and every one of them, which is a very hard to accomplish. Despite all the good, there were a couple of personal issues I had with the book that kept it from being a 5 star. I will start of by saying I am bias when it comes to the topic I will be bringing up, and I understand that everyone will have a different opinion, and that is more than totally okay and welcomed. But I felt that there was a strong anti-religion message continued throughout the whole entirety of the story, specifically anti-Catholic. There were a lot of times that I felt like I was being ridiculed for my beliefs and a lot of the stereo types often circulated about the catholic church were very much present in the book. I will not deny that the things that occur in the book definitely do happen and are not right in ANY way. But if you are a person of faith, there is a lot said in the book that you will probably find very hurtful due to the point of view the author is coming from. I am a huge believer in the power behind science and how important it is to the betterment of everyone, but I also hold my religious beliefs at the same importance. I totally believe that you can rely on science AND God at the same time. Again, I understand where the author and the main character is coming from, and in no way invalidating their beliefs or experience. It just took away from the enjoyment I was having with the book so much so that I felt a need to comment on it. If you do not like the book then stop reading it and move on, but it is a point I want to acknowledge for those who are religious and want to read the book. Again, other than my problem with how the church is portrayed, the story is an empowering and inspiring tale of a women in STEM and had me feeling empowered by the end of it. I will definitely suggest this book to anyone who comes to me asking for a fun and witty read that will keep them from wanting to put it down. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Sexism, Classism, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Suicide, Blood, and Child abuse

Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Confinement, and Gun violence