dtsuji92's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A feminist book about a scientist in the 1960s who faces discrimination based on gender and her status as an unwed mother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Grief, Death, and Car accident
amy_park's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Not what I expected but a really good read. Going in, there was alot of hype, knowing many people read it during the summer. The cover implies that it would be a light read but don't be fooled! This book has a few dark themes!
I really enjoyed the emotional relationship between Elizabeth and Calvin, their story is beautiful and heartfelt. The writing on friendship and connection was my favourite part of the story, but the overall message of feminism was fabulous and quite refreshing for the time period. The novel is very visual and I can see why it would be great to adapt to screen. Maybe this novel would have been better as a screenplay? However this didn't deter my enjoyment. I would definitely recommend this book and will keep an eye out for future novels by the author.
I really enjoyed the emotional relationship between Elizabeth and Calvin, their story is beautiful and heartfelt. The writing on friendship and connection was my favourite part of the story, but the overall message of feminism was fabulous and quite refreshing for the time period. The novel is very visual and I can see why it would be great to adapt to screen. Maybe this novel would have been better as a screenplay? However this didn't deter my enjoyment. I would definitely recommend this book and will keep an eye out for future novels by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, and Death
booksinherhead's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
Absolutely incredible. Garmus has a way of writing characters that just pulls you into her book. For anyone debating picking this one up, you absolutely will adore Elizabeth and her journey as a chemistry researcher and a television chef. There is just so much heart in this book, I honestly can't put it into words. Just trust me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Death
Moderate: Body shaming and Vomit
Minor: Sexual content
stephykay's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I am a woman in chemistry, so I assume that’s why this book was recommended to me. Although I finished the book, I found it deeply unsatisfying - it not enjoyable and I don’t think it was well written. I read parts and listened to parts. It didn’t help. Whoever the author consulted with is not a chemist working in the life sciences - guess what, there are many subdisciplines within the field of chemistry! The audiobook narrator should have worked with a scientist to learn how to properly pronounce scientific terminology.
The idea of the plot is fine, but the novel would benefit from additional polishing. I also want to add that simply throwing in a mention of Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights movement felt like a cheap ploy to pretend to introduce the issue of race.
The idea of the plot is fine, but the novel would benefit from additional polishing. I also want to add that simply throwing in a mention of Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights movement felt like a cheap ploy to pretend to introduce the issue of race.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Sexism, Car accident, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
Minor: Fatphobia, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Grief, Infidelity, Homophobia, Death, and Domestic abuse
shadowprof15's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
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
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
emmacb's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
How quickly I got through this book probably says something about how much I enjoyed it.
It's relatively light (while dealing with a heavier theme), but sometimes that sort of uplifting but still thoughtful stuff is just what you want!
It's relatively light (while dealing with a heavier theme),
Spoiler
and the ending is pretty fluffy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Rape
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Religious bigotry
cepbreed's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I had doubts, but Lessons in Chemistry turned out to be completely worth the hype. An intriguing premise, a powerful female lead, and a heartfelt exploration of family. All of these factors and more had me hooked from the start. Elizabeth Zott is a character that just feels so full of life. I shut this book and immediately felt like I had just heard a friend's life story told to me in person. Her struggles and triumphs are so endearing that despite being set in a fictional past, every lesson is relevant to my life today. No amount of genre bias could keep me from loving this book.
I learned to love Calvin alongside Elizabeth. That has never happened to me with a character like him. On the surface, he isn't likable, far from it even, but the way he acts and his relationship with Elizabeth charmed me. All a man has to do is take women seriously, that's all. You would think this very basic concept would be intrinsic, but I find out every day that it is not.
Spoiler
The shock that came with Calvin's death is unparalleled. This book is historical fiction, but the shock factor had me feeling even more anxiety than the like of Game of Thrones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content, Car accident, and Medical content
louisegraveyard's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Grief, and Body shaming
sandysmith's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
A really enjoyable historical fiction of woman scientist Elizabeth Zott who faces misogyny in the 1950's/1960's. A scientist who does not want to be married or have children falls in love with Calvin who dies leaving her single and pregnant. She had her research stolen and is fired from her scientist job, but lands herself a TV Cooking show that empowers women. I particularly liked the multiple points of view, especially the dog six thirty Great stuff
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Classism, Death of parent, Sexism, Bullying, Car accident, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Abandonment