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
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
julied's review
challenging
lighthearted
sad
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? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Grief, and Rape
leckner_library's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Rape, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
jnterhune's review
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Really enjoyed this book, definitely some serious trigger warnings. I found some parts dark but found it really realistic and relatable. Very true life feeling story and interesting to see her journey through it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Rape
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
csl4240's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! It really surprised me as I thought initially that I may not even be into it all that much but needed to read it as it was so popular. So glad I was wrong and just want there to be so much more on Elizabeth, 630, and Mad! May be one of my favorite books actually! Everyone needs an Elizabeth in their lives. Someone who just isn’t afraid to say how it is, what needs to be done and just encourage you to do your best. She is a strong female lead who is not afraid of breaking the standards at the time, even even in current times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Suicide
Minor: Bullying, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
luise96's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Sexual assault
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
thewellreadlabrador's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Pregnancy, Death, Sexism, Suicide, Grief, Misogyny, and Death of parent
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
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.
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.
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