dtsuji92's review against another edition
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
tibbarasden's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I loved this book! I really enjoyed the way the author highlighted female gender stereotypes (especially in that time period) along with neurodivergent characters. Even though it had some heavier topics, there was a certain lightness to the story with quirky humor and Six-thirty. I really enjoyed the way the main character viewed motherhood and how that view evolved throughout the story. The way the author presented the patriarchal society and problematic men while highlighting the good men was also well balanced. I'm looking forward to a reread of this one soon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Rape, and Sexism
itsanniebaker's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, and Rape
Moderate: Suicide, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexism
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
akane_shio's review against another edition
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
booksinherhead's review against another edition
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
jcstokes95's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
[light spoilers ahead]
My main thought is that this book’s marketing is absolutely catastrophically bad. What I went in expecting and what I left with is like…a gap the size of the Grand Canyon. If someone told you this book was light-hearted, or funny, or inspirational, they are off their fucking rocker. Here is a list of thinks that happens in this book: a rape, untimely death of a partner, another attempted rape, being called a cunt in the workplace, child abuse. So…maybe the marketing team should take another run at this one.
I had a hard time in the first half of this book because it was an enraging bummer. You spend most of your reading experience furious with he men that Elizabeth Zott works with. I believe that the author does this in service of making it easier to sympathize with her. But, somehow, she never becomes a character that I liked. Which is maybe fine, women are allowed to be unlikable characters. But I feel like the story wants us to like her spunk and alternative worldviews. We’re supposed to be rooting for her, and we are, but I also found myself very glad I didn’t have to ever work with her. She seems self-involved and straight up rude. Now, there will be a contingent of people who, in response to this, will say that she is clearly coded as neurodivergent. (me too bro) I would say, that does not make up for her being kind of a prick.
The good news is, everyone else in the book is a prick too. So, I guess by comparison this is fine. Now, it’s happening again, I’m writing a negative sounding review but you can see I am rating this a 3.5, which is not a bad number. So, I have to say, despite everything, this still does a lot of things right.
Mainly, it is a fucking page turner. I always wanted to know how things for these people would turn out, which is a miracle because I would also argue way too much was going on. Because I was very much rooting for the bad folks to be cleaved in half by the hand of God. And we do get some of that emotional payoff. And that does feel spectacular. This is a book of good and evil for sure. There is very little room for nuance. I don’t have a problem with that, black and white thinking can bring maximum catharsis in a book. I will say, man, what a convoluted and rushed ending, but no matter.
I guess what I am saying is, I am not sure how I feel about this book. I read it two month ago, and thought I’d have more coherent thoughts by now, but I don’t. But I also feel like I could talk about it for hours. And there is value in that. I am interested in making my mom who worked in a lab in the 80s read it and tell me if it feel true to life. I can appreciate it’s representation of women in STEM fields and the small ways women are pandered to like they are morons in media. I don’t know. I will say, I am going to have a fun time reading other reviews of this. Bonnie Garmus gave us a lot to talk about, so much respect to her for that.
My main thought is that this book’s marketing is absolutely catastrophically bad. What I went in expecting and what I left with is like…a gap the size of the Grand Canyon. If someone told you this book was light-hearted, or funny, or inspirational, they are off their fucking rocker. Here is a list of thinks that happens in this book: a rape, untimely death of a partner, another attempted rape, being called a cunt in the workplace, child abuse. So…maybe the marketing team should take another run at this one.
I had a hard time in the first half of this book because it was an enraging bummer. You spend most of your reading experience furious with he men that Elizabeth Zott works with. I believe that the author does this in service of making it easier to sympathize with her. But, somehow, she never becomes a character that I liked. Which is maybe fine, women are allowed to be unlikable characters. But I feel like the story wants us to like her spunk and alternative worldviews. We’re supposed to be rooting for her, and we are, but I also found myself very glad I didn’t have to ever work with her. She seems self-involved and straight up rude. Now, there will be a contingent of people who, in response to this, will say that she is clearly coded as neurodivergent. (me too bro) I would say, that does not make up for her being kind of a prick.
The good news is, everyone else in the book is a prick too. So, I guess by comparison this is fine. Now, it’s happening again, I’m writing a negative sounding review but you can see I am rating this a 3.5, which is not a bad number. So, I have to say, despite everything, this still does a lot of things right.
Mainly, it is a fucking page turner. I always wanted to know how things for these people would turn out, which is a miracle because I would also argue way too much was going on. Because I was very much rooting for the bad folks to be cleaved in half by the hand of God. And we do get some of that emotional payoff. And that does feel spectacular. This is a book of good and evil for sure. There is very little room for nuance. I don’t have a problem with that, black and white thinking can bring maximum catharsis in a book. I will say, man, what a convoluted and rushed ending, but no matter.
I guess what I am saying is, I am not sure how I feel about this book. I read it two month ago, and thought I’d have more coherent thoughts by now, but I don’t. But I also feel like I could talk about it for hours. And there is value in that. I am interested in making my mom who worked in a lab in the 80s read it and tell me if it feel true to life. I can appreciate it’s representation of women in STEM fields and the small ways women are pandered to like they are morons in media. I don’t know. I will say, I am going to have a fun time reading other reviews of this. Bonnie Garmus gave us a lot to talk about, so much respect to her for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexual assault
julied's review against another edition
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
kassie_rankin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
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 heard mostly great things about Lessons in Chemistry. I was thrilled when I won the book in a giveaway from @blackgalsandnerdypals on Instagram.
Lessons in Chemistry follows Chemist Elizabeth Zott through her life. Starting in the early 1960s, we follow her career on an all-male team at a research institute, her relationship with her partner, parenthood, and an unpredictable career change that is daring to confront the status quo.
I really struggled with this book. Through all the promotions and recommendations, I saw it was ‘hilarious and fun.’ Which I just could not see or understand after the main character was raped within the first 50 (I think) pages.
What I enjoyed:
- The concept of the book is immaculate. We follow a woman in the 1960s and her life as a feminist, a scientist, a mother, and a television star.
- The covers. Both the US and the UK versions are glorious! I would own both cover options if I had enjoyed the book more. They both focus on the main points of the story, but it is interesting to see the different points that each focuses in on.
- Mad Zott. She was adorably cute. Reminded me of a gender-swapped Young Sheldon. Very excited to see her in the TV Show adaptation.
What I did not enjoy:
- I felt like Elizabeth was taken from 2023 and placed in the 1960s with her monologues.
- The dog’s POV. It’s a cute idea, just not what I wanted in this style of book.
I believe this book has its place on many bookshelves, just not my bookshelf…
If you have this book on your TBR, I recommend reading it to see how you feel and come to your own conclusion!
I will be watching the TV Show to see if I will enjoy it more because I love this concept!
*About the Show* When I read this book, I could only picture Brie Larson as the main character. I am very glad that she was cast.
I was not prepared for Calvin’s death. I did cry a lot. I felt heartbroken for everyone in the story.
Lessons in Chemistry follows Chemist Elizabeth Zott through her life. Starting in the early 1960s, we follow her career on an all-male team at a research institute, her relationship with her partner, parenthood, and an unpredictable career change that is daring to confront the status quo.
I really struggled with this book. Through all the promotions and recommendations, I saw it was ‘hilarious and fun.’ Which I just could not see or understand after the main character was raped within the first 50 (I think) pages.
What I enjoyed:
- The concept of the book is immaculate. We follow a woman in the 1960s and her life as a feminist, a scientist, a mother, and a television star.
- The covers. Both the US and the UK versions are glorious! I would own both cover options if I had enjoyed the book more. They both focus on the main points of the story, but it is interesting to see the different points that each focuses in on.
- Mad Zott. She was adorably cute. Reminded me of a gender-swapped Young Sheldon. Very excited to see her in the TV Show adaptation.
What I did not enjoy:
- I felt like Elizabeth was taken from 2023 and placed in the 1960s with her monologues.
- The dog’s POV. It’s a cute idea, just not what I wanted in this style of book.
I believe this book has its place on many bookshelves, just not my bookshelf…
If you have this book on your TBR, I recommend reading it to see how you feel and come to your own conclusion!
I will be watching the TV Show to see if I will enjoy it more because I love this concept!
*About the Show* When I read this book, I could only picture Brie Larson as the main character. I am very glad that she was cast.
Spoiler
I enjoyed the second half of the story more than the first half.I was not prepared for Calvin’s death. I did cry a lot. I felt heartbroken for everyone in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Rape
lindsykay12's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, and Death