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dropout's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Sad and relatable. inspiring, honest and charming.
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual assault
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Abortion
booksense's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, and Sexual harassment
stargazer_sarah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying
chronic_listener's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Abandonment
jillaay_h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
zoiejanelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
i did not expect this book to impact me so much! i love women’s fiction, but i tend to prefer more literary works than this. there was a very clear timeline and plot, which i appreciated, and though the book covered serious topics, the tone was mostly lighthearted.
the POVs in this book were absolutely incredible. i LOVED getting 6:30’s perspective, and the type of head hopping that would normally
bother me was used very strategically and successfully!
there was a HEAVY dose of found family here that i did not expect at all. i welled up in tears many times over during scenes where Mad and Elizabeth got to experience the love and support of their own little community.
also, i SHOUTED when the
i can definitely see how this book lends itself to a TV series, which i plan on watching! overall, this was a really fun and interesting read outside my comfort zone.
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Abortion, and Alcohol
kailiyahknight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, and Death of parent
my_personal_escape's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Car accident, and Abandonment
dariadanley's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.5
As a woman in STEM, I was drawn to this book, especially because I am also a chemist. When I originally picked up the book, I was unsure how a chemist turned into a TV personality, and I wondered if Zott's scientific explanations of food would seem disingenuous.
I was very very wrong.
Not only did Garmus bring in outside counselors to advise her on the field, but she wove everything together neatly from beginning to end. The amount of foreshadowing in this was outrageous and very well done. I could not have seen the ending coming the way it did. I understood that Wilson would be involved, but not Avery Parker. It took a turn that I didn't expect.
The characters are what really sold this for me. Elements of the relationship between Elizabeth and Calvin are what I strive for. Yet another unattainable expectation for my dating life. When Calvin died, it hit like a punch in the gut. Harriet added a level of support that went beyond friendship, but sisterhood instead. Walter was the face of reason that showed Elizabeth the harsh realities of the world (which I'll expand on in a second). Mrs. Mudford reminded me of my own teacher, who sought to reduce brilliant and curious female minds to nothing. *Fuck you Provost*
The writing itself was so nice. Garmus slid through each perspective with ease and grace, without giving too much away from her narration style. Even Six-Thirty had his own unique voice and style. The foreshadowing, once again, was marvelous.
On to my critique that stands out first:
Elizabeth was almost a caricature of a female with a brain. Maybe that was intentional to show a hint of autism, but I didn't like it all that much. She didn't have to want kids or want to get married, but Elizabeth leaned into the stereotype that smart people (not just women) lack social skills. She thought the world constantly revolved around herself. Her time at Supper at Six showed this. The kitchen had to be up to her specifications. She could do whatever she wanted, without the fear of losing her job. Did she not think that being unwilling to compromise or saying certain things would put her job in jeopardy, and thus Madeline as well? In certain aspects, she didn't consider the consequences of her actions, and she thought she was better than those around her.
Similarly, the ending was rushed. It felt like it ended prematurely. Where was Elizabeth's growth? Her forgiveness towards herself? She still harbors the guilt of Calvin's death, seven years later. She does not have to believe in God, but she never removed the hard shell and realized that things happen beyond someone's control, and beyond the laws of science. In looking for an explanation, she holds a grudge against herself (haha that's ironic). She never forgave herself, or came to terms with the uncertainty of the world. I thought that growth was much needed.
I also thought Madeline might have more of a role in the story, when she was more of a side character. Was there even a scene of Mad and Elizabeth bonding as mother ans daughter?
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It made me believe in myself again.
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
ksilvio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail