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heiparra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As someone who has studied American women’s history I like how the downsides of being a “picture perfect” housewife are accurately portrayed here.
Minus one star because I feel like this could qualify as a white feminism work. The civil rights movement is mentioned briefly once, and not a single Black woman or POC is in this book. (Although I come to understand Harriet is a Black woman in the TV adaptation)
To the people saying too many “bad things were piling up”: congrats, you just described how depression happens. And yes things were brutally bad in the 1960s compared to today. No, it is not rare to find out a woman was SA’d and had her work stolen in a scholarly field during that time period, hell even today! Please leave your bubble and take a history lesson before saying otherwise.
Minus one star because I feel like this could qualify as a white feminism work. The civil rights movement is mentioned briefly once, and not a single Black woman or POC is in this book. (Although I come to understand Harriet is a Black woman in the TV adaptation)
To the people saying too many “bad things were piling up”: congrats, you just described how depression happens. And yes things were brutally bad in the 1960s compared to today. No, it is not rare to find out a woman was SA’d and had her work stolen in a scholarly field during that time period, hell even today! Please leave your bubble and take a history lesson before saying otherwise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse and Suicide
morriganfeyre's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Domestic abuse and Suicide
megafayray's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Recommended by Rob, this is an excellent book! There were so many times I went to write down a line from the book, only to discover that it was an entire scene that was so incredibly well done that I wanted to hold onto the whole thing.
I loved the neighbour, Harriet, the most. Her strong personality and how she swept into the Zott family felt like wind.
A particularly memorable line that Elizabeth Zott insisted on was "There's no such thing as an average housewife". I really appreciated the views on what it's like being a mother - oftentimes the struggles aren't shared as much as I think they should be, and there's enormous community and camaraderie in sharing.
I loved the neighbour, Harriet, the most. Her strong personality and how she swept into the Zott family felt like wind.
A particularly memorable line that Elizabeth Zott insisted on was "There's no such thing as an average housewife". I really appreciated the views on what it's like being a mother - oftentimes the struggles aren't shared as much as I think they should be, and there's enormous community and camaraderie in sharing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
piquareste's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
4.0
Interesting! This was an engaging read that I was happy to sit and read straight through. Was quite invested in the characters, especially in Elizabeth and her unbreakable backbone even through everything she endures. I found some of the empathetic side characters endearing and very welcome — the producer, the minister, the neighbour — all of whom give a much needed respite from the relentless sexism and repression in the rest of the cast. I did feel like the framing of the feminist thinking too on-the-nose, especially in the beginning, when the book seemed to want to remind me repeatedly that the story was set in the backwards 1950s.
Mind the content warnings. I was personally okay for most of it but had to flip quickly through one rape scene, which I hadn't anticipated.
Mind the content warnings. I was personally okay for most of it but had to flip quickly through one rape scene, which I hadn't anticipated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Car accident
notnaomie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
I finally was able to finish this book after starting it earlier this year. Things got ahead of me and only now in recent times I got back into reading and have made more time for it. I was shocked at all the things she went through to get to where she is now. I feel like this book fights for change and to challenge those to go for what they believe in and to not let anyone tell you otherwise. It felt like it was similar to what people are fighting for today. Overall, a great read. I also believe there is a show based off of this book and from what I remember it is Brie Larson as the main character. I imagined her as I was reading this book. That's my next show for sure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Death of parent
yvette_m's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
greenan26's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Suicide, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts
summerdecembers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, Car accident, and Gaslighting
emmas_shelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book although I do believe it is missing some trigger warnings, [I did listen to the audiobook and so maybe they are in the printed version?] As a result, I think I found the first few hours of listening felt like I was experiencing emotional whiplash - sexism, science, feminism and utter tragedy all in the first third of the novel? Albeit, safe to say I was hooked as a result as I immediately felt connected to the characters of Calvin and Elizabeth.
I liked the historical context of this book being in the 60s and thus the themes of second wave feminism in its earlier forms. However, I do feel like this book didn't fully touch on intersectionality as much as it could have - although the author does mention intersectionality in the interview attached to the end of the audiobook which I thought was really insightful. I didn't realise this is a debut novel for the author, nor did I realise they were published later in their writing life. I think having the context of knowing she wanted to write about her mother's generation helped. Also she isn't a chemist, which considering how much chemistry knowledge is in this book is very impressive!
I almost want to join a book club to discuss the themes, difference scenes which popped up and I am wanting to watch the Apple TV series now to almost re-read/ go over this story again. There were some harder scenes to listen to but key themes of gender, workplace harassment, domestic violence, media, woman empowerment.
I think this book also had some whimsy aspects of it, none more so than having Six-Thirty the dog and thus an additional, unexpected POV to read from. It was an interesting creative decision but I didn't find myself hating it - although I know from reading other reviews, it wasn't to other people's taste.
Whilst one can read LIC and think 'it's at least not as bad for us(meaning women/ female-presenting people) nowadays' - I also think it is the point of the book to highlight how there are still too many similarities between Elizabeth Zott's reality and today. Which I also think is exactly the point, I am glad I read this book as its outside what I normally I read and it made me think. I suspect I will find myself randomly thinking about this book again and again, which to me is a good thing.
The expanse of side characters and how they all interwove together is a trope of mine I extremely enjoy. I was super satisfied with the ending of this book and enjoyed that Harriet, Walter, Rev. Wakely and even Fran Frask all intertwined within the novel. I just love it when the bigger picture/ small details circle back within a book.
I am very interested in reading whatever Bonnie wants to write next.
I liked the historical context of this book being in the 60s and thus the themes of second wave feminism in its earlier forms. However, I do feel like this book didn't fully touch on intersectionality as much as it could have - although the author does mention intersectionality in the interview attached to the end of the audiobook which I thought was really insightful. I didn't realise this is a debut novel for the author, nor did I realise they were published later in their writing life. I think having the context of knowing she wanted to write about her mother's generation helped. Also she isn't a chemist, which considering how much chemistry knowledge is in this book is very impressive!
I almost want to join a book club to discuss the themes, difference scenes which popped up and I am wanting to watch the Apple TV series now to almost re-read/ go over this story again. There were some harder scenes to listen to but key themes of gender, workplace harassment, domestic violence, media, woman empowerment.
I think this book also had some whimsy aspects of it, none more so than having Six-Thirty the dog and thus an additional, unexpected POV to read from. It was an interesting creative decision but I didn't find myself hating it - although I know from reading other reviews, it wasn't to other people's taste.
Whilst one can read LIC and think 'it's at least not as bad for us(meaning women/ female-presenting people) nowadays' - I also think it is the point of the book to highlight how there are still too many similarities between Elizabeth Zott's reality and today. Which I also think is exactly the point, I am glad I read this book as its outside what I normally I read and it made me think. I suspect I will find myself randomly thinking about this book again and again, which to me is a good thing.
The expanse of side characters and how they all interwove together is a trope of mine I extremely enjoy. I was super satisfied with the ending of this book and enjoyed that Harriet, Walter, Rev. Wakely and even Fran Frask all intertwined within the novel. I just love it when the bigger picture/ small details circle back within a book.
I am very interested in reading whatever Bonnie wants to write next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Suicide, Car accident, and Death of parent
peachybee53's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
This book is honestly just a bit of fun. It is a highly dramatised reflection on how women are viewed and treated as subservient, incapable & good for only one thing. The protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, is hilarious, determined and gutsy.
I would advise anyone with a history of sexual assault to tread lightly with this one, but otherwise think the dry humour and darkness balance each other out well. The way Zott & Calvin fell in love gave me 'the ick,' and I thought that Calvin's family storyline and the rushed ending took away from it a bit.
Favourite quotes:
"Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do."
"I think [religion] teaches us that nothing is really our fault; that something or someone else is pulling the strings; the ultimately, we're not to blame for the way things are; that to improve things, we should pray. But the truth is, we are very much responsible for the badness in the world. And we have the power to fix it."
"It was her confidence, the certainty of who she was. She sowed it like a seed until it took root in others."
"Having a baby, Elizabeth realized, was a little like living with a visitor from a distant planet. There was a certain amount of give and take as the visitor learned your ways and you learned theirs, but gradually their ways faded and your ways stuck. Which she found regrettable. Because unlike adults, her visitor never tired of even the smallest discovery; always saw the magic in the extraordinary."
I would advise anyone with a history of sexual assault to tread lightly with this one, but otherwise think the dry humour and darkness balance each other out well. The way Zott & Calvin fell in love gave me 'the ick,' and I thought that Calvin's family storyline and the rushed ending took away from it a bit.
Favourite quotes:
"Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do."
"I think [religion] teaches us that nothing is really our fault; that something or someone else is pulling the strings; the ultimately, we're not to blame for the way things are; that to improve things, we should pray. But the truth is, we are very much responsible for the badness in the world. And we have the power to fix it."
"It was her confidence, the certainty of who she was. She sowed it like a seed until it took root in others."
"Having a baby, Elizabeth realized, was a little like living with a visitor from a distant planet. There was a certain amount of give and take as the visitor learned your ways and you learned theirs, but gradually their ways faded and your ways stuck. Which she found regrettable. Because unlike adults, her visitor never tired of even the smallest discovery; always saw the magic in the extraordinary."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, and Gaslighting
Minor: Vomit, Medical content, Murder, and Abandonment