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sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I had some mixed feelings about this book. The start intrigued me and I found some parts funny, but I think it lost a bit of momentum in the second half, and I wanted more from the ending.
I think this would've been better written in first person, because I felt like we got a lot of Elizabeth's opinions and thoughts and, in my opinion, this works better in first person POV as it in third person makes it feel like the author is preaching the ideas that some characters may hold. This meant these thoughts sometimes felt a bit off in the context of this story, particulalry regarding religion (coming from someone who isn't religious at all) and some of the body image/fatshaming.
I also felt we didn't get enough nuance on a lot of topics in here. Sexism and the potential of women outside being housewives was covered a lot as it was the primary focus of the book, but we touched on things like pedophilia and sexual assault and didn't come back around to the true impact on the characters and within society. There was a lot of trauma for the characters in this too that wasn't explored as deeply as I would have liked, and ended up feeling like trauma just for the plot.
Like I said, I enjoyed the first half and I laughed at moments throughout the novel, particulalry in some moments where Elizabeth had no filter and said exactly what I was thinking. I could look past some of the unrealistic features of the story to enjoy it as it was happening, but it did feel a bit contemporary at times and the storyline is not always the most realistic. What this book did well, it really did well, but it fell down in some areas for me.
I think this would've been better written in first person, because I felt like we got a lot of Elizabeth's opinions and thoughts and, in my opinion, this works better in first person POV as it in third person makes it feel like the author is preaching the ideas that some characters may hold. This meant these thoughts sometimes felt a bit off in the context of this story, particulalry regarding religion (coming from someone who isn't religious at all) and some of the body image/fatshaming.
I also felt we didn't get enough nuance on a lot of topics in here. Sexism and the potential of women outside being housewives was covered a lot as it was the primary focus of the book, but we touched on things like pedophilia and sexual assault and didn't come back around to the true impact on the characters and within society. There was a lot of trauma for the characters in this too that wasn't explored as deeply as I would have liked, and ended up feeling like trauma just for the plot.
Like I said, I enjoyed the first half and I laughed at moments throughout the novel, particulalry in some moments where Elizabeth had no filter and said exactly what I was thinking. I could look past some of the unrealistic features of the story to enjoy it as it was happening, but it did feel a bit contemporary at times and the storyline is not always the most realistic. What this book did well, it really did well, but it fell down in some areas for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault
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
appsinator's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicide
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
sarahmsadam's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Sexism
withlivjones's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was exactly the book I needed to read given recent political events. I love a mystery that pieces itself together over the course of a book. I love women who refuse to comply with the patriarchy and eventually convince other women to stand in solidarity with them. I love prose that strikes a balance between lightheartedness and dryness. I love intelligent dogs - Six-Thirty is definitely my favourite character in the book. This was such a heartwarming read and definitely lives up to all the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Grief
crazymaplady's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book more than I can describe. I immediately fell in love with the characters and was invested in the relationships. It made me laugh and cry and feel such warmth and such heartbreak. Absolutely loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fatphobia, Suicide, and Vomit
Minor: Child death and Car accident
kellirogue's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
perth_is's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment