sarajuni's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
saracree's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Grief
emmie_martin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
editorsel's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.5
What a fantastic read. I loved Mad, Elizabeth Zott, and the growth of each character. I loved the relationship between Walter and Elizabeth, and I loved how her story continued despite the obstacles she continued to face. The novel tackled grief and love in ways that I felt very tangible, heartwarming.
I will say, it does require a bit of suspension of disbelief — it’s difficult to tackle every nuance and crevice of what the experience of a woman was during the 1960s, and I’m of the belief that while the portrayal of “feminism” was a westernized and white one, this book would not have the place to adequately and justly portray the even more nuanced and complex experience of women of color during this time period. Of course, a book would be perfect if every single topic and theme was thoroughly and deeply discussed, but it’s not realistic, and clearly, the author would not have been the best person for the job of telling those stories. So for what it is worth, I loved this book and the world we were transported to. I also loved the dog POV, by the way. I don’t quite understand the hate on this, lol.
I will say, it does require a bit of suspension of disbelief — it’s difficult to tackle every nuance and crevice of what the experience of a woman was during the 1960s, and I’m of the belief that while the portrayal of “feminism” was a westernized and white one, this book would not have the place to adequately and justly portray the even more nuanced and complex experience of women of color during this time period. Of course, a book would be perfect if every single topic and theme was thoroughly and deeply discussed, but it’s not realistic, and clearly, the author would not have been the best person for the job of telling those stories. So for what it is worth, I loved this book and the world we were transported to. I also loved the dog POV, by the way. I don’t quite understand the hate on this, lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicide
lzallo14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Suicide
nat_01's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicide, Death, Rape, and Car accident
Moderate: Sexism, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
lionysh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Suicide, Death, and Rape
findingtulips's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-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
5.0
Beautiful book. Inspiring and powerful, it invokes a feeling of the 1960s from a woman's perspective from the first page.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Rape
iblamewizards's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Lessons in Chemistry was the kind of book that requires a certain level of suspension of disbelief. It's not a realistic portrayal of...well...anything, to be completely honest, but it was still an oddly joyful read despite its often confronting and tragic subject matter.
Elizabeth Zott suffered hugely from the "not like other girls," trope, men were reduced to caricatures, Mad Zott was a completely unbelievable "gifted child," and there was a shoehorned "found family" narrative that, for me, was the weakest part of the book. But it was still just a lovely read.
There has been a lot of legitimate criticism levelled at Lessons in Chemistry, but ultimately, not of that detracted from the simple fact that I enjoyed reading this book. And sometimes that's all you need.
Elizabeth Zott suffered hugely from the "not like other girls," trope, men were reduced to caricatures, Mad Zott was a completely unbelievable "gifted child," and there was a shoehorned "found family" narrative that, for me, was the weakest part of the book. But it was still just a lovely read.
There has been a lot of legitimate criticism levelled at Lessons in Chemistry, but ultimately, not of that detracted from the simple fact that I enjoyed reading this book. And sometimes that's all you need.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
tariana's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
It was fun to read, there was a moment that I was so devastated about something that happens that I didn’t want to continue. However I felt like something was missing and after much thought I realized that even though the book brings a lot of discussions regarding feminism, it lacks depth, I say that having in mind that the story happens on the 1960s and some resolutions to the conflict were easily solved which I don’t think it would be the same if that had really happened in the 60s, for example, Elizabeth starring for a long time on TV preaching about feminism without men revolting against it and taking measures to restrain her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Car accident, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Vomit