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baguettekelly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
3.25
This is a light but emotional read that has something real to say about gender - something that’s still achingly relevant today. The moral of this story is what I wish the Barbie movie had been.
I was not sold on this book for probably the first 60% and nearly DNFed but I got there by the end. The first half of the book is pretty Feminism 101 and lays it on a little too thick at times, but it gets to a more poignant message about social constructs and myth making. Elizabeth is a challenging protagonist (even for me, an irl lady engineer), but after spending more time with her, I appreciated her candor and honesty. I’m glad I gave this one a chance.
I was not sold on this book for probably the first 60% and nearly DNFed but I got there by the end. The first half of the book is pretty Feminism 101 and lays it on a little too thick at times, but it gets to a more poignant message about social constructs and myth making. Elizabeth is a challenging protagonist (even for me, an irl lady engineer), but after spending more time with her, I appreciated her candor and honesty. I’m glad I gave this one a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexism
Moderate: Rape and Suicide
jazzaling's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
sachavanhelly's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
so powerful. so heartbreaking. so real. i wanted to cry, curse society, laugh, be a man, be a chemist but mostly i just wanted to keep reading. i could barely put it down. this book dives deep into the way women have had to fight against all odds to gain recognition for their work and intelligence. it’s hard to come face to face with how unfair society can be. but the characters were so empowering and showed how strong women were to push through all the systemic oppression and be valued as a wonderful human being. man i’m so glad i read this. Lessons in Chemistry will definitely be recommended to anyone i meet from here on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Rape
megacleary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
tacoshark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
What a strange book - it was not at all what I expected from what I’d heard or from the marketing. There’s a pull quote on the cover calling it an “utter delight” and I genuinely don’t know who would think that. This was one of the most profoundly (and yet implausibly) sad books I’ve ever read. Unrelentingly, almost, though there is a sort of happy, at least hopeful-ish, if again, implausible ending. What it reminded me of, in an unexpected and bizarre way, was A Little Life, though it’s not quite as hideously cruel as that book.
I enjoyed reading this, despite the sadness, but I found it rather unsatisfying as well. What I liked was the propulsion of the narrative and the zingy, constantly moving POV (I especially enjoyed the dog’s POV). But because of that very mechanism, while the book is theoretically mostly about Elizabeth, I felt like she was barely developed and pretty unrelatable as a character - all of this happens to her, but you spend more time with the reactions and feelings of those around her than with her. It left me feeling that she was a bit of an automaton and even when her thoughts and feelings were described, they had very little heft. (I don’t think I’d actually want to spend more time in her head, but it’s a strange choice for your main character.) I liked Calvin better, but it also felt a bit strange that this book that’s theoretically a feminist story about this compelling woman was really so much about a man instead.
I’m not sure if I’ll recommend this but I think I’d check out what this author does next.
I enjoyed reading this, despite the sadness, but I found it rather unsatisfying as well. What I liked was the propulsion of the narrative and the zingy, constantly moving POV (I especially enjoyed the dog’s POV). But because of that very mechanism, while the book is theoretically mostly about Elizabeth, I felt like she was barely developed and pretty unrelatable as a character - all of this happens to her, but you spend more time with the reactions and feelings of those around her than with her. It left me feeling that she was a bit of an automaton and even when her thoughts and feelings were described, they had very little heft. (I don’t think I’d actually want to spend more time in her head, but it’s a strange choice for your main character.) I liked Calvin better, but it also felt a bit strange that this book that’s theoretically a feminist story about this compelling woman was really so much about a man instead.
I’m not sure if I’ll recommend this but I think I’d check out what this author does next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual harassment, Death, Sexism, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child abuse
radmusikitty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Grief, Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Death, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Car accident, Death of parent, and Suicide
theredheadbaker's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Rape
chemistrychick68's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Sexism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Grief
skylover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-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? No
4.25
this is one of the most female empowering books i've ever read, fitting to read in the year of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and the Barbie movie. I laughed, cried, gasped, got goosebumps, and learned a lot from this book about the history of women's rights, and literal chemistry. One of my favorites I've read this year - i rooted for the female characters, i loved the different perspectives, and found this book relatable on so many levels. I'd befriend Elizabeth and Harriet in a instant if I could. I didn't mesh with the rushed ending, kinda felt like it left you hanging, and it did get slow at times when there seemed to be no hope or good people until pg 140 and then it turns around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
erinwolf1997's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Grief, Car accident, Gaslighting, Death, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Suicide, Body shaming, and Homophobia