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A review by jaxgirl007
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I pick one word to start my review. The word I picked for 'Lessons in Chemistry' is: indomitable
Merriam Webster defines 'indomitable' as: incapable of being subdued
And, oh boy (or girl?), Elizabeth Zott will not be subdued. At first I struggled with her: sometimes I felt like...why is she SO intent on doing everything her way...this doesn't seem realistic? But I had come around to her way of thinking by the end. Because in most of the scenarios where I was hoping she might back down, she was not being treated respectfully. And I realized that sometimes I was uncomfortable with the fact that she would not accept the discrimination she faced...which often happens when someone is not being treated right. The person being discriminated against should stop complaining so that everyone can go back to be uncomfortable. But to stop the discrimination, you have to accept being uncomfortable so that you can insist that our society does better. I went into this thinking this might be some light chick-lit but instead it had a few very heavy topics with some funny moments interwoven.
The back 100 pages slowed down quite a bit for me, but overall it remains a good year for me so far reading wildly popular books since I did like this one in the end. I am a sucker for irreverant humor and I especially liked Mad...she's such a good egg (and I secretly would love to trace my Family Tree back to Nefertiti).
Merriam Webster defines 'indomitable' as: incapable of being subdued
And, oh boy (or girl?), Elizabeth Zott will not be subdued. At first I struggled with her: sometimes I felt like...why is she SO intent on doing everything her way...this doesn't seem realistic? But I had come around to her way of thinking by the end. Because in most of the scenarios where I was hoping she might back down, she was not being treated respectfully. And I realized that sometimes I was uncomfortable with the fact that she would not accept the discrimination she faced...which often happens when someone is not being treated right. The person being discriminated against should stop complaining so that everyone can go back to be uncomfortable. But to stop the discrimination, you have to accept being uncomfortable so that you can insist that our society does better. I went into this thinking this might be some light chick-lit but instead it had a few very heavy topics with some funny moments interwoven.
The back 100 pages slowed down quite a bit for me, but overall it remains a good year for me so far reading wildly popular books since I did like this one in the end. I am a sucker for irreverant humor and I especially liked Mad...she's such a good egg (and I secretly would love to trace my Family Tree back to Nefertiti).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death and Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism and Vomit