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A review by elementarymydear
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
DNF @ 20% (NetGalley ARC)
I very rarely write a review for a book I didn't finish, but here are the main two reasons I stopped reading this book:
1. The writing style and the story did not match up in the slightest. It's written in a whimsical, light-hearted way, with no variation for very dark and traumatic things that the characters go through.
2. The 'white feminist fantasy'. Every 21st century white feminist (myself included) wants to believe that, if they were born decades earlier, they would still hold the exact same values, and that belief is the entire basis for this book. Already, during a flashback to the 1950s, the main character has treated us to Second Wave Feminism 101, stating as obvious fact what two decades later would be radical ideas. She claims to speak on behalf of all women, but internally says that most women don't feel the same way she does and she looks down on them for it (because, of course, she is Not Like Other Girls, and neither is her daughter).
It's so frustrating because had this book been better executed, it could have been an incredibly powerful and nuanced tale. Perhaps it improves; I doubt point 1 will, and I'm not optimistic enough about point 2 to keep reading.
I very rarely write a review for a book I didn't finish, but here are the main two reasons I stopped reading this book:
1. The writing style and the story did not match up in the slightest. It's written in a whimsical, light-hearted way, with no variation for very dark and traumatic things that the characters go through.
2. The 'white feminist fantasy'. Every 21st century white feminist (myself included) wants to believe that, if they were born decades earlier, they would still hold the exact same values, and that belief is the entire basis for this book. Already, during a flashback to the 1950s, the main character has treated us to Second Wave Feminism 101, stating as obvious fact what two decades later would be radical ideas. She claims to speak on behalf of all women, but internally says that most women don't feel the same way she does and she looks down on them for it (because, of course, she is Not Like Other Girls, and neither is her daughter).
It's so frustrating because had this book been better executed, it could have been an incredibly powerful and nuanced tale. Perhaps it improves; I doubt point 1 will, and I'm not optimistic enough about point 2 to keep reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Suicide