Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

68 reviews

subi_doobi_doo's review against another edition

hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Great introduction to feminist literature. Really connects the reader with the  indignation and frustration of women in the 60s/in patriarchal societies.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Car accident, Cursing, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Suicide, Child death, Sexual violence, and Child abuse

lil_saddie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Holding two truths at the same time: I enjoyed many aspects of this book and think the story telling was quite good with so many threads being woven together expertly and always taking Zott as deadly serious as she took herself. I enjoyed how fluidly the story could change POV and narration to give so many perspectives. 
Some spoilers further:
However, I wish I had checked for content warnings before reading because there are considerable themes of SA. I’m struggling with how necessary these multiple scenes and  references were as a plot point since this wasn’t based on a true story. I know it was incredibly common in the workplace without consequence in a way  that we have improved somewhat as a society today. But for a modern audience when 1 in 6 women have faced SA personally, who is the audience this narrative is trying to convince the severity of the situation to? We know the realities, and Zott being mistreated in the workplace without SA as part of the story feels like it should have been impactful enough. Not to mention how glossed over instances of pedophilia was for male characters. I guess in sum o feel those very triggering topics could have been handled bett

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Sexual assault, Vomit, Sexism, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Suicide

Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Car accident, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Child death, Animal cruelty, and Toxic relationship

katlinstirling_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I loved this book I’m not gonna lie. I loved the way it was written, I loved the characters and the storyline everything! Completely heartbreaking in parts and I was so angry with the sex discrimination and abuse towards women, I did actually throw the book a few times! I don’t care what anyone says this is a 5-star read to me!! ❤️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Vomit, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Death, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Medical content, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Child death, and Emotional abuse

redheadorganist's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, Suicide, Blood, Death, Grief, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Vomit, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Car accident, and Homophobia

Minor: Pedophilia, Child death, and Abortion

sjexley's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring sad 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? Yes

4.5

Quite possibly the last person on earth to read this, but I've been saving it for book club♥️  It's the 1960s, and Elizabeth is a chemist who keeps getting dicked over by male co-workers/men in power bc she's a female.  She meets the love of her life (my fave storyline in the book), she takes up rowing, she becomes pregnant. She gets fired for said pregnancy and becomes the host of an afternoon TV cooking show (cooking is chemistry!) I loved Elizabeth. I loved the dog. I loved Mad. The sexism was hard, and I think the book missed an opportunity to include conversations about race, but I enjoyed the story!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, and Misogyny

Minor: Child death and Death of parent

livbeveridge's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

As a debut novel this book is excellent! I feel like Garmus has created a story with elements plucked straight from the lives of women in the 50s, particularly those trying to work in a STEM field or any field at all really. 
I’ve seen a lot of praise for the character of Elizabeth Zott but I have to admit there were times that I was so frustrated by her… and I’m so glad for it. Those little moments of ugh just make it easy for yourself made me reflect, why should she take the easy traditional way, why should any of us? 
Overall an excellent novel that speaks of great things still to come from Bonnie Garmus and certainly speaks on her own love of rowing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape

Moderate: Child death

popsan27's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Death, Rape, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts

anarchy7's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Grief

Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Child death, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Death of parent, Vomit, Suicide, and Domestic abuse

bbmaan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Abandonment, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Child death, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Homophobia

rainynook's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

So good! No wonder this book is so popular. A page-turner. There are some serious themes, but overall the book is quirky, fun and clever.  The characters are each unique and carefully-crafted. Well done!  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual violence

Minor: Cursing, Child death, Death, Sexism, Body shaming, Abandonment, Car accident, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Pregnancy, Vomit, Death of parent, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Suicide