Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
1960’s America
TW: Rape, attempted rape
Woman with a Career
Single Mom
FMC Very Aloof
Family is What You Make It
Several Points Repeated Over & Over
Treating The Dog Like a Human
Plot Twist at the End
Get the Book HERE
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Literary Fiction
Start Date: September 12, 2024
End Date: September 22, 2024
I’ll just say it - this book was waaaay over-hyped. I understand it was 1960’s America and every woman was supposed to be a Stepford Wife, but not everyone wants that for themselves (or can afford to do that), and that’s ok. Several times in the book the same points kept coming up, which were already dealt with. Lots of repetition. “But I’m a Chemist” YES WE KNOW THAT. That’s literally what the entire book is about. No need to report it 50 times throughout the story.
I just felt like the female main character was very head in the clouds, using her job and knowledge to talk down to others… I understand where the author was going with it, but it came off the wrong way. I’m pretty sure she was trying to assert the character to show dominance and knowledge, but it came off as very aloof and stand offish. It was the same when she spoke with anyone in the story as well, even the dog and her child.
And please… don’t get me started on the dog. His name? 6:30. Not even kidding. I’m all for quirky pet names (hello, I work in animal care), but naming him after a time is… strange. Then they write several chapters from the dogs point of view. Even from the dogs point of view, nothing important really happens worth while in the story, but I guess the author just wanted another angle. I’m also not sure what the obsession was with how many words the dog knew. Again, this has already been proven that dogs know different words, commands, and phrases.
I’m grateful I borrowed this from my local library and didn’t buy it. A friend had also recommeneded I read it, I think because I’ve always been somewhat of a “trailblazer”, especially in my late teens and early 20’s when I worked a male dominated job.
This book just wasn’t a favorite of mine, but try it for yourself!
