Lessons in Chemistry – review (AD)
I was kindly given an electronic copy of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus in exchange for an honest review*.
Lessons in Chemistry book blurb
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman.
But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality.
Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with–of all things–her mind. True chemistry results.
But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six.
Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary.
But as her following grows, not everyone is happy.
Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.
Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.
My overall thoughts on Lessons in Chemistry
I really enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry.
Set in the 1950’s when a woman’s place was in the kitchen not the science lab!
But not Elizabeth Zott.
She’s developing theories in a chemistry lab even converting her kitchen into a lab at home and taking on rowing as a hobby (with a men’s team no less).
As you can expect, her genius isn’t appreciated by those (men and unfortunately women) around her who don’t like being upstaged.
Who does she think she is?
At times, Lessons in Chemistry reminded me of Mad Men – the misogyny, sexism and attitudes towards women.
Despite the very serious themes (sexual abuse, death, sexism, misogyny) there’s many light-hearted and funny moments.
Lessons in Chemistry is about much more than a love story, there’s heartbreak and humour, determination and friendship to name but a few.
Our main character is a woman with a huge passion for science who feels that she shouldn’t have to suffer missed opportunities because she’s female.
I absolutely loved Elizabeth’s dedication and absorption into her profession as a chemist. It was such a pleasure to be drawn into her unique views and sureness of direction.
She suffers many hardships and knockbacks but keeps getting back on her feet and setting an example for her daughter.
I wish I could watch her TV show it sounded brilliant!
The relationship that she builds with her neighbour and her producer despite her best efforts not to in the first instance is really quite wonderful.
I also really loved Six-Thirty and getting his perspective on things – what a clever dog!
If confident, supremely intelligent women protagonists interest you as they do me, then I would absolutely encourage you to read this.
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*Disclaimer
This review has been written with 100% honesty.
I was not financially compensated for this post. I was given an advance copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are completely my own based on my own experience.
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