Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Book Description

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. 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.

Review

From the moment I picked up Bonnie Garmus’s Lessons in Chemistry, I knew I was in for a treat. The story unfolds with the sharp-witted and determined protagonist, Elizabeth Zott. Zott (like a love child of Marie Curie and Julia Child) combines culinary prowess with scientific genius to find personal success in a society skewed against women.

This novel struck a personal chord, transporting me back to the late 1990s and my undergraduate studies. Even though I studied chemistry nearly 40 years after the novel’s fictitious setting, sadly, not much had changed.

Often, I was the only woman in my upper-level classes.

And yes, I too endured snide comments from some students and professors. Of course, not all of my male colleagues were like this. Many were welcoming and friendly. But while I found my studies fascinating and enjoyed working with some of my cohort, I couldn’t stomach the idea of a career full of gender-inspired conflict. As a result, I chose not to go into academics, research, or laboratory work.

After reading Lessons in Chemistry, I wonder what my 20-year-old self would have done if someone had handed her this book.

A Wonderful Novel with An Important Message

In Lessons in Chemistry, Garmus masterfully blends humor and heartbreak. I found her clever narrative style compelling. Despite her assertions, Zott’s journey is not just about chemistry, but about challenging the restrictive norms of the 1960s. This makes Lessons in Chemistry a resonant read for anyone ready to cheer on a woman bent on obliterating a glass ceiling.

What truly sets this novel apart are its wonderfully fleshed-out characters.

Each character adds depth and vigor to Garmus’s world, making Zott’s struggles and triumphs even more meaningful. From her stoic yet supportive love interest to Mad, Zott’s fiercely intelligent daughter, I adored the people Garmus surrounded Zott with.

Even Zott’s dog, Six-Thirty, adds a layer of charm and wit to the novel. And like the others, he isn’t a passive character. Six-Thirty’s actions showcase his personality. And (spoiler!!) he provides commentary as insightful as it is humorous. If you enjoyed Heather Webber’s work, you’ll love this cast too.

Lessons in Chemistry is a celebration of perseverance and intelligence, infused with a wit that tickles the intellect. I couldn’t put it down, sucked in entirely by the story and Miranda Raison’s performance.

But this novel isn’t just enjoyable, it’s important.

It’s a story that promotes the right of women to be taken seriously in both the professional realm and the personal. But moreover, I believe it could inspire any person who’s ever felt held back by their circumstances.

Lessons in Chemistry delivers a rollercoaster of an emotional ride. It’s equal parts funny, sad, rage-inducing, scary, and heartwarming. I loved this novel and hope you will too!

Content Warning

Blood, Child Abuse, Death, Domestic Violence, Forced Adoption, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Suicide

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Hans Reniers on Unsplash