Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel

Lessons in Chemistry is a captivating novel that came highly recommended by a trusted friend whose enthusiastic endorsement immediately piqued my interest. The book offers a compelling narrative that seamlessly weaves together elements of love, societal dynamics, and scientific exploration set against the backdrop of the 1960s. Through its nuanced exploration of cultural and religious beliefs of the era, the story provides a rich and immersive reading experience that delves deep into the complexities of human relationships and personal growth. The novel's emotional depth is particularly striking, with its poignant storytelling evoking such profound feelings that I found myself moved to tears by the book's powerful conclusion. This extraordinary work not only entertains but also provides meaningful insights into the social landscape of a transformative decade, making it an unforgettable literary journey that resonates long after the final page is turned. Women will especially enjoy this book. It provides uplifting commentary on many of life's choices.

★★★★★ I loved this book. Elizabeth Zott's candor was both refreshing and, in an unexpected way, validating. She is intelligent, direct, and unwilling to pretend to be less than she is simply to make other people more comfortable. The active oppression of women is front and center throughout the story. While the book is set in the 1950s and 1960s, it was difficult not to reflect on the fact that women still face oppression today. The progress has been painfully slow, and at times I wonder whether we have experienced a setback in recent years or whether some of it has simply become more visible. I also loved the cast of characters surrounding Elizabeth and the way those relationships developed. The plot had enough twists and turns to keep me thoroughly engaged, and the ending was extremely satisfying. Smart, funny, moving, and hopeful. An excellent book and an easy five stars for me.

I love a quirky character, love a woman in STEM, love it even more when those are combined. And the pup, 6:30?? I love him so much 🥺 I loved getting to read his thoughts as well and how insightful he is. This book started off a bit slow for me, but I got more into it as I progressed as it is a largely character-driven story rather than having a crazy plot. Elizabeth was a feminist inspiration without intending to be and without those words being used, simply by being who she is and speaking her thoughts aloud without a filter. Such a fun, thoughtful read with an interesting voice telling the story!

I really enjoyed the cleverness of this story. It highlighted the issues women went through, and their struggle to be recognized and appreciated in non traditional roles. The cooking with chemistry on the show and in her home “lab” were really fun!! Wonderful book!

Goodreads and other social media have been recommending this book to me for a while, but I looked at the cover and decided I didn't want to read another nerdy rom-com. I enjoy that genre generally, but not enough to grab this one. Then I saw the trailer for the upcoming Apple TV show. Puzzled, I read the blurb and a few reviews. This is where the old saying about "assumptions" showed me I was making a colossal mistake in judging a book by its cover. Anyway, long story short, I haven't enjoyed a book like this in a very long time. It's more historical fiction about the fifties and sixties as well as women's fiction. Elizabeth is a chemist in the Fifties, though very few think a woman has the mind and ability to be a scientist. The one exception is Calvin Evans, a noted chemist in his own right and the man who becomes Elizabeth's soulmate. This is brilliant writing, wry and poignant in turn. Elizabeth is alone except for Calvin because she's beautiful and intelligent, a deadly combination to men's egos that makes her an unwitting rival to other women who think their only job is to marry and produce children in this era. The supporting cast is lovely. Mad is perfect in her own unique manner, a genius of a child who sees things more clearly than many adults. Six-Thirty, the dog, has some of the best 'lines' in the book. Harriet, the Catholic neighbor stuck in a dead marriage, becomes Elizabeth and Mad's support line. Every character, good and bad, feels like people I've met in my real life, and it is delightful to see them collected here, contributing to this wonderful story. I'm old enough to remember the Fifties and Sixties. Ms. Garmus had captured every nuance of the period and sprinkled them like fairy dust over the stories about rowing and early live TV. If this all sounds like an odd combination, believe me, the author makes it all work. Bonnie Garmus has produced a terrific book, and I can't wait for more from her.

A novel about a super bright female chemist dealing with gender discrimination in both the workplace and in her personal life in the early 60’s. To call the protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, feisty might be an understatement. I worried briefly early on about whether this was going to become a tiresome ongoing feminist rant. However, author Bonnie Garmus presents Zott’s story with an excellent balance of uncompromising fierceness, laugh out loud humor and quietly developing warmth. Additionally, she reveals her characters with both honesty and respect….well, maybe not Dr. Donatti. But, honestly, in the course of our lives, how many of us have not encountered at least one “Dr. Donatti” type of character? In summary, the book is insightful, as well as delightfully entertaining. I will probably read it again. Enjoy!

A Lesson in Chemistry is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of a male-dominated world through the lens of a resilient and inspiring female protagonist. The book offers readers a glimpse into the life of this strong woman, leaving a lasting impression that makes you yearn to meet her in real life. What sets this book apart is its ability to present a realistic view of a male-dominated world, allowing readers to empathize with the struggles faced by the protagonist. The author vividly captures the challenges she encounters, creating an engaging narrative that showcases the strength and determination required to navigate such an environment. The plot of "A Lesson in Chemistry" is inherently captivating, capturing the attention of readers from the beginning and maintaining their interest throughout. The book strikes a perfect balance between internal and external conflicts, skillfully weaving together the protagonist's personal growth with her desire to succeed in a field predominantly occupied by men. However, one area that could be improved upon is the resolution. Towards the end, the story seems to come to an abrupt halt, leaving the reader yearning for more closure and a sense of completion. A more conclusive ending would have added a greater sense of satisfaction and provided a better sense of resolution to the overall story. Additionally, while the novel touches upon the protagonist's metacognition, there is a desire for further exploration and revelation in this aspect. A deeper understanding of her inner thoughts and reflections would have added an extra layer of depth to the character's development, enhancing the overall reading experience. Despite these minor shortcomings, "A Lesson in Chemistry" succeeds in captivating readers with its strong and relatable female protagonist, providing a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields. This book serves as a testament to the resilience of individuals and highlights the importance of pursuing one's dreams, regardless of societal expectations. A Lesson in Chemistry is an engaging and thought-provoking read that manages to strike a delicate balance between internal struggles and external obstacles. With a relatable protagonist and an intriguing plot, this book offers valuable insights into the human spirit and the pursuit of one's passions.

More easily appreciated by those who remember the 50s and 60s, this is an interesting story and fun read.

The book arrived in perfect condition but had a bit of dust and dirt on the back. I was able to remove most of it with some wet wipes As for the book itself, I didn’t read it yet

It was an essay about her dog called "Ninety-Nine" that first drew me to the writing of Bonnie Garmus. All I could find was *Lessons in Chemistry*, and I bought it because one can't give up on someone who names her dog Ninety-Nine. *Lessons in Chemistry* is a gem of a novel. It is clever, complex, dense and detailed in its story-line, very funny, and manages to depict every single one of its characters with a shining clarity. Including the dog, this time named Six-Thirty. Please don't miss it!

This book has had a huge amount of marketing and appears to have sold a lot of copies which is always great for the writer (and the industry in general). I've also had a few friends read it too and have heard nothing but good. The book is 386 pages split into 46 chapters which makes reading it very easy. I had a look on Amazon before I started and was amused to se that this is the number one book in the "Feminist Criticism" category (there was me thinking it was a novel!). The story starts with Elizabeth as a mother, scientist and TV presenter, juggling her commitments in a way that was unusual for the 1960s. We then go back ten years and begin to understand how she got where she is now. Whilst appearing to be light on the surface, the book quickly moves to much darker territory, showing the sexism and abuse that was accepted as normal. That sums up the beauty of this book - it has an unforgiving hardness at its centre but is wrapped but a thin layer of social predictability making it accessible to read. There is a balance of comedy and serious issues that also makes the book fun. Elizabeth as a character is hard to believe and I thought the author could have softened her more but, let yourself go with the depiction, and she is a great focus for the novel. The story has a big build up before we actually get Elizabeth on TV (which is marketed as the core of the novel) - this feels like a long time but is necessary as it sets the scene. Everyone in the book is a remarkable person for all sorts of reasons - even Six Thirty (the dog) who is taught to recognise hundreds of specific words. Getting further into the book I became more and more aware of how deep the topic is. There is a lot of thought around the equality messages and you can't help but make comparisons to today's society - some problems have been reduced by legislation and gradual society change but many issues are worse than ever. Women appearing on TV today would say that their looks are analysed more than ever before, with the possibilities of feedback not limited to phone calls and letters. Endings of novels are hard to get right but this one is perfectly achieved. There is a lovely amount of emotion mixed in with a good balance of well structured plot.

There is long time that I’ve read something so impactful, interesting and profound. A book that took my attention since the first chapter and make me feel inspired by stories full of encrypted messages and important debates.

Utterly brilliant. One of the best I've ever read. Imaginative, clever, totally original and beautifully crafted characters.