Today I’m sharing my review of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year! Don’t let this cover confuse you. This is the UK cover of the book which I got while travelling in Europe earlier this year. I like it so much better than the US cover!
Synopsis
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.
Why I Decided to Read this Book
The premise of this book alone convinced me to read it. Then in April it was revealed as the GMA Book Club pick for the month. The reviews were outstanding for this book so I had to pick it up.
Rating
5 Stars (Check out my rating system!)
My Thoughts
I had been putting off writing this review because I don’t know how to make it justice. This was one of those books that I just hugged when I finished. I loved it that much! Can you just trust me and read it? I felt a lot of emotions while reading this book and I think that is why I ultimately enjoyed it so much. This is a book about societal expectations of women in the 1960s and a strong woman, Elizabeth, who fights those norms.
Elizabeth is a character I’ll never forget. She is unapologetically herself and stands for what she believes in. However, there are also some amazing secondary characters like the dog six-thirty who has a voice in the book and I loved very much.
As I reflect on this book I think I loved it so much because it had strong character development, an engaging plot and it spans a long period of time. This year those are the books I’m loving!
Content Warnings
Sexual assault, sexism, death. Check out more content warnings in The Storygraph.
Who I Recommend this Book to
This is a book that will appeal to a lot of people that read various genres. It spans a long period of time, it has great character development and also has a great plot.
Get the Book!
Did this review of Lessons in Chemistry convince you to read it? Check out the links below to order it from Bookshop.org, Amazon and libro.fm. Please consider ordering it from a Black owned independent bookstore. This list of Black owned independent bookstores accepts online ordering.
>>Shop on Libro.fm
If you’ve read this book let me know your thoughts in the comments!
I have heard only the best things about this one. I can’t wait to read it. And I totally agree, the UK cover is much better — the US cover makes it look like a cheesy rom com, but it sounds like it’s much deeper than that!