Member Reviews
Hooked me from the 1st page, not entirely a romance, not exactly a comedy, not explicitly a tragedy these extraordinary women fight to be true to themselves in a time when women received little respect for the essential services they provided inside the home and no access to respect in careers outside the home.
Thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for this ARC: I enjoyed this book tremendously. Garmus, writing her debut novel at 64, presents a compelling story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist who is stymied by the social constraints of the 1950's, yet remains true to her ideals throughout. She achieves stardom as a cooking show host--speaking to women with accuracy, honesty and complexity. Zott has experienced pervasive sexism and stigmatism for being a woman in science, a single, unwed mother and not pandering to the socially accepted norm for women. Garmus presents Zott's saga with wit and subtle humor, strong characters--including her prescient dog, Six Thirty. An enjoyable read and thought provoking. The barriers for women in STEM haven't gone away and this book is an excellent debut and a book that should open eyes to the treatment of women that unfortunately continues to persist in the sciences and other fields.
This amazing book is a must read and don't fear the word chemistry in the title. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1950s and 1960s during the telling of the story and that is not an easy place to be. Women are meant to be housewives and mothers, not chemists, and not only do the men in the story make this difficult, they seek out to submarine her. She is brilliant and unconventional and uncompromising, and when she has a daughter, that is how she raises her. She ends up hosting a cooking show to make ends meet and single handedly encourages a generation of women to pursue education and understanding of the world around them. After all, chemistry explains everything. Some of the passages in the book are narrated by Elizabeth's dog, and although that sounds too cutesy for this book, it completely works. This dog is as brilliant as his owner and incredibly caring and protective of his humans. Do not miss this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Don't let the cover of this book lull you into thinking this is a light and frothy rom-com. It is a beautifully written love letter to the women of the 50s and 60s who fought (and fought and cried and fought) for equality in the workplace and home. It's for every woman who showed the world you don't need to earn just an Mrs. from university -- you can do what you love (even if it is *gasp* science), and you do not have to settle for living in the shadow of a man but can work in tandem with love and support. This book is about love, friendship, hurting, and determination and I loved it. I hope to see more from Bonnie Gamus. Bonus points for cleverly writing form many perspectives without muddling the reader. I especially loved reading Six Thirty's perspective.
This book! I will be screaming about this book from rooftops when it comes out in April. Utterly charming and completely original with a poignantly feminist bent... it was unlike anything I've ever read before. I absolutely loved it and could not put it down. The characters are memorable and unique, the ending satisfying, and the plot interesting and engaging. I LOVED IT!
I received an ARC of Lessons in Chemistry from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
I loved this book. The main character, Elizabeth Zott, is a fiercely intelligent scientist fighting against the small-minded misogyny of her time (the mid-20th century). She is not one for small talk or frivolity, but is sincere and affirming to those in her inner circle. Elizabeth meets misfortune repeatedly over the course of the story, but always pushes ahead and fights her way through.
The supporting characters, including her love Calvin, daughter Mad, dog Six-Thirty, and neighbor Harriet, are fully drawn and relatable.
As I was reading, I was pulled from one event to the next and never felt the action of the story had stalled, but it also occurred to me that the craft of creating a character with such confidence, innate ability, and occasional blind spots cannot be easy. It would have been unsurprising to find Elizabeth unbelievable or unpleasant, given her inflexibility and self reliance, but she is sympathetic and charming in a still somewhat distant and unknowable way.
Today’s professional women owe a debt to real-life trailblazers like Elizabeth, and while we still have a way to go to achieve true gender equity, sometimes we need a book like Lessons in Chemistry to remind us how far we’ve come.
It's hard not to fall in love with many of the quirky characters in this unique novel. Elizabeth's dog, Six-Thirty, and daughter, Mad, were definite standouts. I loved that this premise is so different. If you're a rower, you'll appreciate the detailed look into that sport as well.
“Cooking is Chemistry”.
Elizabeth Zott is a chemist. And a single-mother. And the wildly popular tv show host of a cooking show.
It’s also the early 1960’s when women aren’t supposed to be any of those things.
Elizabeth falls I love with one of her colleagues, a rather famous chemist named Calvin Evans. Elizabeth doesn’t believe in marriage so as things sometimes go, she ends up with a baby. And no husband. Which gets her fired because it’s just not allowed in courteous society. Funny because misogyny is allowed but, ok.
Wow this book! It’s witty and bold, the levity giving light to some very dark issues and scenarios. I love that it highlights the beautiful concept of found family. I laughed, cried and raged my way through this story. Particularly the dog, Six-Thirty, if you read this book for nothing else, read it for that dog. Because I swear you’ll need tissues and your heart will grow three sizes too big.
This book was a pleasant surprise. The characters were well thought out, both likeable and unlikeable and sometimes redeemable. It definitely fits in with the rest of the books it was described as being similar to.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was a fun, quirky novel I couldn't put down. It's set in the sixties, one of my favorite eras to read about. I completely fell in love with Elizabeth, a brilliant scientist born too far ahead of her time. And don't even get me started about six thirty the dog- he is hilarious!!! Highly recommend!
This book was so refreshing to read- it itched a part of my brain that I didnt know I needed (that sounds weird but that's the only way I can describe it!) It was out there, just as our main character is and filled with so many different emotions. It was smart, funny, SAD and absolutely enthralling. I will recommend this book to everyone and anyone, I already know it will become one of the top books of 2022!
I loved this book! Elizabeth Zott is an incredible character who is uniquely herself and stands up for what she believes in During a time when women should be home raising kids. The side characters including her dog, six thirty, her daughter, mad, and all others we’re wonderful. I loved learning her back story and that of her lover, Calvin. Parts were so sad, funny, smart and endearing. There were just so many gems and words of wisdom throughout. I expect this will be a huge hit come April!
Have you had a five star read yet this year? Here’s my first: Lessons in Chemistry. It doesn’t come out until April, but I predict that this will be a huge hit with so many of you and feels like a novel that could be a celebrity book club pick. I’m looking at you @readwithjenna!
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Elizabeth Zott is a victim of time and circumstance pursuing a PhD in chemistry. Men in the 1960s aren’t taking her seriously, instead claiming her work as their own. Instead, Elizabeth surprisingly (to no one more than herself) becomes the host of a cooking show that is wildly successful.
Elizabeth is ahead of her time and shines so brightly. She is surrounded by an amazing cast of characters including her dog, Six-Thirty, who may have just become my favorite literary canine. This book is funny, smart, fresh, and innovative. I don’t want to spoil any of it, I just want all of you to read and experience the joy for yourself.
I loved, loved, loved this very important book. Both women and men everywhere should read it. So many women's issues were dealt with in this book. I found myself highlighting things I wanted to remember or re-read, as well as things I learned while reading it. My only complaints are writing God's name without the capital "G", and using further in place of farther. In American English, the two are not interchangeable. Due to some family issues right now, I don't have time to write a traditional, professional review, but I will recommend this book highly.
I really loved this book and all the characters in it! This book has the perfect mix of humor, vulnerability, honesty and family dynamics. Can not recommend it enough!
A good storyline, characters that you totally love, and laugh-out-loud moments- what more could you ask for in a story? A thoroughly delightful debut novel- definitely recommend.
Lessons in Chemistry is one of those books that is hard to define, and impossible to walk away from. Garmus captures perfectly the voice of Elizabeth Zott, and the inability she has for being changed by the cultural expectations for women during the 1950's and 60's. And then there's the dog. Not to be missed, heartwarming tale.
I tried reading this book but I couldn't get into it. very different book. I found that this book was interesting with being a chemist and now a tv star. I did enjoy the romance between the chemists.
This was a fun book with some very quirky characters. Set in 1960s California, Elizabeth is a chemist who ends up becoming the star of a beloved cooking show. This story was unique, layered and had great characters, especially the dog!
This was such a fun book! Women in science--so fun! Quirky characters, interesting points of views (some is narrated by a dog), but it all works out and I loved it. The characters are so memorable and well-written. I was sad and happy and frustrated (for the characters) and laughed throughout. I think this will be a best seller, and I highly recommend it!