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Lessons in Chemistry

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus had me engrossed from the start. The main character and heroine, Elizabeth Zott, is a chemist who believes that understanding chemistry is the key to understanding everything. The story follows her life as a chemist, mother and tv cook, exploring feminism, gender equality and cultural stereotypes of the 1960s. There is a strong thread of being true to yourself which runs throughout, and I found it a thought-provoking read which explored themes relevant in today's world. Garmus' characters are all well portrayed - I particularly loved the character of Zott's dog, Six-Thirty! Definitely a book I'll be reccomending to others.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Set in 60s America, our protagonist is a scientist who is constantly thwarted by the male scientific community and ends up hosting a cookery show on TV. She deals with sexual assault, bereavement and hostile work environments, to name but a few of her tribulations, with a strength and grace that are awe inspiring.
This is a lively and entertaining read, it is hopeful and positive with a wonderful sense of humour. A perfect balance of triumph and tragedy that makes for a riveting read.
I particularly liked that there were a number of male characters who were innately good and that we are given insights into the minds of some of the more hateful characters. More so that there is a chance at redemption for most, and that there is a sense of justice throughout. Although Mrs Mudford needed some kind of karma, she was absolutely vile. And I just have to say that I absolutely adored Six-Thirty!!

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Lessons in Chemistry is Bonnie Garmus’ stellar debut. This book is an absolute force to behold; it is so very good and an easy 5 star.

Lessons in Chemistry takes place in the early 1960s and follows the life of Elizabeth Zott. Zott is not your average woman, and she would be first to point out that no such thing exists. The problem, however, is that the people around Zott don’t take her seriously as a chemist, after all she is female and it’s the ‘60s. That is except for Dr Evans, a famous scientist in his own right. Zott and Evans fall in love, but as with science life is unpredictable. A few years later Zott finds herself not in a lab but behind the screen of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. She is also the single mother to the incredible Mad Zott. But what happens when Elizabeth tries to teach her audience more than just to cook, and instead has them questioning the status quo?

I absolutely loved Lessons in Chemistry from start to finish. Garmus has written an absolutely exceptional story with characters that you simply will not forgot. Elizabeth Zott really is a fascinating protagonist. She is incredibly smart, driven and uncompromising, the problem, however, is that she is a woman in the ‘60s. The way that Garmus presents Elizabeth’s view of the patriarchal society that finds herself in is simply brilliant, whereby she is constantly pushing back on and questioning the false limits placed upon women by men. Despite her strength and conviction Zott faces so many set backs and hurdles, some of which are horrific. Yet still she tries to keep going.

Beyond Zott herself, I particularly loved her daughter Mad, friend Harriet and her amazing dog Six-Thirty. The relationship between these four was wonderful to read about and I loved how much they helped and supported each other. Six-Thirty was a brilliant character in his own right and I really enjoyed reading his thoughts and perspectives. I don’t think I’ve liked (or empathised with) a dog in a novel more than him.

Though many of the men in this book are deplorable (as are some of the women - heres looking at you Mrs Mudford) there are some stand out good men. There is Calvin of course, but also Walter Pine, Dr Mason and Reverend Waverley. I really appreciated that Garmus choose to include male characters who, in their own ways, sought to challenge or at-least acknowledge the issues with the societal norms.

This is a book that will make you feel many things. It will make you smile and laugh, but it will also likely make you cry. It will probably also make you very angry. Angry at the injustices Zott, and women more generally, faced, and in some cases still do now. That Garmus can elicit so many emotions in her reader is certainly very impressive.

I thoroughly recommend Lessons in Chemistry.

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I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Lessons in Chemistry via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot remember when I last enjoyed a book as much as Lessons in Chemistry; I LOVED it! Elizabeth Zott is just my kind of heroine and I absolutely adored her. The book made me laugh and cry in equal measure and there was a little bit of anger in there too at the way she had been so unfairly treated just for being a woman. The book was beautifully written and I found the well rounded characters believable. I can totally see this book becoming a book club favourite - thoroughly recommended read. I would give it 6 stars if I could!

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It's hard to explain why I loved this book so much. It was wonderfully witty and funny with a strong female main character who refuses to bow down to what society expects of her. Set in the 50's and 60's, Elizabeth Zott is looked down upon because she's a female scientist; a professional field dominated by men. It's a time when women were expected to be housewives, putting their husbands dinner on the table when he gets home. Elizabeth does spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but its to perform Scientific experiments in her makeshift laboratory,

I absolutely adored Elizabeth, she's determined to live her life how she wants to and refuses to let anybody tell her what she can and can't do. I definitely found myself looking up to her and wishing I could be more like her. She's steadfast and intimidating, especially to men who aren't used to a woman standing up to them. Through her cooking show she also becomes an inspiration to bored housewives stuck at home and unappreciated.

Whilst this book was absolutely hilarious and had me in stitches it also had some very sobering parts too, from Elizabeth's childhood and more recent past. I was honestly in awe of her at times after what she'd been through, to still be her witty and quirky self was a tantamount to the strong women she is.

I'm so glad I requested this book when it came through in an email from NetGalley,; I wasn't planning on requesting anymore until I'd got through some of my backlog but something told me to request this one and I'm lucky I did because it was sensational. As much as I'm in awe of Elizabeth Zott, I'm also in awe of Bonnie Garmus; what an amazing debut.

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I absolutely adored “Lessons in Chemistry”. It was such a down-to-earht and honest novel, that will definitely stay on my mind for a while.

While initiailly I wasn’t sure about the love story between Calvin and Elizabeth, I quickly got used to the style of writing – which was very down-to-earth – and I grew to enjoy the particularities of the characters in “Lessons in Chemistry”, especially Elizabeth. She’s such a strong character, not afraid to speak up and put her foot down no matter the circumstances, and I wish more women were like her in many ways.

Although set in the 1960s, I think that many lessons from “Lessons in Chemistry” are ever important (and applicable) now. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

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It's the early 1960's in the US, and Elizabeth Zott is insisting that she doesn't believe in the institution of marriage - even to her soulmate, fellow scientist Calvin Evans. Elizabeth is an iconic new heroine, an intelligent, independent feminist and a thoroughly admirable and progressive parent. This is the whipsmart, funny, poignant, page-turning story you've been waiting for; Elizabeth Zott and 'Lessons in Chemistry' are absolutely electric.

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If you’re a Mrs Maisel fan, you’ll hopefully appreciate this. Picture the 1960s and a chemist Elizabeth Zott – who can’t really be a chemist because she’s a woman. Moreover, Elizabeth is not your typical office worker; in the research institute in which she works, she won’t do the typical ‘female’ duties like make coffee or copies. She also won’t get a bit handy (if you know what I mean) with the male staff. But just as no one likes her for her aloofness, so too is Calvin Evans on the outs. A need for equipment necessitates Elizabeth stepping into Calvin’s life and while it’s not exactly rainbows and sunsets, it’s not a bad pairing. But it’s when she ends up in the spotlight, in front of an audience, something that she’s not exactly sure she wants, that Elizabeth really begins to blossom. There’s so much to say about this wonderful book that I can’t spoil it for a new reader. One of my favourite characters for 2022.

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***** 5 Stars!!!

Where to start!! What an amazing book….

It’s 1952, women marry, have children and stay at home, men are the decision makers and 100% in charge… it’s a man’s world…. Elizabeth Zott is trying to forge her way ahead as best she can as the only female chemist at Hastings Research Institute, she is not welcome there (unless she’s a secretary) & she is certainly not respected. People don’t understand her, they don’t like her. (She is most definitely on the spectrum but that wouldn’t have been known back then)

Elizabeth is a force and we follow her through the 50s & 60s as she causes an absolute storm challenging the norm and unapologetically Elizabeth.

Throw in Calvin Evans an award winning chemist who is equally as misunderstood (colleagues are threatened by his intellect)

Elizabeth and Calvin are such unique individuals and it just works… then there’s Mad, child prodigy, Harriet and Walter - I loved them all!!

Witty, a love story, an education, a bit of heart ache (I shed tears) it encompasses everything that you want in a book

Highly recommended - If you read any book released so far in 2022, this is it!!

Thank you to netgalley & the publisher for access to the digital arc in return for an honest review.

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Elizabeth Zott is a woman out of time. She is a career scientist, atheist and feminist BUT she is living in 1950s America, where none of these things are acceptable to the male dominant, chauvinistic society..
The story very much reflects the current times, sadly, where straight white men are still clinging on to power but are feeling threatened by the rise in social justice, equality and gender rights. The backlash to beat women and LGBTQ people back down through changes in law, such as anti-abortion and bans on gay literature etc, are hopefully desperate last gasps.
The delight in this book is to see her “kicking against the pricks” and winning in her own unique way and we can all learn from the lessons in chemistry that pervade this heartening, positive story: all states change.
The characters are engaging and empathetic; you could say that Elizabeth is prickly and distrustful of others, but given her treatment by people in positions of trust and enablement (both men and women), it is natural for her to be so. That she is determined and reveals a vulnerability as well makes her a character that steps off the page.
A joy to read and a call to recommit to social justice.

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It is such a gorgeous feeling when you know within moments of reading the first few lines of a new novel that you are in safe hands and that it will be a 5 star read - you relax immediately and just enjoy it. This is how I felt reading Lessons in Chemistry. The story centres around Elizabeth Zott, a student of chemistry, who is thwarted at every turn in her attempt to become the best in her field. Along the way she meets and falls in love with her male equal, Calvin Evans. What follows is a tale of following your passions, inequality, overcoming obstacles, the importance of friendship and trying your best in life but ultimately being true to yourself. It is clever, witty, charming, heart wrenching and inspiring. I absolutely loved it. If you enjoy the work of Maria Semple and Katherine Heiny, then you will absolutely adore this. I will be forcing this on everyone I know!

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Elizabeth Zott is my kind of person. And this is some very fine storytelling.

To be back in the world, without EZ and her matter-of-factness – her gumption – Real Humanness – her solid system of belief – and yes, her chemistry monomania – to be back in the world, without all of this, is honestly terrible. Absolutely terrible.

Let me walk you through this. Though it is one emotionally-charged story, and only reading it can make things right in this fairly horrible world we live in. Also, there is very little I can say without spoiling any of the twists-and-turns for you, and I would not even dream of it. In case you are wondering, however, you really do not want to miss out on EZ's lessons in chemistry.

Right. Coming of age in the 50s meant a lot of things. Most of them, admittedly, terribly-wrong-things. Society, still heavily patriarchal, hardly acknowledged the woman at all. Scratch that: it did not, or it did so only insofar as the woman's sole aspiration had to be that of marrying well and housewiv-ing. There was still the prevailing tendency of the male being under the absurd impression – I am trying not to hyperventilate here – that the woman was always-and-forever at his behest, to be sexually used at will. Disgusting. Or merely to be exploited for her brains, and never acknowledged. Paid much less than her male counterparts too, of course. Again: disgusting. (And one does wonder to what extent things have indeed changed for the ever-elusive better.)

The 50s/60s also meant corrupt religious institutions that feign charitable feelings for orphaned children. (Disgusting, this, to the power of powerlessness.) Calvin Evans, a brilliant precocious mind, ends up in one of these abhorrent institutions. And yet his story and its unfolding reserves startling levels of heartache and pain that reveal how much history truly gets wrong.

From her end, EZ suffers – with equanimity – the crude failures of society. She was born to be a force of nature. A scientist with an extraordinary mind. This serious-minded woman, constantly shrugged off by a world that envies her too-muchness and cannot begin to understand her. Too reasonable for her own good. And if there is one thing to be said about the workings of the world is that they are more often than not – no exaggeration here – based on reasonless assumptions. The world operates on fixed precepts that merely serve to perpetuate stifling determinations that depotentialise human beings. As opposed to, EZ stresses, chemistry: chemistry is change. And it is in all things. The potential to be and become, instilled in every moment of existence.

What is so impressive about this story is that there is nothing sentimental about it. The vision is crisp and powerfully channelled into plain words that carry feeling with a sense of knowingness. All of it – Elizabeth's early studying days, her years at the Hastings Research Institute, and her love encounter with Calvin Evans – is told soberly. What could have been a predictable, even unpleasant, regular love story, turned out to be, rather, a powerful, poignant look at the delicate brokenness of human beings. At the unlikely possibility of a connection that runs deeper than deep, but is made possible only through the risk - the choice to put oneself on the line. And insist on being real.

This novel veers away from the simplistic. It does not claim that religion is unequivocally false and corrupt. It does certainly expose the unbelievable inconsistencies that underlie religious belief, but it allows freedom of belief. Believing or not believing in God is just fine. Incidentally, the positive representative of religion, Reverend Wakely, admits that he does not believe in God.

The novel is also not blindly feminist. Its wish is to drive a point home: there is no end to what the human, women included, are able to do, by their very status of being human. If only the world would allow for sufficient gaps in the system. That need to be, perhaps, actually created by the individual. Against all odds.

It definitely offers loads of pondering-pockets. And that much more emotion. (Even, can you believe it?, through Six-Thirty, the dog!) The questions slipped into the narrative – about loss, love, and being true to whatever it is one needs to be doing in life – are strikingly relevant to all of us.

Bonnie Garmus is off to a brilliant start. I want to give this book 4.5 stars because I sense, deeply, what it was wanting to do – and it delivers.


Thanks go to Net Galley and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

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I had been seeing rave reviews for this one so I was a little hesitant at going in but wow, just wow!

This book gave me all the feels, happy and sad and everything in-between and Elizabeth Zott will be with me for a long time and I am genuinely sad that I have finished.

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What an amazing book! I really wish that I could give this book more than five stars, it really is that good! This will definitely be one of my top reads of 2022!
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.
But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of quality. 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.
I loved the whole premise of the book, and I did warm to Elizabeth and her quirks, after initially finding her slightly annoying! My favourite character though, had to be Six-Thirty and his intuitions.
I honestly don’t know what to say about this book to give it the full justice that it deserves, so I urge you to read it for yourself and see why I’m struggling to put it into words. It publishes on the 5th April 2022, but pre-order it now, ready to devour and be swept away to America in the 1960s and be ready to join in with Supper at Six.
Thank you to @netgalley, @doubleday books and @bonniegarmus for a gifted copy of this amazing book.

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This book is brilliant! It’s style is like nothing I’ve ever read before! It’s frustrating at times and makes you cheer at Elizabeth Zott’s tenacity at other times!
A great feminist novel. Fun and made me smile.

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Such a relatable read!

You follow a woman who is an unusual protagonist who by all accounts, shouldn’t work but does.

She’s trying to be the best mother and chemist she can and it’s very enjoyable experiencing her story.

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Really enjoyable read. Quirky, comedy and highlights discrimation faced by females in the past. Lovely characters and well written

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an Arc in exchange for an honest opinion

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Elizabeth Zotts life is a struggle, she struggles to get taken seriously by any of the men in her field. Until she meets the surprising and enigmatic Calvin Evans who changes her life for the better.

I absolutely loved this novel, fast paced and we'll written but not only that, I was completely invested in every single character and there heartbreaks and struggles! And the dog was a fantastic edition (don't worry he lives). I'll be recommending this to everyone in the store for sure!

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What a delightful story! Elizabeth Zott is a woman decades ahead of her time. She is very smart and knows it. She has absolute confidence in herself and her abilities. Elizabeth works in chemistry research at the Hastings Research Institute and has been trying to get support for research into abiogenesis (I had to look this up).

At Hastings she meets the love of her life - the equally brilliant and socially awkward Calvin Evans. Theirs is a match made in heaven. Elizabeth is not only attractive but intellectually Calvin’s equal although her underpaid and under appreciated position at Hastings would dictate otherwise. But then she is, after all, only a woman. And in the 1950s and 60s women did not do science. The men hate her because she doesn’t conform to the female stereotype of the era and she rejects their groping and won’t make their coffee. The women hate her because she attractive and all the men want to grope her!

One day a freak accident leads to Calvin’s death but he leaves her two very valuable things - the fully paid for house (which he had only just put into joint names) and an unexpected pregnancy. Her daughter Mad (aka) Madeline, being the product of two brilliant parents is a very brilliant (and unfortunately brutally honest) child. Her preschool teacher simply does not know what to make of her! When Elizabeth finally has to go back to work neighbour Harriet Sloan comes to the rescue, anything to get away from the increasingly revolting Mr Sloan! She also befriends Walter Pine, single father of Mad’s only friend Amy Pine.

It is Walter who comes to her rescue when she is sacked from her lowly lab assistant position at Hastings. She couldn’t get a better position out of the lying cheating Dr Donati (but karma comes for him soon enough). Together they come up with the idea of a show to fill an unfillable afternoon viewing slot at the TV station where Walter runs the programming and Supper at Six is born. Yet again Elizabeth can’t conform to expectations and runs the show as a chemistry class - after all cooking is all about chemistry. Again, she is eventually fired. But she has more allies than she realises and Harriet, Walter, Wakely (a very unpriestly priest that Mad befriended) and the formidable Mrs. F (I forget her name) from personnel at Hastings and her former enemy are all at hand and the magic happens.

These characters were simply delightful but it was Elizabeth, I think, who showed them all how to be their best selves and have faith in themselves. I mustn’t forget to mention Six-thirty, the canine star of the story. That is his name as that the time the stray saw something in Elizabeth and decided to follow her home. He is a very clever and has been taught hundreds of words. He is also very loyal and full of wit! Six-thirty ends up becoming essential to the smooth running of the household. I want one of him! Although I do have a darling dog of my own. Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

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This contains trigger warnings.

*sigh* I wanted to like this, I really did, and based on the premise I should have.

First of all this is described as "laugh out loud", it isn't. It's also described as being in the same vein as 'The Marvellous Mrs Maisel,' it isn't.

For something that is decribed as being hilarious, there was an awful lot of dark subject matter. While I understand that humour can be found in dark places etc, this wasn't it. The tone of the book was all over the place, like it didn't know what it wanted to be. It thought it was smarter and funnier than it was. I genuinely struggle to see what was so hilarious, I was mildly amused in some instances at most.

During this 'hilarious' story, there is a brutal rape in chapter 3, death of a spouse, implied paedaphilia, abuse, abandonment, bullying, a second sexual assault and sexism. Again, I don't have a problem with the subject matter, I do have a problem with the execution of the subjects and the marketing of the book.

Elizabeth as a main character just isn't that likeable. I get that she is supposed to be super intelligent and 'quirky' but she doesn't feel like a real person for much of the book, there is nothing to connect to. She also speaks like she is quoting from a textbook about sexism and feminism which does not feel genuine or organic. It felt more like the author was lecturing us. Also don't get me started about her daughter and how intelligent and advanced she was at a ridiculously young age. Of course she had a genius daughter. *eye roll*

The cooking show doesn't come into play until at least half way through the book. Theres also a subplot regarding her husband's parentage which just felt...tiring by that point to be honest. Oh...we also get the dogs POV for alot of the story, which was a choice. To be fair, I was more invested and in the dog than Elizabeth and would have preferred the whole book in his voice. At least you could connect with him...the dog. 🤔

The 2nd half of the book was a little better than the first and it had a more positive ending at least. I've given it 2 stars because I did like the love story between Elizabeth and Calvin, as short lived as it was. It was very sweet, with two lonely nerds and outcasts meeting and forming such a strong bond.

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