Set in the 1950s and 60s, Elizabeth Zott has followed her dreams and has become a scientist. However, despite being a genius, she isn’t taken seriously because she’s a woman.

On meeting Calvin Evans, another brilliant scientist, she finds her soul mate. They understand each other and encourage each other. However *shock horror * they are living in sin which has no effect on Calvin’s career, but devastates Elizabeth’s career and reputation.

An unexpected disaster results in Elizabeth raising a child on her own - well, with the assistance of Six-thirty (her intelligent dog) and her older neighbour, Harriet - and Elizabeth ends up fronting a cooking show “Supper at Six”, with Elizabeth’s unusual presenting style influencing the down-trodden women of the nation.

I loved this book. The writing style flowed easily, the characters all did exactly what I needed to provide a funny and engaging read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Sadly, I was not a fan of this book. After reading all the hype I was expecting to be bowled over, particularly by the central character, however I didn't really "get it" and thought the story was too contrived and a bit odd

This has to be my favourite book of the year so far. Fascinating, eye-opening, and heart warming. Beautifully written and the characters so exquisitely drawn - especially six-thirty! I’m recommending this book to everyone and have persuaded my book club to read this one next.

Lessons in Chemistry is a delightful read from beginning to end with a truly remarkable lead character who I defy anyone not to fall in love with.

Set in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it is the story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist who struggles to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world. When life takes some unexpected turns, she finds herself presenting a cooking show and whilst her science-dominated approach is somewhat unusual, she becomes an unlikely star who offers her viewers so much more than how to cook dinner.

Delightful in its quirkiness, this is a book that manages to balance perfectly an exploration of serious issues around gender equality with a humour that shines through. Elizabeth is a truly memorable character, as is her precocious daughter Mad and one of the most unforgettable dogs in literature, Six-Thirty. it is a fabulous read and I have no doubt destined to be one of my books of the year.

I absolutely loved how funny this book was. It was so logical and straightforward that it made the ordinary things of every day seem funny in context.

Elizabeth Zott is a very direct person and that makes being a scientist in 1950s America very difficult. She is not taken seriously at work, especially as she’s a single woman. Then she meets Calvin Evans, a fellow scientist at her firm, a child prodigy with a very tragic past. They are both considered outsiders and so they start working together, dating and just when they were going to get engaged, Calvin dies in a tragic accident, leaving Elizabeth pregnant, alone and unemployed due to her ‘condition’.

The story follows Elizabeth, as she raises her daughter with the help of the dog, Six Thirty, who has a near human vocabulary, and the neighbour who is in a loveless marriage and looking to get out of the house as much as possible. Elizabeth keeps up with her research and builds a laboratory in her kitchen, all the while preparing delicious, nutritious meals to ensure her daughter’s development.

When she finds out a fellow child at her daughter’s school is eating the carefully prepared meals, she tells the parent off, and it turns out he works at a local television studio. Elizabeth is so passionate about chemistry and proper nutrition that he offers her a tv show, an afternoon cooking show for housewives. She captivates the whole world and becomes an instant sensation. But there's a mystery around Calvin and his family, and who’s really funding Elizabeth’s research at the lab.

The writing is crisp, direct and so dry. Elizabeth’s manner is so particular and I couldn’t get enough. I loved the descriptions of her tv show episodes and the mystery woven throughout the novel. This novel is one of a kind and I cannot wait to see what Bonnie Garmus has up her sleeve next.

An overall interesting concept, which again seems to highlight the socio-cultural issues of our time - women, STEM, empowerment and change, And i can't say that Bonnie Garmus doesn't achieve this is in abundance in this book.

Initially what grabs readers is this wonderful protagonist - as a leading lady, true to the blurb, Elizabeth Zott 'is not your average woman'. She is quirky and admirable and strong. A woman who rationalises the world around her using numbers and chemistry, and she does so with force of nature-like personality. I am not wholly on board however with the storytelling, the perspective point and the continuation of not-so-obvious compromises which are still made in lieu of the way this book was marketed.
Not quite the quirky, romantic-but-feminist tale told in the blurb - indeed a lot of my issues arose within the prose content and events themselves. In liking Zott enough, my opinion on the presentation of her world is perhaps saved slightly. Still though I am at a bit of a loss as to how to figure out what was quirky and what was retrograded positioning of Garmus almost still making excuses for a female protagonist who knows her own mind, pursuing it relentlessly. With everything she is - chemist, mother, fearlessly bold in her intelligence etc - Zott is still portrayed as being that little bit 'too' quirky - perhaps what we could consider leaning towards the suggestion of having some autistic tendencies at times. There are hints and suggestions that her nuances are due to this - that furthermore, there is some leeway about her lifestyle that makes it acceptable because of these nuances.
I wonder still, given the premise of the book and the events Elizabeth is tied up amongst, why she needs this additional facet of her character suggested so often to almost 'allow' for the quirkiness of being an intelligent chemist, scientist who is also a television personality, Unfortunately this then tarnished a lot of my reading, as I spent many chapters wondering if she was presented as a genuinely powerful and strong female, rather than one who 'had her quirks', how it could have made for a different experience altogether.
What also seems to then juxtapose the characterisation of Elizabeth, and the genre category is the language used towards her, the brutality of male attitudes and furthermore the homophobia that is also threaded through the narrative. Granted, in context, this is all truth of an era and the workplace. But it just jarred too much, in a way that meant the story didn't sit right, and it became disjointed in style, genre and character. There are two extremes at work here and thus the novel is not relatable nor believable in the majority of its pages.
Early, I indeed root for the central couple. I liked the way Garmus gives Zott both career and motherhood. But the over-selling, the hyperbolic situations and caricatures of male/female, religion/atheist, science v religion, all men are misogynists/all women are repressed became tedious, exhausting and filled too many pages.
in separate component parts - a great piece of writing with good intentions. In reality the execution ruined the premise and for me this dragged for the second half. Miles away from the funny but empowering story I was going for. Such a shame as I really did like Zott - I just couldn't reconcile myself with a belief that that was her world...

With thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #LessonsinChemistry

I've heard so much about this book, so many people naming it as their book of the year...and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. Its funny, relatable and such an enjoyable read that I was sad when it finished and I dont say that about many books!! Highly recommended. Thanks to Bonnie Garmus, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

‘...Cooking is serious science. In fact, it’s chemistry.’ (p45)

The thing that is really interesting about this book- the thing that's captivating and makes one suggest it to others- is how it views women. It explores what men expect of women, what scientists expect of other scientists but also what women expect of other women. This view that a woman's place is within the home (both to look after the house and to raise the children) is also expected by the women of the period. Thus, there is a dichotomy between what is expected of Zott and what she does. Unsurprisingly from a modern lens, few people take kindly to it, but the book challenges how few options any of the women have.

It is fascinating to read about someone who is a challenger of and instigator behind a change in societal expectations, which now do not feel all that radical. However, back then, it was hugely unexpected and, to some people, abhorrent that a woman would wish to do anything even slightly against the norm, let alone the opposite of her female ancestors.

The book follows women in the 1950s and the oppressive nature that they have to live within. Oppression feels like a strong word but also the right word. Women have this small world that they have to live in but have no options, either on how to get off of their (supposedly) only path or what they can do when they suddenly find themselves deviating from their only path. For example, it is expected that women will have children, yet having a child out of wedlock is unacceptable, and so is having an abortion (ignoring the religious implications or context in this case). Zott voices this perfectly when facing consequences for her pregnancy (p113). The same sanctions would never be imposed on a man, not even the man who got her pregnant, but when she voices her own opinion on pregnancy, she is told she is wrong. Everything we think of as an old-fashioned view regarding womanhood is laid bare in this book. It is powerfully destructive to be reminded of it, especially considering this happened within living memory.

‘I don’t want to be a scientist,’ she snapped. ‘I am a scientist!’ (p21)

The writing is what makes this book. It is beautifully nuanced, exploring the motivations and viewpoints of every character encountered. Whilst this creates a slow pace, it gives a rich backstory, not just for individuals but also for the situational context. This lends understanding to the institutional boundaries and restraints existing prior to Zott joining the field and those directed solely at her.

Although, it's rather like it is hoisted by its own petard. The writing is so emotive, so effective at creating this feeling of unease, of irritation, of anger and frustration at what is happening, what has happened and what you can see is inevitable that it makes it difficult to feel the happy emotions. Zott and Evans' relationship is beautiful but it feels like one is looking at it through a window rather than experiencing it; the joyous feelings are tainted by their external pressures. It's further frustrating because it's true- these are events that could so easily have occurred during that period. As the reader, it's annoying that one cannot revel in the nice events because the negative ones overshadow them.

It is true but doesn't make for a comfortable reading experience.

Yet, while some characters and their views are portrayed in a shameful light, others are given balance. Reasons are given for why they have the opinions that they do, where they've come from and what reinforces them- Mrs Sloan is a brilliant example of this- which culminates in a richer backdrop for Zott. Although, by far, the Reverend brought about the biggest reaction; it is a convenient introduction but a thoroughly pleasing one.

As a book that honestly and brutally describes examples of female oppression, this is brilliant. As a book that offers a pleasing reading experience, it lacks a certain charm.

‘Chemistry is change and change is the core of your belief system. Which is good because that’s what we need more of- people who refuse to accept the status quo, who aren’t afraid to take on the unacceptable.’ (p356)

Which is rather the point. It's only once fully immersed in the world of Elizabeth Zott does her reasoning make sense. It is easy to feel that we can and should compromise on some aspects, but she is an example of how changes might arise if someone was unapologetic in their beliefs. Zott does not get a neat story because that would be the exception, not the rule.

We would all like a dog like Six-Thirty, though.

I'm not sure what I expected considering the hype about this book, but this wasn't it.

It is the story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist and her TV show Supper at Six where she was hired as a TV cook, teaching housewives to cook, but instead seems to do this rather strange chemistry show which ends up with food in one way or another.

Set in the 1960s there is a strong feminist air as Elizabeth fights against misogyny in order to maintain her career as a chemist. So far so good.

What I struggled with was how peculiar she was! She is so anti-female role as to be farcical. She turns her kitchen into a lab and makes coffee with a Bunsen burner and beakers. The overall theme that women are just as capable as men, is bang on BUT the author has to present the catalyst as a totally unbelievable character therefore perpetuating the ideas that women who want to work and are educated are odd.

In fact, all of the characters were caricatures with perhaps the only believable character being Harriet.

I tend to avoid hyped books, as I very often don’t get on with them, but Lessons in Chemistry was recommended by so many people I trust and they did not steer me wrong!

I really enjoyed this book – with the caveat that Elizabeth Zott’s treatment in her professional life is utterly infuriating – as Elizabeth is a refreshing and unique character who is thoroughly ahead of her time.

Despite her ambition to work as a research chemist, she finds herself confined in the box that society has tried to make for her and, almost by accident, begins presenting an afternoon cooking show for women. But this is no ordinary cooking show, as Elizabeth turns her analytical brain to the process of cooking and, while presenting mid-week dishes, she’s also opening up her audience to their own potential.

This was just such a refreshing book – Elizabeth is a great character who is totally secure in her abilities and her ideas of how the world should be. The fact that the world does not want to work in the way that is obviously the correct one, is a source of constant irritation to her. Despite her being held back in her professional life, she is able to find love with the perfect man for her and even when tragedy strikes she is able to put her brilliant mind to the task of living.

Thoroughly enjoyable and quite remarkable for a debut author, but also, if you can find any remaining hard back editions of this book there are some beautiful ones with periodic table endpapers and sprayed edges – just lovely!

One of my favourite reads of the year. This book is clever and funny and a fast-paced romp following the very likeable lead character who is ahead of her time in so many ways. Reminiscent of 'The Rosie Project' the characters are warm and likeable and you root for them from start to finish.

I so know what Elizabeth felt, even though it was more subtle for me? My boss told me when I announced I was pregnant, that he wouldn't have promoted me if he'd known, and yes, trousers were banned for work, and this was 1976!,!
I think we should have her cookery programme on TV as Heston has taught us that cookery is chemistry and we still need lots of girls to believe they can do science, especially those from mixed gender schools.
I just couldn't put the book down. The characters were such that I rooted for them from the beginning, and Elizabeth was an interesting person to have such convictions of her worth in science in that era when, in the USA, there was such a strong 'homemaker' culture for women to bolster the men who had come back from WW2. They had to give up their wartime jobs for the men, and provide a new generation to replace the wartime losses.
A great book that all teenagers should read to understand their grandmothers history.

This was a fun read with lots going on behind the scenes. Squarely set in the 1960s but with a main character who sounds more like a 2021 feminist, we learn to love this quirky scientist and her daughter and their support team. We even fall in love with her husband, taken from us far too early in the book. I will be recommending this book to anyone looking for a feel-good read with a good dose of literary quality - something that is hard to find!

Thanks to NetGalley UK for an e-galley of this book. I look forward to discussing it with my book club!

I loved this book - it took a while to get into but once you're in, I think it was the arrival of Six Thirty for me, it has you completely by the heart and eyeballs.
Bonnie Garmus has created a wonderful array of characters that you can see in vivid 3d in your head, you laugh and cry and cheer them all on in their own ways. It was a fantastic uplifting read that gives you great hope. I shall be recommending it to all our readers!

I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. I downloaded it a while ago and then it got lost in my huge TBR list. I started it because I couldn’t quite decide what to read, and kind of just picked something because I kept seeing it everywhere. I totally loved it. Some of it made me cry, and lots of it made me angry and now I’m recommending it to everyone I know. Read it!

The story revolves around a woman, Elizabeth who encounters sexual discrimination in her work as a scientist but finds unexpected success as the presenter of a cooking show.

Although I suspected this book was a little out of my comfort zone, a bit too much of a ‘feel good’ story, it received so many glowing reviews I had to try it.

The most compelling sections of the story for me were those describing the patronising attitudes, misogyny and harassment the main protagonist suffered at work and in the laboratory. That seemed horribly realistic.

I was less enthralled by the scenes of Elizabeth’s idiosyncratic insistence that she get her own way.
The narrative seemed to be either praising her ‘woman power’ or excusing her with the implication she had problems with social interaction. However, it glosses over and ignores the serious consequences that would have, in reality, faced those surrounding her due to her almost complete disregard of their justified concerns. Because this is a feel good book things all turned out fine, but it did make me like Elizabeth quite a lot less.

Also if I wanted to take a critical look at the story I would raise an eye-brow at the premise that a female scientist who has difficulties in the research field finds happiness in the kitchen!
And its conclusion involved a lot of fortuitous coincidences, requiring rather too much exposition, leading to a fairytale –Hallmark ending.

But ultimately it was an easy-going read with a touch of depth to add flavour.
3.5 stars but worth rounding-up.
Recommended for anyone looking for something a little lighter but not too fluffy.

Wow, what a book! Absolute five stars. A powerful debut! A beautiful story and the most endearing and relatable cast of characters. I feel like I can’t say much except READ IT! Absolutely worth the hype.

I enjoyed this book. Set in the 1960s when women were supposed to be housewives and homemakers, Elizabeth Zott wanted to be a scientist and chemist. I read this in two days and didn't want to finish it. A definite recommendation.

I don't know if I expected too much of this book after all of the hype surrounding it but I was disappointed. The themes and era are definitely interesting and it's wonderful to have such a strong, self-confident main character but for me, it was too long and repetitive. The only bright spot was Six Thirty and if not for him, I would have given this book three stars instead of four.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely adored this quirky, heart warming story. Elizabeth Zott is a wonderful, intelligent, passionate woman. She’s also a scientist which I enjoy seeing being represented in books. She’s actually a brilliant scientist!
Feminism is the main theme throughout this book. Men’s treatment and dismissal of women and any of their ideas. It’s so frustrating to read because we know how far things have come since the 60s but still we are not far enough.
I found this a very engaging read with well written characters, wait until you meet Six-Thirty. I hear this will be adapted for into either a movie or tv series. Looking forward to watching it.