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A review by crazygoangirl
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Definitely the best read of the year so far!
This book was a ‘complete’ reading experience in that it had the holy trinity of a good book in my opinion - superb cast of characters, good plot and great writing! Well paced with just the right amount of unpredictability and a smooth narrative flow, it had a dynamism that made it hard to put down!
This is a slice of life tale set in the Fifties and early Sixties about a gifted young chemist, Elizabeth Zott, who is beautiful, intelligent and hardworking for all the good that does her! Women are second-class citizens in a patriarchal society and she faces all the usual challenges life in that period entails. Bullied and abused at work by her all male, smug, entitled and often dumb colleagues, she holds her own, learns new skills and adapts while always staying true to her principles and for that I admire her! She’s both a symbol of and a role model for her time.
The rest of this quirky cast of characters is equally lovable. Calvin Evans, one of the ‘good’ men in the book, a product of the times but willing to learn and change, who loves Elizabeth in the way she needs to be loved; precocious Mad Zott - a testament to her Mother’s quirky parenting; Harriet Sloane - a troubled woman and the bestest of friends; Walter - another ‘good’ man capable of recognising and honouring talent when he sees it, often to his own detriment; Reverend Bakely - a good friend and mentor to both Calvin and Mad; Avery Parker - another woman victim of her time who battles hard to right the wrongs and my my absolute favourite Six-Thirty - I hesitate to call him a dog, although he would be horrified to be thought of as anything else since he clearly belongs to the superior species - self-appointed friend, guide, word fiend and protector - he has my ♥️
It is such a delight when a book ticks every box and more. This one does that in spades. Garmus’ writing is pitch perfect, she tackles tough themes with grace, her humour is spot on, her characters fascinating and her plotting highly satisfactory! This is a definite future re-read☺️
Highly recommended!
This book was a ‘complete’ reading experience in that it had the holy trinity of a good book in my opinion - superb cast of characters, good plot and great writing! Well paced with just the right amount of unpredictability and a smooth narrative flow, it had a dynamism that made it hard to put down!
This is a slice of life tale set in the Fifties and early Sixties about a gifted young chemist, Elizabeth Zott, who is beautiful, intelligent and hardworking for all the good that does her! Women are second-class citizens in a patriarchal society and she faces all the usual challenges life in that period entails. Bullied and abused at work by her all male, smug, entitled and often dumb colleagues, she holds her own, learns new skills and adapts while always staying true to her principles and for that I admire her! She’s both a symbol of and a role model for her time.
The rest of this quirky cast of characters is equally lovable. Calvin Evans, one of the ‘good’ men in the book, a product of the times but willing to learn and change, who loves Elizabeth in the way she needs to be loved; precocious Mad Zott - a testament to her Mother’s quirky parenting; Harriet Sloane - a troubled woman and the bestest of friends; Walter - another ‘good’ man capable of recognising and honouring talent when he sees it, often to his own detriment; Reverend Bakely - a good friend and mentor to both Calvin and Mad; Avery Parker - another woman victim of her time who battles hard to right the wrongs and my my absolute favourite Six-Thirty - I hesitate to call him a dog, although he would be horrified to be thought of as anything else since he clearly belongs to the superior species - self-appointed friend, guide, word fiend and protector - he has my ♥️
It is such a delight when a book ticks every box and more. This one does that in spades. Garmus’ writing is pitch perfect, she tackles tough themes with grace, her humour is spot on, her characters fascinating and her plotting highly satisfactory! This is a definite future re-read☺️
Highly recommended!