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A review by brooke_review
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lessons in Chemistry is one of those novels that I have a strong love-hate relationship with ... to the point that I go back and forth on my feelings about the book from day to day. If you haven't yet heard about this oft-recommended novel, Lessons in Chemistry is about a female chemist-turned-TV show star, who finds herself battling female stereotypes and prejudices as she attempts to make a name (and living) for herself in the 1950s and '60s. Naturally, a woman making waves in science during this "women belong in the home" period in time is not going to be met without opposition ... and that's what Lessons in Chemistry is all about.
So, let's start with the good. Author Bonnie Garmus envelops readers in science, making chemistry almost a character of its own in her book. As someone whose worst subject in school WAS chemistry, I appreciated that Garmus did not lose me entirely as she invited me into main character Elizabeth Zott's world. As a fan of historical fiction, I also enjoyed how Garmus brought the 1950s and early 1960s to life, complete with the many hurdles and hoops women had to jump over and through to be deemed relevant and noteworthy. I especially loved the cooking show aspect of the novel, which was just a lot of fun and a breath of fresh air.
On the other hand, I will be the first to say that Elizabeth Zott is an entirely unlikeable character. Unfortunately, I prefer to relate to and like the characters I am reading about, so Elizabeth Zott rubbed me the wrong way more times than I could count. Furthermore, Lessons in Chemistry required me to suspend disbelief on several occasions, as Garmus used a few unusual plot devices and storylines. For one, Elizabeth Zott's dog Six-Thirty becomes a primary character in the novel. Don't get me wrong - I love dogs, especially dogs that survive to the end of the story - but through omnipresent narration, Garmus treated Six-Thirty as human, inviting readers into his innermost thoughts and workings, which I must say, were quite complex. Similarly, (potential spoilers ahead) Elizabeth Zott's daughter, Mad Zott, was apparently born a genius straight out the womb with complete knowledge of the world. It was hard to believe that a 4 year old child was THAT intelligent and savvy about the world, yet was treated like any normal child by her own mother.
In all, Lessons in Chemistry is an accessible, enjoyable novel with a few quirky things that don't quite work. It is definitely worth a read if you plan on watching the Apple TV series, which is quite well done. I myself both read and watched the series simultaneously, so I was able to completely get absorbed in Elizabeth Zott's world.
So, let's start with the good. Author Bonnie Garmus envelops readers in science, making chemistry almost a character of its own in her book. As someone whose worst subject in school WAS chemistry, I appreciated that Garmus did not lose me entirely as she invited me into main character Elizabeth Zott's world. As a fan of historical fiction, I also enjoyed how Garmus brought the 1950s and early 1960s to life, complete with the many hurdles and hoops women had to jump over and through to be deemed relevant and noteworthy. I especially loved the cooking show aspect of the novel, which was just a lot of fun and a breath of fresh air.
On the other hand, I will be the first to say that Elizabeth Zott is an entirely unlikeable character. Unfortunately, I prefer to relate to and like the characters I am reading about, so Elizabeth Zott rubbed me the wrong way more times than I could count. Furthermore, Lessons in Chemistry required me to suspend disbelief on several occasions, as Garmus used a few unusual plot devices and storylines. For one, Elizabeth Zott's dog Six-Thirty becomes a primary character in the novel. Don't get me wrong - I love dogs, especially dogs that survive to the end of the story - but through omnipresent narration, Garmus treated Six-Thirty as human, inviting readers into his innermost thoughts and workings, which I must say, were quite complex. Similarly, (potential spoilers ahead) Elizabeth Zott's daughter, Mad Zott, was apparently born a genius straight out the womb with complete knowledge of the world. It was hard to believe that a 4 year old child was THAT intelligent and savvy about the world, yet was treated like any normal child by her own mother.
In all, Lessons in Chemistry is an accessible, enjoyable novel with a few quirky things that don't quite work. It is definitely worth a read if you plan on watching the Apple TV series, which is quite well done. I myself both read and watched the series simultaneously, so I was able to completely get absorbed in Elizabeth Zott's world.