Lessons in Chemistry

This book is so hard to review... on one hand the writing and story were absolutely brilliant, especially in the way that it unfolded. On the other, I felt like that political messages were quite heavy-handed especially towards the end. It also was anti-religion for the entirety of the novel. Religion was branded as the source of all evil starting with Elizabeth's parents all the way towards Avery's backstory.

I think for me it was a 5-star read up until the 60% mark and then the messaging made it harder for me to pick it up after putting it down.

I got this book for my birthday and I'm so glad I enjoyed it so I didn't have to tell them I absolutely hated it 😂 I understand the negative reviews, but in my opinion this book is a lot more enjoyable if you don't think of it as trying to be the most accurate representation of everything but as a bit of an exaggeration to prove a point on themes which are still very relevant today. 

Moving, funny, touching, and at times infuriating. The characters are all so well-written that they almost jump off the page. The story was interesting and well-paced. The audiobook narration by Miranda Raison was the icing on the cake!

Bardzo dobra książka poruszająca wiele ważnych tematów. Ogromny plus za Szóstą Trzydzieści i Mad. Poza tym – zbieram myśli, ale już czuję, że będę polecać ją jeszcze nie raz

WHAT THE DOG DOIN'

At a certain point I managed to ignore my irritations at all the hyperbole, and fully bought into this. And then it was a wonderful and entertaining romp!

Yes, she's an obnoxious mouthpiece from today, speaking to the world of yesterday, but who cares. It's fun. Yes, the precocious daughter is way over the top. And yes, the mysterious family connection was telegraphed from miles away. But 6:30 is a delight, and all the tearjerk moments at the end were worth it.

An utterly refreshing read!
Gives great insight into women's lives in the '60s, in a tongue in cheek, humorous way.
Thoroughly enjoyed.

A book that might be as good as Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow!

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is unique, revelatory, funny, poignant, insightful and outrageous while being a treatise on sexism and its origins in America. At once absurd and filled with horrible as well as heartwarming reality it is a romance and a bildungsroman for our time and our lives. How we can like Calvin and Elizabeth as much as we do is testament to Garmus's talented prose, absurd plotting and the influence of Mad, who isn't mad (in the sense of crazy) at all. And there is a dog, of course, Six-Thirty, who understands life deeply through smell, and who, by the end of the book, knows 981 words. And why wasn't the cover a reproduction of Mad's family tree?

What a wonderful book!

Bonnie Garmus is not a scientist, but wrote a far more interestingly structured novel with chemistry as a background than the other writer who is an actual scientist who based her book from Star Wars characters.

Also, 6:30 is my favorite part of this book.

CHEMISTRY IS CHANGE, she wrote. “Whenever you start doubting yourself,” she said, turning back to the audience, “whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change—and change is what we're chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others' opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.”

Elizabeth Zott is one of the best protagonists out of the hundreds of books I've read and puts her into a multitude of scenarios that constantly put her charismatic personality against the patriarchy while she tries to dismantle the bigotry within society. Absolutely deserves the book of the year from Barnes and Noble.

What an amazing story! It took a few chapters for me to get into, but then I couldn't put it down.

CW: sexual assault, rampant sexism, death of a loved oneElizabeth Zott is one of those fictional heroines whose name will go down in modern literary history like [b:Olive Kitteridge 1736739 Olive Kitteridge (Olive Kitteridge, #1) Elizabeth Strout https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320430655l/1736739.SY75.jpg 3263906] or Eleanor Olyphant. She is brilliant, single-minded, stern, uncompromising and fiercely protective of the few people (and animals) she loves. Following her epic struggle to be taken seriously as a chemist in the 1950s/60s will break your heart, enrage you and, surprisingly, make you laugh. Much of the book takes place during her stint as a TV cooking host, as she eschews what the network wants (attractive wifey wearing appropriately sexy clothes while making a few easy recipes that culminate in a cocktail finale) in favor of distinctive, no-nonsense instructions for using chemistry to understand how recipe ingredients interact. She inspires millions of women (and pisses off a few as well), but all she wants is to get back to her life work in abiogenesis. For anyone who thinks the sexism in the book is exaggerated, let me refer you to several songs from the hit 1960s Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying) : “A Secretary is Not a Toy,” and “I'm So Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm,” as well as the lyrics to same era's Fiorello! ditty “Marry the Very Next Man” And if he likes me,Who cares how frequently he strikes me?I'll fetch his slippers with my arm in a slingJust for the privilege of wearing his ring Unfortunately Elizabeth's fictional experiences of the worst kind of male chauvinism are totally believable.I loved the way Garmus weaves little interactions with secondary characters into the story, bringing them together in unexpected ways as the plot develops. I didn't always love Elizabeth but I rooted for her wholeheartedly. Lessons in Chemistry deserves all of the buzz it's getting as a strong debut and one of the best books of 2022.

This story could never happen but it certainly was an entertaining book and a brilliant debut novel.

Very empowering!!! Who run the world??

DNF because I find historical fiction that insists on foisting characters with modern mores into the tale like its clever tiresome. Also too much telling, not enough showing.

Absolutely love this book.

Giving it a five star rating because it made me laugh even though the discrimination Elizabeth Zott faced was no laughing matter. A thoroughly brisk and enjoyable book despite the long flashback.

“[b:Lessons in Chemistry 58065033 Lessons in Chemistry Bonnie Garmus https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634748496l/58065033.SY75.jpg 90356333]” by [a:Bonnie Garmus 21370624 Bonnie Garmus https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1634023482p2/21370624.jpg] was one of those rare reading delights that kept me glued to my Kindle for “just one more chapter”. Go read the blurb if you want to know what this novel is actually about. Meanwhile, maybe on the sixth attempt, I'll find a way to express my joy about having read this book which hit all the right notes for me: As the father of a daughter with a razor-sharp mind, I was infuriated about the despicable treatment Elizabeth receives.»“We can learn more, we can go further, but to accomplish this, we must throw open the doors. Too many brilliant minds are kept from scientific research thanks to ignorant biases like gender and race. It infuriates me and it should infuriate you. Science has big problems to solve: famine, disease, extinction. And those who purposefully close the door to others using self-serving, outdated cultural notions are not only dishonest, they're knowingly lazy.”«We've come a long way since the 60ties but we still suffer from all that Elizabeth mentions and more and yet we still discriminate based on gender, race, sexual orientation, etc.Many companies out there still pay their female employees less than their male counterparts for the same work! Even today many companies out there wouldn't even consider hiring a transgender person; regardless of their qualification! Yes, that does infuriate me a lot!In my country, Germany, the churches are actually allowed to fire people who leave organised faith. They are also allowed to reject applicants based on their faith - while simultaneously complaining about lack of applicants!That also infuriates me!Yes, when it comes to such topics I'm a really angry man.And along comes Bonnie Garmus and writes an easily-readable novel that no intellectually honest person could read and refute its core message: We're all humans and we should receive the same fair treatment.Garmus, though, doesn't need a soapbox to step on and shout out her anger: With lots of warmth, humour, empathy and understanding she shows us how absurdly unfair the times of Elizabeth Zott must have been...»“Sex discrimination,” she answered, taking the number-two pencil she always wore either behind her ear or in her hair and tapping it with emphasis on the table. “But also, politics, favoritism, inequality, and general unfairness.”«... how far we've come...»“Excuse me, Father,” Calvin said, leafing through his copy, “but there's a problem with mine. Some of the pages are missing.”- “They're not missing, Calvin,” the priest said. “They've been removed.”“Why?”- “Because they're wrong, that's why. Now open your books to page one hundred nineteen, boys. We'll start with—”“Evolution's missing,” Calvin persisted, riffling through the pages.- “That's enough, Calvin.”“But—”The ruler cracked down hard against his knuckles.«... but also how far we've yet to go...»“Specifically, I wanted to ask: Don't you think it's possible to believe in both God and science?”- “Sure,” Calvin had written back. “It's called intellectual dishonesty.”«By far not everything was fun and light - at times I could almost feel the pain experienced by Elizabeth. And yet she never gives up - sometimes even against her own wishes because she refuses to give in to what people expect of her.Elizabeth Zott refuses to be kept down, she refuses to be held back and be told what she can or cannot do. She doesn't cater to the expectations of a male-dominated society. Yes, she harbours doubt - like we all do at times - but in contrast to many of us, she struggles on.It all boils down to this:»“Whenever you start doubting yourself,” she said, turning back to the audience, “whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change—and change is what we're chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others' opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.”«Five stars out of five!: Seventh attempt post scriptum: No, I'm still not entirely happy with this review but I don't think I can do any better - so go and read this great novel yourself!Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

A horrifying look at a woman's place in the world circa 1960s. Unfortunately, some men's behavior is only marginally better. Ending was a bit predictable.

I loved this book. I read it cover to cover in one (sick) day. It was exactly the pick-me-up/good cry I needed. I went in basically blind, except that I had corrected my understanding it was a romance novel — while there is a romance in it that much of the plot spins on, it's much more of a story of “found family” and women supporting other women.

Elizabeth is an extraordinary woman who is able to see clearly the social/cultural structures that those around her merely abide by. She calls it like she sees it calmly and rationally, and allows those around her to have temper tantrums without mothering them.

The book isn't perfect — issues of intersectionality/race are touched on only superficially, ambition and work take center stage as what women truly want, and the rational/empirical perspective that Elizabeth takes — while inspiring in the context of the book — is not critically examined. Rationality and empiricism are seen as antidotes to oppressive cultural views, while in reality they are themselves just as much a part of the culture and worldview that Elizabeth so strongly critiques.

Having said that, for me/at the time that I read it, I was able to fully enjoy Elizabeth's certainty that if you treat everyone around you like an independent adult with opinions, ideas, and aspirations of their own (including women, children, and older people) they will surprise and delight you. It is a 5-star book for me because it was exactly the heartfelt read I needed, and I can personally look past some of the critiques I raised above given the quality of the story, characters, and plot.

I'm all in for a first time novelist making her literary debut at 64 and absolutely killing it. You might dismiss this as a feminist fairytale set in the 1960's if it wasn't for the fact the writing is just so delightfully sharp and fun. Naturally Elizabeth Zott is at once gorgeous, smart and fearless - the love of her life Calvin Evans is a Nobel Prize nominated scientific wunderkind, her kid is clearly a genius in the making, and even their dog Six-Thirty is a thoughtful animal with a growing understanding of English words under his collar. Even when Elizabeth Zott begrudgingly transitions out of the labs of the Hastings Research Institute and into the mid afternoon slot as the host of a TV cooking show, her Supper at Six inevitably becomes a nationwide sensation. This smart but wacky ensemble can't help bring to mind the equally lovely Where'd You Go Bernadette - and like Maria Semple's book, Lessons in Chemistry is also coming out with its own adaptation featuring Brie Larson.

But it's not all sugar and spice here, Elizabeth has to contend with misogyny, petty jealousies, dismissiveness, sexual assault and intense grief to say nothing of the sheer nail biting unknown of being a first time mom. This isn't an overburdened, navel gazing examination of feminist empowerment - I can only imagine how plodding and morose it might have been if this were about a man - rather this is a wry story of one woman's satisfying engagement with adversity, being underestimated and getting it done in spite of it all. Sure it follows a sort of too good to be true bookish logic and conventional story arc that nonetheless should not get in the way of enjoying what is an entirely entertaining, fist pumping read.

Loved this character!

This book was a delight. It made me laugh, made me angry, made me shake my head at the absurdity of our culture sometimes. Elizabeth Zott would be on my list of literary characters I would love to have a meal with, although she would never agree to such an activity. One of my favorite books this year!

I really loved this book. I read this book for my book club. It was nothing like I imagined it would be... and I am so happy for that.
This book was funny, and heartbreaking, and inspiring... and so, so good.
I love the characters and their journey of discovery, self-acceptance, personal growth and forgiveness. I absolutely love Elizabeth. I admit that, more than once, I wanted to tell her: “You don't always have to swim against the current. Sometimes you can play the system , instead of fighting it”. But I am glad she would never had taken my advise. She would never have compromised her principles to make it easier on herself.
And I love this completely unlikely family she was able to gather around her.
“Let's say supper at six, then,” Elizabeth said, not wanting her to go. “The home lab. Everyone—you, Wilson, Mad, Sixty-Thirty, me, Harriet, Walter. You'll need to meet Wakely and Mason at some point, too. The whole family.”

This book was not at all what I expected it to be and I don't know how to feel about it. I loved Six-thirty and Walter. I liked the show and the relationship between Mad and the priest. I don't think I formed enough of a connection to Calvin to feel anything about his death. Elizabeth Zott was frustrating at times. I think it's weird that there was more about rowing in this book than chemistry... This book was marketed as funny, but with hard-hitting issues. I feel like there weren't any funny moments though. There were sad moments and rage inducing moments, but the humor wasn't there for me. The quirky aspects written in were more cringey than funny. So many bad things kept happening in succession and sprinkling a snarky neighbor or a genius daughter in isn't enough to bring that around. Elizabeth also was shut down for the whole book to the point of being a robot until she said something awkward or spieled about injustice. I feel like I'm still searching for the plot. Maybe if everything except Suppers at 6 was edited out I would have liked it better.
If we could all agree to stop writing unnecessarily descriptive SA scenes in books that are supposed to be “funny feminist reads”, that would be great.