Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel

I had decided to read it in order to check off one of the things I needed to complete the Kindle Quarterly Challenge. But to my surprise it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read this year! Not only is it well written, it is funny and endearing, and frustratingly true regarding how women are treated not just in the 50s and 60s but even in today’s workplace. The fight for recognition and respect for a woman’s place in any career field is on-going. It is a constant battle, but as we women know, there is no “give up” when it comes to our struggle and the struggle for our daughters and granddaughters. Thank you Bonnie Garmus, for giving us these wonderful lessons in Chemistry!

I never write reviews, but this is one of the best books that I’ve ever read. The first half of the book was difficult to get through. I almost gave up on it several times. The second half is when it comes to life. This woman had to fight for her rights living in the 60s. We are still fighting for our rights in the year 2025. I was going through a very difficult situation with the president of my HOA condominium. Elizabeth Zott gave me the strength to go on and not let this get me down. This is a wonderful book. I am in tears writing this review. If you can get through the first half you will be greatly rewarded.

Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant Chemist in the late 50’s/early 60’s when a woman’s “place” was in the kitchen. Her innovative ideas and contributions are continually dismissed by the pompous men in her field. She eventually agrees to host a cooking show in order to financially support her daughter and herself. After all, cooking is chemistry.Elizabeth is ferociously strong and resilient. Her independence and determination make her a wonderful role model for young women. Garmus paints a humorous, colorful story of the oppression women dealt with and how tenacity and perseverance can overcome most challenges.I was invested in Elizabeth’s character from the beginning, but when she rescued Six Thirty, I was done for. Her conversations with this amazing canine are some of the best moments in the story. I love the interactions between Elizabeth, Six Thirty and her daughter, Mads. I rated this 4.5, simply because it felt rushed at the end. However, it was an excellent read that I can highly recommend.

I never write reviews, even though I should, but I had to write this one. It started a while back, when my husband checked the audiobook out of the library. He raved over it. He kept telling me how much Elizabeth reminded him of me. Coincidentally, I have a degree in chemistry, I row on a Concept2 rower (the modern version of the "erg" mentioned in the book), and my middle name is Elizabeth. Go figure. Every time he's insisted that I read a book, it's turned out well, so I got on the waiting list for the ebook.We watched the series, and I enjoyed it, but my husband told me that the book was so much better. Aren't they usually? Finally, on New Year's Eve, I got the notice that it was available and started to read. I just finished, and it moved me so profoundly that I had to review it. I laughed, I cried, but most of all, I identified with Elizabeth, and with Mad, who reminds me of myself as a child. I adore Six Thirty, who may be the best character I've ever read. Have I mentioned I also love dogs? As I write this, our 11 year old Black Mouthed Cur, Probie, is lying near my feet, waiting for his dinner.Even though I got a bachelor's degree with a double major in chemistry and biology, I didn't really use it, except for the fact, as Elizabeth says, chemistry is life. Learning chemistry molded my mind. One of my best mind molding professors was Dr. Magdalena Wojciechowska, from then communist Poland. I remember getting a perfect score on a literature exam and having the professor ask if I was an English major. I told him that I was a chemistry major, and he said that he loved chemistry majors. They actually read the question and answered it, even if the answer was short. He said that English majors pick the first word they recognize and write everything they know about it.I didn't use my chemistry degree as intended, but I went on to be a licensed reactor operator, then a licensed senior reactor operator at a nuclear plant, which is still a man's world to this day. I stood on the shoulders of the people like Elizabeth Zott. Reading this book reminded my of how far we've come, even if there's still a long way to go (and we seem to be going backwards at the moment). I absolutely loved this book. I borrowed it from the library, but I may have to buy a copy, just to keep it close, reread it, and share a bunch of quotes with my friends.

I enjoyed the authenticity of the setting. I was a biology major in college and spent many hours in the lab. In addition, I loved Six thirty and how Elizabeth kept working on his vocabulary.I think this would be a good read for intelligent young girls and women. It would encourage them to continue to set goals and strive to be all they can be. I have a nineteen year old granddaughter doing just that!