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elpida_niki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
I loved how each character was written and evolved by the end of the book, it fell like i was falling in love when they were, feeling thrilled and anxious and petrified with them. I personally don't relate to her personality as even if i remain even a little bit grounded to reality deep inside I'm a total optimist with a big smile, but i believe we all have an Elisabeth inside us, and of course a scientist.
Luckily I'm currently studying for my university entrance exams and the school chemistry material is enough for me to understand what the book talks about (most of the time), and even though i found the genius of 6:30 a bit extreme, it didn't matter. Any flaw in this book isn't enough for me to even put a 4.75 review.
It even motivated me and think of my own future and thoughts, which i believe is the true and honest meaning of this half a kilo of a book.
To those who haven't started yet, if you didn't manage to catch the point this far, i wish you a pleasant reading (as pleasant as it can get)
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Cannibalism, and Religious bigotry
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Author: Bonnie Garmus
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: March 31, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Unexpected • Vibrant • Empowering
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans, the lonely, brilliant, Nobel Prize–nominated grudge holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.
Like science, though, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Eizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother but also the reluctant star of America's most beloved cooking show, Supper at Six. Elizabeth's unusual approach to cooking ("combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride") proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because, as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn't just teaching women how to cook. She's daring them to change the status quo.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I was instantly drawn to the cover of Lesson in Chemistry, yet without reading the synopsis the cover lead me to believe it would be something a lot lighter than it actually is. What this book is is an ode to women in STEM, an ode to single mothers, an ode to women in general, an invitation to challenge the status quo.
Elizabeth Zott is one of those characters that leapt off the page and really came to life. She is witty, independent, intelligent, and not afraid of ruffling a few feathers. I would love to be able to tune into her daily cooking show. From the start, I was drawn into her world and Bonnie Garmus' witty dialogue kept me going. Additionally, the cast of supporting characters was fantastic. Calvin Evans (the love interest), Mad (her daughter), and Six Thirty (her dog) are all fully flushed out and add so much to the story.
The plot is certainly dense, tackling a lot of important topics and at times it seemed a tad on the slow side, yet my interest never wavered. It just could have been 25-40 pages shorter. With that said, I loved how Elizabeth took control of her life, trailblazing her own path to success and love. It is a truly empowering story.
While I enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, I definitely think the hype affected my overall reading experience. I was anticipating something great, and what it delivered was simply good. It gave me The Maid vibes, which I really liked. I also enjoyed the themes and gaining insight into what life was like for women in STEM in the past. Given this was a debut, I will be eagerly watching news of what Bonnie Garmus is writing next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of The Maid
• women in STEM
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Imagine if all men took women seriously. Education would change. The workforce would revolutionize,. Marriage counselors would go out of business."
"'That's why I want to use Supper at Six to teach chemistry. Because when women understand chemistry, they begin to understand how things work.'
Roth looked confused.
'I'm referring to atoms and molecules, Roth.' she explained. 'The real rules that govern the physical world. When women understand these basic concepts, they can begin to see the false limits that have been created for them.'
'You mean by men.'
'I mean by artificial cultural and religious policies that put men in the highly unnatural role of single-sex leadership. Even a basic understand of chemistry reveals the danger of such a lopsided approach.'
'Well,' he said, realizing he'd never seen it that way before. 'I agree that society leave much to be desired, but when it come to religion, I tend to think it humbles us - teaches us our place in the world.'
'Really?' she said, surprised. 'I think it lets us off the hook. I think it teaches us that nothing is really our fault; that something or someone else is pulling the strings; that ultimately, we're not to blame for the way things are; that to improve things, we should pray. But the truth is, we are very much responsible for the badness in the world. And we have the power to fix it.'"
"Actually, a humanist. But I have to admit, some days the human race makes me sick."
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Violence, and Abortion
sibling deatheimmi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
amberinbookland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
helloits_jen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
trippalli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The first chapter, or near beginning had a harsh rape scene. If that triggers you I'd skip the beginning.. The bum gets better and better and while rape is a valid real concern this scene is so realistic and horrifying, that while she fights him off I would've rather skipped it. Keep reading though this book is amazing and full of wonderful people and their stories. Please read it, just skip the beginning if rape is triggering
A very good story, the warning flags are many but it's more in citing wrongs done and society and suicidal issues.. The family and community story overall is quite beautiful..a story of overcoming hardships and succeeding
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Vomit, and Stalking
A very good story, the warning flags are many but it's more in citing wrongs done and society and suicidal issues.. The family and community story overall is quite beautiful..a story of overcoming hardships and succeedingbaileyk123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Vomit, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
kellflo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Suicide, and Vomit
sunflowersarepretty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Elizabeth Zott is the epitome of a femenist, a woman, a scientist, a mother, and an icon. bThis book depicts how women are treated less in every sense of the word when it comes to so many situations. The book is fantastically written. The emotions this book has drawn from me... I truly reccomend this book, although, and again, do look at trigger warnings.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment