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lifewithjoce's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Suicide, and Rape
Moderate: Vomit, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism
satsumaorange's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
This book was fantastic, compelling, and simultaneously infuriating. Every other page, I felt myself coming to Elizabeth's defense on every side. It angered me so deeply the way she was treated, that I started bookmarking every time someone said or did something genuinely kind to her. Total number: 20. If you are sensitive to sexism, I'd advise you to brace yourself.
HOWEVER.
Elizabeth was a compelling character to me, and I kept reading just to watch her shine as herself despite her hardships. Some people may have issues with her pragmatic, blunt, and very literal personality, but I actually really enjoy characters like Elizabeth! I choose to interpret her mannerisms as indicative of autism, which made her relatable and endearing to me.
If you have been turned away by the cover, I do encourage you to try Lessons in Chemistry. It's a wonderful story of empowering women, overcoming enormous adversity, and finding the true meaning of family.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Classism, Grief, Car accident, and Gaslighting
Minor: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Child death, Outing, Death of parent, Vomit, Drug use, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts
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: Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Death, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Car accident, Homophobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Vomit, Death of parent, and Fatphobia
Minor: Pedophilia, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Violence, Abortion, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Mental illness
sibling deatheimmi's review
- 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: Death of parent, Sexism, Car accident, Grief, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Rape, and Fatphobia
pini27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
corriejn's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Rape, Suicide, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts
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: Death of parent, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Homophobia, Infidelity, Gaslighting, and Eating disorder
Minor: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Stalking, and Drug use
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 succeedingejs2000'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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abandonment, Death, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Medical trauma, and Miscarriage
sprud's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexism, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship