Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Lessons in Chemistry

Sometimes I wanted to throw the book as the sexism of the not so distant past was beyond hard to read. In reality I couldn’t put the book down. All the major characters were delightful, and I love Elizabeth!

Content Warnings

mtnest's review

Go to review page

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring fast-paced

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

it's like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo but even better imo. i fell in love with Elizabeth Zott, whose experiences are painful to read and made me want to scream with indignation. in fact, (almost*) the whole cast was lovable—not just "able to be loved", but rather, "no choice but to love". an engaging, many-threaded story full of heart that weaved into one for a rock-solid ending (for which i'm a sucker).

*except, to be honest, Walter Pine. i don't see how he was much better than the villainous men before him (Donatti and Lebensmal); maybe he was "just following orders", but as if that makes up for it. he's a devoted father, but what kind of daughter's role model is complicit in the mistreatment of women under his own purview? but of course he's ultimately

rewarded with a promotion—which i don't fault the writing for, it's prob the most realistic course of events unfortunately—but less believably, becomes bffs with Elizabeth at the drop of a hat

?? he may recognize the err of his ways, but did he follow that up with any significant changes, e.g. use his newfound power to uplift those he previously kept down? not that we know of. maybe i hold a grudge like Calvin but i don't really see how Walter redeemed himself.

Content Warnings

thebookpaiges's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional inspiring slow-paced

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? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

crdostaler's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

lindseybarnett's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

kelly_e's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

Title: Lessons in Chemistry
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."

Content Warnings

More...