A review by ashbydodd
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

5.0

With all of the excitement around the novel, I was expecting to be underwhelmed, but I ended up loving "Lessons in Chemistry" from beginning to end. The story takes place in the 1960s, but it feels just as relevant today. Women are still marginalized and sexualized in the workplace, especially in specific industries, and are frequently passed over in favor of their male counterparts, who may be less intelligent or unsuitable for the role. This is the case with Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scientist who discovers she is no longer accepted in her male-dominated company. As a result, she stumbles into a new career in television,  where she discovers she can reach more women in a single afternoon than she could in the laboratory.

"Lessons in Chemistry" is the story of a self-assured woman who knows her worth and refuses to accept anything less, despite the rising challenges in her way. I adored Elizabeth Zott and her strength of character, and I excitedly turned page after page to find out what happened to her next. Bonnie Garmus' writing was captivating, and I can only hope to read more of her work in the future. For me, this was an easy five-star rating.