Scan barcode
A review by andrewspink
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The book was easy to read and I finished it in three days. It was fun and enjoyable. However, it did have serious shortcomings. It was more shallow than I had expected, with too little nuance and too simplistic characters. It perpetuates the myth of science making progress by the brilliant insight of a few geniuses, rather than the teamwork that actually delivers the results (and is indeed (still) often claimed by the principal investigator). The main character insisting on calling table salt sodium chloride and that sort of thing was probably meant to be amusing, but no chemist actually does that, and I didn't really find that sort of extreme stereotyping very amusing.
The central theme of the book was about the barriers which faced women scientists in the 50s and 60s. On the one hand, that was well done; stealing results or even publications was certainly commonplace, as well as sexual abuse and assault. When I was an undergraduate, a lecturer openly (in front of the whole class) told a student that if she wanted to be sure of a pass, then she should sleep with him (and he wasn't joking). That was much later than this book is set, in 1983. That also indicates a major problem with the book. Setting it so far in the past will enable readers to think that all those issues have been solved, but of course, that is not the case, even if it takes more subtle forms these days.
Nevertheless, despite its flaws, the book was an enjoyable read, and raises an important issue.
The central theme of the book was about the barriers which faced women scientists in the 50s and 60s. On the one hand, that was well done; stealing results or even publications was certainly commonplace, as well as sexual abuse and assault. When I was an undergraduate, a lecturer openly (in front of the whole class) told a student that if she wanted to be sure of a pass, then she should sleep with him (and he wasn't joking). That was much later than this book is set, in 1983. That also indicates a major problem with the book. Setting it so far in the past will enable readers to think that all those issues have been solved, but of course, that is not the case, even if it takes more subtle forms these days.
Nevertheless, despite its flaws, the book was an enjoyable read, and raises an important issue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Rape