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rony_07 's review for:
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus
Goodreads have to do something with half star rating cuz i need it
The book wasn't so good to rate it 4 stars but its not 3, looks bad.
So here it is 3.5⭐
The story follows Elizabeth Zott, a woman deeply passionate about science and chemistry, who views the world as a series of ever-changing chemical reactions. During her Ph.D. studies, she faces severe hardships, including physical assault and eventual expulsion "because she is a woman," stripping her of the ability to assert her discoveries. Eventually, she joins a research lab, where she steals equipment from the top researcher. Having developed a deep resentment toward men due to her past traumas, Elizabeth unexpectedly falls for Calvin—a man believed to hold grudges… or so everyone thinks.
I understand the author’s intent in highlighting the oppression women faced at the time, but the first half of the book felt fueled by personal resentment. Almost humorously, it seemed as if the author wanted to take a swing at every man in her path. While it’s true that women were subjected to physical and psychological oppression—expected only to clean, cook, and raise children—the book presents this as an absolute, which felt like an overgeneralization. After all, at some point in life, many women naturally desire domesticity.
Elizabeth Zott carried a strong sense of feminist pride, refusing to marry despite being madly in love, solely to preserve her identity and be recognized for herself rather than as someone’s wife.
Calvin, a man with a difficult past—an orphan yet not quite—shifted the focus to another marginalized group: children born out of wedlock, and orphans who were often exploited for fundraising without receiving real benefits.
The author repeatedly emphasized that Calvin and Elizabeth were soulmates, two halves of the same whole. However, I never truly felt their relationship reflected that. Their conflicts often played out through awkward situations rather than deep, meaningful struggles. I wanted to believe in their connection—I saw what the author was trying to convey—but I don’t think she fully succeeded, as this kind of relationship is incredibly difficult to portray convincingly.
That being said, the second half of the book was exceptional. Elizabeth’s character development was beautifully done—her journey in building a family with her daughter, Madeline, and navigating life as a single mother. She came to realize that no matter how much she valued independence, she would still need to let some people into her life. Her transition from a chemistry researcher to a TV cooking show host for housewives allowed her to leave her own mark, delivering the message: “Cooking is chemistry.” This phase of her life shaped her, giving her a voice to inspire women worldwide to pursue their dreams.
> “But I couldn’t. Can’t.” (be a heart surgeon)
“Why?”
“Because it’s hard.”
“And raising five boys isn’t?”
The addition of well-developed supporting characters was another highlight. Walter, the divorced father of a daughter who wasn’t biologically his, endured damaging rumors despite being one of the kindest men toward women—instinctively taking on the role of their protector. Harriet, the elderly woman who despised her narcissistic, controlling husband, perhaps saw in Elizabeth the woman she wished she had been. She embraced and cared for Madeline as if she were her own. And then there was Wakely, the young man who befriended the brilliant little girl, only to realize she was Calvin’s daughter—the same Calvin who had unknowingly shaped his life through nothing but words and letters.
The final section about religion was dreadful.
In the end, the first half of the book carried a raw, heavy darkness—one that gradually unraveled, allowing Elizabeth’s character to evolve, painting her life with new colors as she embraced motherhood and a changed perspective on life.
The book wasn't so good to rate it 4 stars but its not 3, looks bad.
So here it is 3.5⭐
The story follows Elizabeth Zott, a woman deeply passionate about science and chemistry, who views the world as a series of ever-changing chemical reactions. During her Ph.D. studies, she faces severe hardships, including physical assault and eventual expulsion "because she is a woman," stripping her of the ability to assert her discoveries. Eventually, she joins a research lab, where she steals equipment from the top researcher. Having developed a deep resentment toward men due to her past traumas, Elizabeth unexpectedly falls for Calvin—a man believed to hold grudges… or so everyone thinks.
I understand the author’s intent in highlighting the oppression women faced at the time, but the first half of the book felt fueled by personal resentment. Almost humorously, it seemed as if the author wanted to take a swing at every man in her path. While it’s true that women were subjected to physical and psychological oppression—expected only to clean, cook, and raise children—the book presents this as an absolute, which felt like an overgeneralization. After all, at some point in life, many women naturally desire domesticity.
Elizabeth Zott carried a strong sense of feminist pride, refusing to marry despite being madly in love, solely to preserve her identity and be recognized for herself rather than as someone’s wife.
Calvin, a man with a difficult past—an orphan yet not quite—shifted the focus to another marginalized group: children born out of wedlock, and orphans who were often exploited for fundraising without receiving real benefits.
The author repeatedly emphasized that Calvin and Elizabeth were soulmates, two halves of the same whole. However, I never truly felt their relationship reflected that. Their conflicts often played out through awkward situations rather than deep, meaningful struggles. I wanted to believe in their connection—I saw what the author was trying to convey—but I don’t think she fully succeeded, as this kind of relationship is incredibly difficult to portray convincingly.
That being said, the second half of the book was exceptional. Elizabeth’s character development was beautifully done—her journey in building a family with her daughter, Madeline, and navigating life as a single mother. She came to realize that no matter how much she valued independence, she would still need to let some people into her life. Her transition from a chemistry researcher to a TV cooking show host for housewives allowed her to leave her own mark, delivering the message: “Cooking is chemistry.” This phase of her life shaped her, giving her a voice to inspire women worldwide to pursue their dreams.
> “But I couldn’t. Can’t.” (be a heart surgeon)
“Why?”
“Because it’s hard.”
“And raising five boys isn’t?”
The addition of well-developed supporting characters was another highlight. Walter, the divorced father of a daughter who wasn’t biologically his, endured damaging rumors despite being one of the kindest men toward women—instinctively taking on the role of their protector. Harriet, the elderly woman who despised her narcissistic, controlling husband, perhaps saw in Elizabeth the woman she wished she had been. She embraced and cared for Madeline as if she were her own. And then there was Wakely, the young man who befriended the brilliant little girl, only to realize she was Calvin’s daughter—the same Calvin who had unknowingly shaped his life through nothing but words and letters.
The final section about religion was dreadful.
In the end, the first half of the book carried a raw, heavy darkness—one that gradually unraveled, allowing Elizabeth’s character to evolve, painting her life with new colors as she embraced motherhood and a changed perspective on life.