A review by tangerinegem
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

inspiring lighthearted tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Honestly it took me a long time to get through this one. I kept putting it down, reading entire other books, then coming back to it. But whenever I was in it, I was IN IT. 

The vibe in this book is like a sitcom set in the 1950’s-60’s, minus the docile housewife. Elizabeth Zott (a scientist/single mom/tv host) responds to all the misogyny of the time in way that is maybe aspirational, but not very realistic. Which honestly? Is fine. I think she’s meant to be a bit of a caricature. She’s a self-taught scientist who inadvertently ends up with a cooking show where she inspires American women to be who they want to be and not just who society says they should be. 
It’s fast paced… but somehow not? The story moves through events in her life pretty quickly, but I often found myself wondering where the story was going. There are two timelines that essentially show where she is now vs. how her early life experiences color her current life.
The writing had a dead pan wit and some comedy, but is also sprinkled with some pretty intense scenes. Definitely check trigger warnings. 
This book was worth reading, especially if you are a fan of Mad Men or the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It was very fun at times, but is not one of my favorites. 
I will say though, the dog is perfect. 
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