Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel

Thank you so much to Double Day Canada and Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary digital review copy of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. I love this book so much I had to pick up a copy to go on my forever shelves.Elizabeth Zott is one of few female chemists at her workplace, Hastings Research Institute, in the 1960's. She is constantly proving herself to others who work there though not getting enough of the credit she deserves.I absolutely adored this book. I had a lot of trouble putting it down when I needed to go do other stuff.This book is marketed as a romance, and though we do see a bit of a relationship in its pages, I didn't see it as the focus. Elizabeth and Calvin's love is clear, though maybe not conventional. But, my favourite parts of this book centered around Elizabeth learning about herself, Mad and Six-Thirty.I laughed out loud in so many places, and loved the development of the characters and the plot. Reading sections in Six-Thirty's perspective was hilarious and perfectly balanced some of Elizabeth's point of view.As a woman in STEM I am always here to read about more women in STEM, and this book did not disappoint.

3.5 STARS - Lessons in Chemistry is a bookstagram favourite, so I bought it knowing only that it had many five star ratings and a story that focused on a female chemist who has a unique TV cooking show.It's touted as 'shrewdly observant' (check) and 'laugh out loud funny' ... ummm, nope. I didn't find this book funny in the slightest. It tackles important issues and has an interesting, albeit overly exaggerated, cast of characters. Its main character is Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant and intense, but socially naïve scientist whose beliefs in women's rights were well ahead of her time. To me, she came off as robotic in her demeanor and her reactions to events. Her daughter Madeline is also brilliant and precocious, but I couldn't suspend disbelief enough to believe that a four-year-old could speak and behave like someone at least a decade older. Six Thirty, the canine companion, stole the show with his observances of the odd assortment of humans he interacts with, but menfolk generally don't fare well in this story.What stood out for me were the issues that Garmus addresses in this book and while some religious folks may take umbrage with how the Church is portrayed, I had no such qualms and think that the topics raised will give readers much to discuss. What did surprise me was that the cooking show element, which I thought was the basis of the book, wasn't used much within the story.This wasn't the extraordinary read I had expected based on its MANY high ratings. I loved the bond between Elizabeth and Calvin and appreciated the focus on themes of misogyny, feminism, trauma at the hands of the church, grief etc., and while I wanted to love it, it didn't quite live up to its hype. In the end, it's a decent read that took me over two weeks to read and one that I wish I had borrowed from the library instead of buying it.

Never read such an exciting Book for years. You her furiuos when Reading about Elizbeth‘s Situation. I was war in the 50s, I‘ve live it. Such a strong Woman. And a little cry in the end.You cannot pur it asideAnd there it is : you plunge into a deep hole in the end and know whatever book you will touch Next, won‘t catch up with it

This book is a 5 star for quality of writing, but a 2 star for the exaggerated story and some random plots. To be clear, I loved the story, the way it places women front and center and the protagonist going through her struggles and the women in the plot. The writing is top class - the humour, the words and some concepts and makes you want you to continue reading. The combination of chemistry and rowing and what not makes it a page turner. What did not sit well with me was part of the plot were ludicrous and over the top. Slightly torn between 3 and 4 starts, settled for 3.

This is right up there with some of the best books I have ever read. It is extremely well written and I would say an important read for women. There are many lessons in this book and everyone articulated in an extremely understandable manner. It is very funny. I often found myself laughing out loud while reading.I should also say it is not what I normally would choose. I have just moved to a new city and joined a book club. It was their book of the month so it was especially enlightening in a new way for me.You won't be disappointed. It may end up being my Christmas Gift to my friends this year.