Questions About Lessons in Chemistry

by Bonnie Garmus (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (65)

Am I the only one who was furious about the pink chick-lit, rom-com cover on this book? It belittles the book in exactly the same way Elizabeth Zott is belittled!

Bonnie I have to agree--and I'm the author! All I can say is, the publisher did let me have input and I told them I thought it looked like chick-lit (nothing…moreI have to agree--and I'm the author! All I can say is, the publisher did let me have input and I told them I thought it looked like chick-lit (nothing against chick-lit but this book isn't that). Still, publishers have a lot of experience knowing what an audience will respond to and they thought this was the best way. They've been great to work with; we just didn't see eye-to-eye on this. You can google other covers from the other nations and see you if you think anyone else got a little closer--I think Germany and the UK both did a nice job. I have hopes that this cover will change for the paperback. (less)

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Would you classify this as a romance?

Bonnie Thanks for not classifying this as a romance, everyone! I wouldn't either. (Author here.) It is about love--but also the absence of love. It's really …moreThanks for not classifying this as a romance, everyone! I wouldn't either. (Author here.) It is about love--but also the absence of love. It's really a story of resilience, responsibility, and determination. (less)

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I loved this book but wonder: were thing really THIS bad back then...with the sexual assaults being so rampant and the constant belittling and abuse of women?

Margaret Shirley I thought that somehow Bonnie had heard my story about my first job out of University with a degree in biology circa 1963.

I worked in the lab of a ve…moreI thought that somehow Bonnie had heard my story about my first job out of University with a degree in biology circa 1963.

I worked in the lab of a very eminent scientist who was a hair's breadth from a Nobel. I was doing work on one of his minor hypotheses that had a protocol in which the penultimate step destroyed any chance of positive results, just like Elizabeth. I did not match her in getting raped, but I was fired the day after I pointed the problem out, with the statement that I would be happier elsewhere.

I was indeed happier elsewhere, as this drove me back initially to grad school where I got a PhD in Biochemistry, and later, med school with specialty training. I wrote the man not long ago thanking him for angering me into using my potential.(less)

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Why do you think that Elizabeth addressed the cooking show only to women? I was hoping that she would make the show for everyone.

Virginia My answer would be that in 1960 it would be a given that men would never watch a cooking show for any reason. Men wouldn't need to learn how to cook, …moreMy answer would be that in 1960 it would be a given that men would never watch a cooking show for any reason. Men wouldn't need to learn how to cook, that was just for women. Elizabeth would also assume that men would all be at work in the afternoon, not home watching TV. As well, I think she wanted to empower women, not men, through education in kitchen science.
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Why do Calvin & Elizabeth have to be "weirdos" with bizarre pasts & spectrum-like behavior in this story? Couldn't exceptionally smart (but more mainstream) scientists still change things?

Bonnie I don't think Calvin and Elizabeth are weird at all! A lot of people come from difficult pasts and have to find their own way in the world without hel…moreI don't think Calvin and Elizabeth are weird at all! A lot of people come from difficult pasts and have to find their own way in the world without help and support that so many of us take for granted. But the truth is, Elizabeth's character is based on the tenets of stoicism and as it turns out, autism and stoicism share important traits in common--including bravery and resilience. I have tremendous respect for people on the spectrum. Greta Thunberg has Asperger Syndrome and look how much she's accomplished!(less)

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