Regina's Reviews > Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry
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Anything less than a 5-star review for Bonnie Garmus’s debut novel is a minority opinion, so take my 4-star thoughts with a grain of salt. Or as the book’s heroine Elizabeth Zott would say, a grain of sodium chloride.
Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of a brilliant scientific mind in the 1960s. Only problem is that the mind is in the body of the woman. Not just any woman, but an atypical one who has no interest in marriage or the other traditional trappings of domestic life. Still, one thing leads to another, and she finds herself with a daughter living in the suburbs. Because of the gender roles of that era, her passions and talents for chemistry are going to waste until she ends up with a nightly television show teaching other women how to cook. “Suppers at Six” finally gives home-bound, invisible moms a platform to ask questions, dream big, and prioritize themselves. It also puts items like “acetic acid” on their shopping lists. (That’s vinegar for all you non-sciency types like me.)
I enjoyed my time with Elizabeth Zott and look forward to whatever Bonnie Garmus writes next. My slight hesitation in fully recommending Lessons in Chemistry is that it deals with some very serious themes. One major scene and plot point deals with sexual assault, and I just wish it hadn’t gone allllllll the way there. I think when picking up a book like this I’m looking to escape darker reads that include violence against women. Alas, rape, lather, rinse, repeat. Sigh.
The novel’s manuscript was snatched up in a bidding war for adaptation rights by Apple TV+ pre-publication, so actress Brie Larson is already cast to play Elizabeth Zott. If the series is faithful to the novel, it’ll end up feeling like a #metoo-era feminist woman took a time machine back to the 1960s. I’ll definitely be tuning in when it debuts, but personally I hope it softens the novel’s sharp edges a bit.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com
Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of a brilliant scientific mind in the 1960s. Only problem is that the mind is in the body of the woman. Not just any woman, but an atypical one who has no interest in marriage or the other traditional trappings of domestic life. Still, one thing leads to another, and she finds herself with a daughter living in the suburbs. Because of the gender roles of that era, her passions and talents for chemistry are going to waste until she ends up with a nightly television show teaching other women how to cook. “Suppers at Six” finally gives home-bound, invisible moms a platform to ask questions, dream big, and prioritize themselves. It also puts items like “acetic acid” on their shopping lists. (That’s vinegar for all you non-sciency types like me.)
I enjoyed my time with Elizabeth Zott and look forward to whatever Bonnie Garmus writes next. My slight hesitation in fully recommending Lessons in Chemistry is that it deals with some very serious themes. One major scene and plot point deals with sexual assault, and I just wish it hadn’t gone allllllll the way there. I think when picking up a book like this I’m looking to escape darker reads that include violence against women. Alas, rape, lather, rinse, repeat. Sigh.
The novel’s manuscript was snatched up in a bidding war for adaptation rights by Apple TV+ pre-publication, so actress Brie Larson is already cast to play Elizabeth Zott. If the series is faithful to the novel, it’ll end up feeling like a #metoo-era feminist woman took a time machine back to the 1960s. I’ll definitely be tuning in when it debuts, but personally I hope it softens the novel’s sharp edges a bit.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com
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Reading Progress
April 16, 2022
–
Started Reading
April 16, 2022
– Shelved
April 26, 2022
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 79 (79 new)
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Gail
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 21, 2022 07:09AM
![Gail](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1707314846p1/93751.jpg)
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![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
I finished it several days ago but am just soooo behind on writing reviews these days!
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thanks Jayme! Gonna have to reactive my Apple TV sub when it debuts! ;)
![tonya_with_an_o](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1683053488p1/9385539.jpg)
![Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1593452022p1/35362731.jpg)
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thank you, Tonya. I debated hiding it as a spoiler, but it happens pretty early on in the book and is a major focal point for the story that follows.
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Good plan, Tamar!
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thanks! Unsavory is a pretty good term for it. :(
![Colleen Scidmore](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1509565133p1/2441461.jpg)
I am not one of those readers and will still be reading LiC. But I still appreciate the warning. 😁
Apple TV+ makes some good shows so I’m excited!
![Michelle](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1720451053p1/53328737.jpg)
![Kat](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1720224311p1/105191338.jpg)
![Holly B (slower pace!)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1532909601p1/39749481.jpg)
![Terrie Robinson (short break)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1674859820p1/104791668.jpg)
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thanks Colleen, glad you found this helpful. I was definitely blindsided by it!
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Mmmmmmhmmmmm. :(
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thanks Kat! I'm definitely curious to see what she does with the role.
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Hmm, can't say I LOL'd during this, but either way library loans are always a solid way to go. xo
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thanks Tina, hope you enjoy it if you do pick it up!
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thank you, Terrie. I think we all react to unfortunate events differently, so no worries at all. As you know, I'm just trying to find a little levity in books these days. More kindness, less men are all abusers.
![Melissa ~ Bantering Books](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1669137927p1/33853154.jpg)
![CoachJim](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1692619605p1/53002487.jpg)
I like the heroine however, so I will probably watch the show.
![JanB](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1527313486p1/260116.jpg)
I'm glad you enjoyed this more than I did Regina!
![NZLisaM](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1715039892p1/79324789.jpg)
![len ❀ is a little inactive :(](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1721527923p1/51318038.jpg)
![Ellie Spencer (catching up from hiatus)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1564012486p1/93944772.jpg)
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thanks Ceecee! I'm not sure I see her as Zott, but hopefully she'll pull it off.
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thank you, Melissa. I almost bailed after the scene in question, but I'm glad I stuck with it.
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
That's good to hear. I was starting to feel all alone!
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
I hope you think so! It's certainly an "it" book of the moment.
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
I like the heroine however, so I will probably watch the show."
Much appreciated, Jim. I do enjoy fiction from this era, so hopefully it ends up being a quality show.
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
I'm glad you enjoyed this more than I did Regina!"
Thanks Jan. I know I didn't make it quite as far out to Outlier Island as you did. ;)
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thanks Lisa! We'll see how the trailer looks. ;)
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment, Elena. I understand that the author wanted to portrait the sexism of the era and academia, but I'm with you in not entirely understanding why it had to go as far as it did.
![Regina](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images.gr-assets.com/users/1641049532p1/34183387.jpg)
I hope you enjoy it, Ellie!