Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Edition reviewed: Audiobook, Unabridged
Published April 5th 2022 by Random House Audio
“As humans, we’re by-products of our upbringings, victims of our lackluster educational systems, and choosers of our behaviors. In short, the reduction of women to something less than men, and the elevation of men to something more than women, is not biological: it’s cultural. And it starts with two words: pink and blue. Everything skyrockets out of control from there.”
This is just a sample of the brilliant observations that effortlessly spill out of Elizabeth Zott, the main character in Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This debut novel, set in the 1960s, is a smart, witty, achingly true snapshot in time. A time when women were afforded few opportunities and ample judgment on their character, especially if the role they seek to occupy is ambitious and intelligent. Zott is both these things and works as a chemist in Hasting Laboratories in Southern California. She faces much hardship and discrimination as a woman scientist and her position is eased somewhat when she starts a relationship with the lab’s Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Calvin Evans.
However when Elizabeth is faced with the challenge of being a single mother and supporting her daughter, Mad, and their amazing dog, Six-Thirty, she takes on a role far outside her area of expertise: a host of a cooking show on public television. While it may seem a recipe for disaster, Elizabeth brings her quirky but irresistible presence to the screen and soon has housewives all over the nation clamoring to watch and emulate Supper at Six.
I listened to the audiobook version flawlessly narrated by Miranda Raison and I laughed, teared up, and felt righteous rage for what my mother’s generation called life as usual. This character-driven delight is sure to be an instant classic and definitely my choice for Goodread’s Best Debut Fiction.
I’ll close with Elizabeth’s classic tagline from the show… “Kids, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself.”
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This book sounds so good. I was thinking back to my mum and just how limited her life opportunities had been plus just how much my Dad had played out his head of the household role. No housework, not much childcare for him.