Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

 

Summary (from the publisher): Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.

Review: Elizabeth Zott is driven by her love of chemistry and desire to be independent. But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team of fellow chemists are not exactly all about equality. Except for Calvin Evans, the lab's all start - famous, brilliant, Noble-prize winning, lonely Calvin. They inevitably fall in love - chemistry. Despite their happiness, Elizabeth finds herself a single mother a few years later and finds herself forced to become the star of a hit cooking show in order to pay the bills. But the show is revolutionary because Elizabeth calmly challenges her viewers to change the status quo. 

I loved this book! Delightfully quirky (one of the main characters is the dog, Six-Thirty) and witty but also quite breathtaking. In one instance terribly funny, it has so many moments of sheer heartbreak. And so many moments of outrage at the sexism and inequality that Elizabeth encounters over and over! Elizabeth is beautiful and brilliant, and I loved her courage. But in some ways, I liked her neighbor and friend Harriet better, only because Elizabeth seems a bit emotionally stunted, with the great exception of her love for Calvin. 

Just a really, really lovely novel. Even the odd elements like the surprisingly verbal adept dog and fairy godmother-like figure that is revealed near the end! I had heard a lot of good things about this one and was surprised that it lived up to the hype for me. 

Stars: 4.5