Lessons in Chemistry

Lessons in Chemistry

  • Downloads:8089
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-04-10 10:51:41
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Bonnie Garmus
  • ISBN:0385697376
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

A delight for readers of Where'd You Go, Bernadette, this blockbuster debut set in 1960s California features the singular voice of Elizabeth Zott, a scientist whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show。


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 1960s and despite the fact that she is a scientist, her peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality。 The only good thing to happen to her on the road to professional fulfillment is a run-in with her super-star colleague Calvin Evans (well, she stole his beakers)。 The only man who ever treated her--and her ideas--as equal, Calvin is already a legend and Nobel nominee。 He's also awkward, kind and tenacious。 Theirs is true chemistry。

But as events are never as predictable as chemical reactions, three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother (did we mention it's the early 60s?) and the star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six。 Elizabeth's singular approach to cooking (take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride) and independent example are proving revolutionary。 Because Elizabeth isn't just teaching women how to cook, she's teaching them how to change the status quo。

Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters (including the best canine character in years), Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist。

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Reviews

Léonie

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus gripped me from the first sentence。 It is one of the most odd books I have ever read but it also found a way to speak to me on a higher level。

Shannon

4。5 stars。 We love a badass, feminist, and strongly independent character 👏🏻👏🏻Lessons in Chemistry was a great work of fiction and Elizabeth Zott was far ahead of her time and I loved her so much。 She strongly reminded me of Temperance Brennan from Bones。 She was smart, strong, caring, and fiercely independent and unique and I wish I could call her a friend。 I loved her journey and how she tried her best to not give two shits and tried her hardest to stand her ground and not change for anyone el 4。5 stars。 We love a badass, feminist, and strongly independent character 👏🏻👏🏻Lessons in Chemistry was a great work of fiction and Elizabeth Zott was far ahead of her time and I loved her so much。 She strongly reminded me of Temperance Brennan from Bones。 She was smart, strong, caring, and fiercely independent and unique and I wish I could call her a friend。 I loved her journey and how she tried her best to not give two shits and tried her hardest to stand her ground and not change for anyone else! I loved her relationship with Calvin and her daughter too。 There was love, heartbreak, anger, joy, and humor and this was such a well written book。 It was a great debut and many congrats to this author。 。。。more

Stacey

I just don't love characters who are written to be quirky, especially when they are strident。 I can't imagine a life where I was always trying to cram my square peg into a round hole-and I don't buy that someone so intelligent couldn't figure out a better way to get what they want from the world。 I just don't love characters who are written to be quirky, especially when they are strident。 I can't imagine a life where I was always trying to cram my square peg into a round hole-and I don't buy that someone so intelligent couldn't figure out a better way to get what they want from the world。 。。。more

Annestefia

I am on a hunt for a The Marvelous Mrs Maisel like books and this one, serendipitously, just got released。 I wouldn't say it's like TMMM, it does have the same focus on feminism, although this one present it in more serious tone。 There's the setting/era, yes, life and drama, check。 But other than that I think there's not much else。 I was a little disappointed and I know it's because of me, not this book。 But! I finished it in 2 days while working, so that's gotta mean something。 I am on a hunt for a The Marvelous Mrs Maisel like books and this one, serendipitously, just got released。 I wouldn't say it's like TMMM, it does have the same focus on feminism, although this one present it in more serious tone。 There's the setting/era, yes, life and drama, check。 But other than that I think there's not much else。 I was a little disappointed and I know it's because of me, not this book。 But! I finished it in 2 days while working, so that's gotta mean something。 。。。more

Anita Hayward

This is one of the best books I've read in awhile。 It really affected me。 I experienced every emotion。 I laughed out loud, cried, got angry, cheered, jeered, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride in reading this book! This is one of the best books I've read in awhile。 It really affected me。 I experienced every emotion。 I laughed out loud, cried, got angry, cheered, jeered, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride in reading this book! 。。。more

Sylvia Duckworth

I LOVED "Lessons in Chemistry"! Is it just me or does anyone else out there have a really hard time finding a good novel to read? I can't tell you how many novels I start and never finish because they are 1。 Boring 2。 Not well written 3。 Formulaic 4。 Predictable 5。 Depressing 。 。 。 Well, this book was none of those things and checked off everything on my list for a good read。 It was a great story, funny, insightful, validating, entertaining and heart-warming。 I especially enjoyed the way the boo I LOVED "Lessons in Chemistry"! Is it just me or does anyone else out there have a really hard time finding a good novel to read? I can't tell you how many novels I start and never finish because they are 1。 Boring 2。 Not well written 3。 Formulaic 4。 Predictable 5。 Depressing 。 。 。 Well, this book was none of those things and checked off everything on my list for a good read。 It was a great story, funny, insightful, validating, entertaining and heart-warming。 I especially enjoyed the way the book humanized Elizabeth's dog, Six-thirty。 Highly recommended。 Thank you Bonnie Garmus! 。。。more

J

Very cute and not at all what I expected。 And by cute I mean that it was funny and smart and yet also heart warming because it was about love and also of course about chemistry。

Sharon

A must read for any woman who has constantly been interrupted or ignored。

Donna

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusIn 1960s America, Elizabeth Zott is discriminated against continually as a female scientist。 She finds happiness with Calvin Evans, a very eminent scientist with a tragic past, but a series of events leads to Elizabeth living a very different life to the one she had hoped for。WOW, WOW, WOWWWW。。。。。 this book is AMAZING! It's immediately gone on to my best books ever list - fantastic story, wonderful characters。。。 prepare to fall in love with Elizabeth! Very hi Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusIn 1960s America, Elizabeth Zott is discriminated against continually as a female scientist。 She finds happiness with Calvin Evans, a very eminent scientist with a tragic past, but a series of events leads to Elizabeth living a very different life to the one she had hoped for。WOW, WOW, WOWWWW。。。。。 this book is AMAZING! It's immediately gone on to my best books ever list - fantastic story, wonderful characters。。。 prepare to fall in love with Elizabeth! Very highly recommended - READ IT NOW!Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book。 。。。more

Tanja

3,5 ⭐️

Sally Boocock

This novel is amazing。 Elizabeth Zott is a woman to be proud of Her story begins in the 1950s。 She is a scientist in a man's world and has to fight to survive。 The story has brilliant characters and also a dog who plays quite a big part。 It's a story of hope, strength and love and I certainly recommend it to everyone。 This novel is amazing。 Elizabeth Zott is a woman to be proud of Her story begins in the 1950s。 She is a scientist in a man's world and has to fight to survive。 The story has brilliant characters and also a dog who plays quite a big part。 It's a story of hope, strength and love and I certainly recommend it to everyone。 。。。more

Frida Dillenbeck

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 I laughed out loud all the way through this book。 My favorite character is Mad, the four year old brainiac, super sleuth who reads everything and Six Thirty the super smart canine that has learned English。 His voice and story were delightful。 Loved every word!! Tremendous! What a unexpected treat to read!The full circle of Elizabeth being all alone to accidentally finding the love of her life, discovering she is pregnant with an unwanted baby, falling in love with her child who brightens the day I laughed out loud all the way through this book。 My favorite character is Mad, the four year old brainiac, super sleuth who reads everything and Six Thirty the super smart canine that has learned English。 His voice and story were delightful。 Loved every word!! Tremendous! What a unexpected treat to read!The full circle of Elizabeth being all alone to accidentally finding the love of her life, discovering she is pregnant with an unwanted baby, falling in love with her child who brightens the days of close ties, Mad builds her family tree from people who are gone as well as people who stick。 By book’s end, Elizabeth’s family is much bigger than she ever thought possible。 I am a practicing Christian and found the discussions about faith well written。 Wakely’s character broke my heart as he forced himself into a position of minister out of a misguided need to please his family。 He states more than once that he is not a good minister and really does not embrace the counseling sessions in which he tries to help his parishioners。 How can he be good at helping others when he does not want to nor like too counsel others。 His struggle in not believing in God really broke my heart as his character represents so many real life ministers。 This book was so wonderful, so funny, real and really presented how women were treated in the 50’s and 60’s。 Male supervisors could literally fo anything they wanted to female employees without any repercussions。 Shocking but so real。 Thankfully we have come along way since then! 。。。more

Evie

Ya ya ya!!!! Best book I’ve read this year so far! Review to come! But seriously, WOW!! This is a debut? Hell to the freaking no way!

Andrea

Two 5 Star books in a row??!I’m not sure this has ever happened to me。 But this book SHINES & is completely delightful。 I devoured it。

Molly Snyder

A little louder for the people in the back! I love how this book described the hypocrisy and misogyny women faced and still face today。 I loved how strong and logical the main character remained even in the face of such unfairness in her life。 Absolutely recommend this book!

Melodi

This is a book I didn’t know that I would love!I absolutely adore Elizabeth Zott, a strong, smart, scientist and the main character in this book。 California, early 1960’s, Elizabeth is working as a Chemist at a research institute。 She is constantly undermined, treated poorly and not recognized for her skills and intelligence。 As time goes on she ends up being a tv host for a cooking show at 4:30 and just blossoms! She empowers the women watchers with all the little scientific facts about cooking This is a book I didn’t know that I would love!I absolutely adore Elizabeth Zott, a strong, smart, scientist and the main character in this book。 California, early 1960’s, Elizabeth is working as a Chemist at a research institute。 She is constantly undermined, treated poorly and not recognized for her skills and intelligence。 As time goes on she ends up being a tv host for a cooking show at 4:30 and just blossoms! She empowers the women watchers with all the little scientific facts about cooking and baking and why doing it a certain way or temperature you get the best results。 Women watchers love the learning and being treated like they are smart!The story builds Elizabeth Zotts life with it’s past events that have gotten her to where she is。 We meet the fall in love with the people close to her in her life, even the dog named six-thirty, who narrates at times!This book is intelligent, heartwarming, motivating, emotional, empowering, and gives hope。 To all the powerful women out there in the world today, so grateful for you and your voices!4。5 starsThank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the advance e-copy of this book in return for my honest review。 。。。more

Katie

This will be in my top 10 of 2022!!! Elizabeth Zott is perfect。 I love, love, loved this story。

wickedreads Ashley

I have no words。 It’s a story that will sit with you for agesSo beyond good。 I laughed。 I cried。 I loved。 I lost。 I want the cooking show to be real and I want to watch it everyday。

Jennifer Mullins

Set in a time where women are considered the weaker sex and are supposed to be homemakers, Elizabeth Zott pushes back against all these expectations。 Elizabeth is a chemist who is up against a myriad of issues in a make-dominated workplace and society。 As a woman in academics, she’s looked down on and not taken seriously; her co-workers steal her work and, even fellow women believe she’s riding the coattails of her brilliant lover, Calvin Evans。Unexpectedly alone and pregnant, Elizabeth has to m Set in a time where women are considered the weaker sex and are supposed to be homemakers, Elizabeth Zott pushes back against all these expectations。 Elizabeth is a chemist who is up against a myriad of issues in a make-dominated workplace and society。 As a woman in academics, she’s looked down on and not taken seriously; her co-workers steal her work and, even fellow women believe she’s riding the coattails of her brilliant lover, Calvin Evans。Unexpectedly alone and pregnant, Elizabeth has to make some tough choices while still holding on to who she is。 Elizabeth is a brilliant, quirky, and fierce feminist。 I loved how she bucked the system and never backed down from her fight against the patriarch。 While the story is set in the late 50’s/early 60’s, there are still parallels between women, particularly those in STEM, from then to now。 It’s a whip-smart account of how strong women can be and what can happen when pushed too far。Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy! 。。。more

Siri

Cheesy, feel-good book。 Would make for a great lifetime movie。 Not much else to it imo。

Margaret McCulloch-Keeble

This is a hugely entertaining story。 It is not entirely believable, in fact it does stretch credibility to breaking point but I don't care。 I was rooting for Elizabeth et al all the way through。 My favourite character, without doubt, was the very well read Six Thirty。 This is a hugely entertaining story。 It is not entirely believable, in fact it does stretch credibility to breaking point but I don't care。 I was rooting for Elizabeth et al all the way through。 My favourite character, without doubt, was the very well read Six Thirty。 。。。more

Sarah Deery

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH

Danielle

"𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯, 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦。 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧。"When my friend Liz raves about a book, I know I'm in for a treat and 𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬, the story of a chemist who becomes a reluctant star as the host of a cooking show, was everything she said it was and more。"𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬。。。 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮。"There are so many things about this book that shouldn't work。 It's fill "𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯, 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦。 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧。"When my friend Liz raves about a book, I know I'm in for a treat and 𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬, the story of a chemist who becomes a reluctant star as the host of a cooking show, was everything she said it was and more。"𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬。。。 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮。"There are so many things about this book that shouldn't work。 It's filled with extremely quirky characters。 The timeline bounces around in unusual ways。 The POV shifts from one person to another to a dog and back。 Oh, and there's a lot of science talk。 But Bonnie Garmus's writing is just so sublime that it all comes together in an unexpectedly entertaining, charming and moving way。"𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴。 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘲𝘶𝘰。"I have no doubt this will be one of my top 10 books this year。 And as an aspiring novelist myself, I find the author as inspiring as her trailblazing heroine - she published this debut at 65 and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!Thanks to Doubleday books and NetGalley for a copy to review。 。。。more

Bonnie C。 Wilson

I never write reviews but loved this book - a prescription for every young woman on how to persevere and love on one’s own terms。

Julia Sarene

There's some bits I really loved about this book, so I wish I could have given it 5 stars。 But sadly it also had other bits that really annoyed me, so overall I ended up "just" liking it。What I really loved was the light shed on the struggles of women, not just in predominantly male fields, but everywhere。 I also liked the very down to earth personality of the main character。 She is different than the norm, and I really enjoyed that。The chemistry bits I mostly felt neutral on。 I didn't mind them There's some bits I really loved about this book, so I wish I could have given it 5 stars。 But sadly it also had other bits that really annoyed me, so overall I ended up "just" liking it。What I really loved was the light shed on the struggles of women, not just in predominantly male fields, but everywhere。 I also liked the very down to earth personality of the main character。 She is different than the norm, and I really enjoyed that。The chemistry bits I mostly felt neutral on。 I didn't mind them, but they also didn't add much for me, like other books that combine science and fiction (and women's rights) did。 I would have enjoyed more actual science instead of mostly just "using chemical names for food"。 Like the math and physics in Hidden Figures, The Calculating Stars or in Three Body Problem。 Some of the plot just felt。。。 Shallow? Things resolved too easily, or were fast forwarded to keep the pace up。Not as in no bad things happen, they do。 Horrible things happen that I hated - but then it just moved on and it seems it didn't matter all that much?Combined with a really easy and at times almost fluffy prose, it just felt too easy and light for what I was expecting and hoping for。 I'm not usually one to call for a more "literary" style, and prefer entertainment in my books。 But here a bit more might have made it better。And then there's an absolute pet peeve of mine。 There's a dog in the story, and while I absolutely adore dogs and therefore love having them in books, he was not written like a dog。More like a human with fur。 And I *can't stand anthropomorphized animals* especially in a book that is about science! A dog is a dog, and while they definitely can learn a lot of words and are incredibly intelligent (just look at assistant dogs and their specialised skills!) they will not think and act like a human。 That alone had me grind my teeth every so often。 。。。more

Alison Cairns

An unusual read and an unlikely heroine。 Elizabeth Zott is a female scientist in 1950s/60s America。 Everything is a struggle - especially to be taken seriously。 When she meets well respected scientist Calvin Evans in the lab and they fall in love, life is no less controversial and unconventional。 Unexpectedly finding herself a single mother changes Elizabeth's life。 Some of the humour in the book, such as converting the kitchen, is sad too, as she shouldn't have to give up her work, or deny who An unusual read and an unlikely heroine。 Elizabeth Zott is a female scientist in 1950s/60s America。 Everything is a struggle - especially to be taken seriously。 When she meets well respected scientist Calvin Evans in the lab and they fall in love, life is no less controversial and unconventional。 Unexpectedly finding herself a single mother changes Elizabeth's life。 Some of the humour in the book, such as converting the kitchen, is sad too, as she shouldn't have to give up her work, or deny who she is, because of her sex。 She finds support in unexpected places, and the wonderful SixThirty is such a character。 When Elizabeth combines chemistry with cooking and educates the nation she becomes a much loved character。 But she recognises this can't be her life。 With a wonderful cast of backing characters including her daughter, Mad, (the story of her name is priceless), neighbour Harriet, Walter Pine, Rev Wakely, Miss Frask and Dr Mason, the story of Elizabeth Zott is a wonderful one。 #netgalley #lessonsinchemistry 。。。more

Dea

Ich liebe dieses Buch, ich liebe diesen Hauptcharakter, ihren Hund, ihre Tochter und qie unabsichtlich lustig sie manchmal ist。 Ich liebe es wie Frauen hier gezeigt werden und wünschte ich hätte diese Sendung gucken können。 Emotional und einfach fesselnd 。 Unbedingt lesen

Penelope Welbourn-English

Women in scienceI went to college in the ‘60s。 There was still problems with a female being in science classes。 It would have been difficult to get a ‘science’ job。 I got my teaching degree so it was ok to teach but not actually do science。 This book brought back many memories。 It is a wonderful read of love, support and chemistry。 Highly recommend reading this book。

Melissa Johns

SO GOOD!!!!!!! ❤️

Robin

Words fail me as I can’t even say how much I loved this book。 Every reader has a book that hits them at the right time and this one did it for me。