By Robyn Rossit
Content warning: sexual assault, sexism, death
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was definitely a book I’ve been looking forward to reading. Set in the early 1960s, it is a window into what it was like for women during that time. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist at Hastings Research Institute, working on an otherwise all-male team. Struggling with equality, she meets Calvin Evans, a brilliant fellow chemist, who, unlike his colleagues, values the work that Elizabeth does and falls in love with her brilliance. However, life throws Elizabeth some curveballs and years later she finds herself a single mother, struggling to make ends meet. Elizabeth finds herself hosting a cooking show, which is popular despite her scientific approach to cooking. She becomes popular among her viewers because not only is she teaching them to cook, but she is also inspiring them to follow their dreams and change the status quo.
I flew through Lessons in Chemistry in only a few sittings because I was absolutely hooked. Elizabeth Zott is such a fearless, strong, and inspiring main character. While she struggles to be seen as a chemist, she refuses to let how others see her hold her back. Even when she is working as a television host, she maintains her identity as a chemist.
Inequality is a central theme to Lessons in Chemistry. The limitations put on Elizabeth, simply because she is a woman, are uncomfortable but authentic. She experiences sexism, as well as sexual harassment, simply for daring to step outside of the box that society put her in. I think the most outrageous part of Elizabeth’s story is that the patronizing way that women were treated was very much true for the time. However, seeing the impact Elizabeth has on other women was truly inspiring. While it is a fictional story, I can only imagine how many women like Elizabeth Zotts there were in the 1960s paving the way for women today, demanding more.
Lessons in Chemistry has some incredible and heartwarming side characters. They were quirky, lovable, and best of all, could easily stand on their own. Most importantly though, Elizabeth’s dog, Six Thirty, is by far my favourite dog in literature. He is just as well developed as the humans in the story. I won’t say more because I really feel like the reader needs to meet the cast of characters for themselves.
I felt such a range of emotions while reading Lessons in Chemistry, from outrage to laughter to pure joy. I would strongly recommend adding it to your summer reading list! I also recently found out it will be adapted as a limited series (if you needed another reason to read Lessons in Chemistry!).
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.