Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – Book Review
Book – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Pages – 386 pages, Paperback
Genre – Historical Fiction, Feminism
Publisher – Penguin Random House
Rating – 4.5/5 stars
About the Book
Is today’s society still treacherous and misogynistic? Yes. Maybe today’s scenario is a little better than that of the 1950-60s, a time from when this novel is set in.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus tells the story of Elizabeth Zott. A woman with such grit and determination! She fights for her place in the room, and above all, is not afraid to ask questions or question authorities.
Set in the 1960s, Zott becomes a famous cooking show host (an unusual one though) in Southern California after being fired as a chemist four years earlier. Why is she fired? There are many reasons, one of them which remains the base constant is that she is a woman.
Book Review
Bonnie Garmus wrote Lessons in Chemistry after having a rough day at work. She’d been in a meeting and had endured some standard sexism, she said replying to one comment on Goodreads.
Lessons in Chemistry presses on one major issue – gender stereotypes, discrimination, being looked down upon. And slides in to voice the challenging societal expectations and what happens to women who voice their thoughts and opinions.
The entire story is so smartly written in 400-pages. This is how you write a book! The characters are the heart of the story. You will fall in love with them. You will cry and feel angry when someone wrongs them. You will be invested in their lives.
Apart from talking about Women in Science, the book also holds some pretty important conversations about love, individualism, beliefs, faith and family.
It takes courage to write a book like this. Because after all, even though there will be many who would want to voice the same issues voiced in this book, there also will be other sides of the coin. There will be (are) people who would come back saying “one more woman playing her woman card”, “one more book on feminism”, “one more book showing how men are thrash”.
People who would think that women are only crying for attention and that there are no such troubles for them. These comments make me want to punch them on their faces. LOOK AT THE BIGGER PROBLEM on what we are trying to highlight PLEASE.
These comments are exactly why we need this book. As Taylor Swift once said “fu-k the patriarchy”. And also Taylor Swift’s song THE MAN fits exactly well for this book.
Do I Recommend this Book?
I see no reason why one must not read this book. Without doubt, pick it up. Sit back, and have a great time reading. For dog-lovers, there is a very cute surprise for you which you might love. This book is so well written! Easily one of the best books I’ve ever read.
The book, Lessons in Chemistry, is also adapted into an American historical drama miniseries created by Lee Eisenberg. I am yet to watch this (maybe soon), but I am pretty sure the book will be better than the show haha.
Also Read – Book Review: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
My Favorite Quotes From Lessons in Chemistry
“Imagine if all men took women seriously. Education would change. The workforce would revolutionize. Marriage counsellors would go out of business. Do you see my point?” – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
“Sometimes I think,” she said slowly, “that if a man were to spend a day being a woman in America, he wouldn’t make it past noon.” – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
“Whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change – and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what YOU will change. And then get started.” – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
“Humans need reassurance, they need to know others survived in hard times. And unlike other species which do a better job of learning from their mistakes, humans require constant threats and reminders to be nice.” – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
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