Lessons in Chemistry
#1 GLOBAL BESTSELLER WITH MORE THAN 8 MILLION COPIES SOLD • Meet Elizabeth Zott: “a gifted research chemist, absurdly self-assured and immune to social convention” (The Washington Post) in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show. • STREAM ON APPLE TV+
This novel is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel” (The New York Times Book Review) and “witty, sometimes hilarious...the Catch-22 of early feminism” (Stephen King, via Twitter).
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek
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.
- Pages
- 400
- First published
- April 5, 2022
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Shelved by 12 Litcadians
Reviews
Finished November 29, 2024
⭐️ 4/5 📖 My Thoughts What a quirky, surprising story. The story subverted my expectations to what I’d read in the synopsis and that’s never a bad thing. I’ll be honest; I struggled at times with liking how the author wrote Elizabeth. At times, she felt self-satisfied in ways which made her feel disconnected from everyday women. She seemed almost too perfect, but as I read more, I realized that that in itself was her flaw as a character and how the author intended to write her. Elizabeth, like many women, blame ourselves for things entirely out of our control. Like many women, we settle for less because we feel it’s what we deserve. Like many women, we put on a face to show the world we can’t be broken. But we can be broken but we can also put ourselves back together. I loved that the most about Elizabeth; her unwillingness to quit. While she sacrificed some parts of herself, she fought courageously to keep the essence of herself intact. But let’s be honest, it takes a village. The supportive side characters made this story just as good or possibly even better. ⚠️ Trigger Warnings Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexism Moderate: Suicide, Death, Sexual harassment Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Vomit
Started November 26, 2024 · Finished November 29, 2024
The FMC in this was SUCH a vibe. I loved her complex yet simple ability to just understand things and make sense of the inconsistencies between the different sexes or race. This book had so many ups and downs, and some very real issues that are still very prominent even today, despite this taking place in the 50s and 60s. From suicide, depression, sexual assault, lies, thievery, and catastrophic loss - It really reminds you how fucked up not just society is, and has been for a really long time, but also life as a whole. It also reminds me, it’s these hard things that make us who we are as complicated and messy people. I love how she is determined to not only succeed but also encourages women to not let anyone: “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.” I absolutely loved the daughter and I always love a fun dog sidekick. The found family in this was so wonderful and even near the end where I felt it could have been shorter, I found myself wanting more. 🌶️ 1/5 - This isnt really about the “love story” - it truly is a lesson in chemistry, just as much as it is a lesson in life. The FMC describes her relationship as something that is truly felt in the soul, not something bound by a silly legal document, she believes it is more on the molecular level as being simple chemistry, which is a really beautiful way of seeing things. Side Note: I LOVE the show and I am really glad I have experienced both - the book and show were very well done. Highly recommend both.
Finished January 11, 2024
- informativeinspiringMedium-paced
Started April 15, 2023 · Finished May 1, 2023
▸ Did not finish (1)
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