Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Lessons in Chemistry

I saw a fan edit of Elizabeth and Calvin for the TV show adaptation. I fell in love with it and found out it was from a book. The story switches povs and gives insight on how all the characters are involved, especially surrounding Calvin and of course Elizabeth. Through Elizabeth eyes and the women in the story, we see how women were underestimated and was expected to be within certain traditional societal roles. It is kinda funny as Elizabeth agrees to cook for the tv show and a man STILLS calls the shot even though "being in the kitchen is supposed to a woman's job". The women also partook in the misogynistic ideals, almost to the point bullying (Ms Mudd, i hate you. How sad for a full grown adult to go after a literal child) Sadly there are segsual harassment and assault mentioned, where the women spoke of it happening to them. This also occurred where the perpetrators was men in power or simply the next door husband. There are also themes of abuse, work discrimination, and everything we know of society back in 1950s-1960s. It definitely doesn't give us full on reparations and the ending we want, especially for Elizabeth and Madeline. Besides from them, we also get a glimpse into Calvin's past and how even he had his rough childhood. I just wanted him to get the childhood and parents he wanted and deserved (tbh literally any child). At least we see that Madeline gets to know his mom

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emmas_shelf's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed reading this book although I do believe it is missing some trigger warnings, [I did listen to the audiobook and so maybe they are in the printed version?] As a result, I think I found the first few hours of listening felt like I was experiencing emotional whiplash - sexism, science, feminism and utter tragedy all in the first third of the novel? Albeit, safe to say I was hooked as a result as I immediately felt connected to the characters of Calvin and Elizabeth.

I liked the historical context of this book being in the 60s and thus the themes of second wave feminism in its earlier forms. However, I do feel like this book didn't fully touch on intersectionality as much as it could have - although the author does mention intersectionality in the interview attached to the end of the audiobook which I thought was really insightful. I didn't realise this is a debut novel for the author, nor did I realise they were published later in their writing life. I think having the context of knowing she wanted to write about her mother's generation helped. Also she isn't a chemist, which considering how much chemistry knowledge is in this book is very impressive!

I almost want to join a book club to discuss the themes, difference scenes which popped up and I am wanting to watch the Apple TV series now to almost re-read/ go over this story again. There were some harder scenes to listen to but key themes of gender, workplace harassment, domestic violence, media, woman empowerment.

I think this book also had some whimsy aspects of it, none more so than having Six-Thirty the dog and thus an additional, unexpected POV to read from. It was an interesting creative decision but I didn't find myself hating it - although I know from reading other reviews, it wasn't to other people's taste.

Whilst one can read LIC and think 'it's at least not as bad for us(meaning women/ female-presenting people) nowadays' - I also think it is the point of the book to highlight how there are still too many similarities between Elizabeth Zott's reality and today. Which I also think is exactly the point, I am glad I read this book as its outside what I normally I read and it made me think. I suspect I will find myself randomly thinking about this book again and again, which to me is a good thing.

The expanse of side characters and how they all interwove together is a trope of mine I extremely enjoy. I was super satisfied with the ending of this book and enjoyed that Harriet, Walter, Rev. Wakely and even Fran Frask all intertwined within the novel. I just love it when the bigger picture/ small details circle back within a book.

I am very interested in reading whatever Bonnie wants to write next.

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peachybee53's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is honestly just a bit of fun. It is a highly dramatised reflection on how women are viewed and treated as subservient, incapable & good for only one thing. The protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, is hilarious, determined and gutsy.

I would advise anyone with a history of sexual assault to tread lightly with this one, but otherwise think the dry humour and darkness balance each other out well. The way Zott & Calvin fell in love gave me 'the ick,' and I thought that Calvin's family storyline and the rushed ending took away from it a bit.

Favourite quotes:

"Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do."

"I think [religion] teaches us that nothing is really our fault; that something or someone else is pulling the strings; the ultimately, we're not to blame for the way things are; that to improve things, we should pray. But the truth is, we are very much responsible for the badness in the world. And we have the power to fix it."

"It was her confidence, the certainty of who she was. She sowed it like a seed until it took root in others."

"Having a baby, Elizabeth realized, was a little like living with a visitor from a distant planet. There was a certain amount of give and take as the visitor learned your ways and you learned theirs, but gradually their ways faded and your ways stuck. Which she found regrettable. Because unlike adults, her visitor never tired of even the smallest discovery; always saw the magic in the extraordinary."

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iamaprettyflower's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I LOVED this book!!! I was gripped the entire way through. I love how head-strong Elizabeth is and despite her circumstances, she perseveres and takes no shit.

I highly recommend this book ❤️

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isabelcostamurray's review against another edition

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funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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robbi22's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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