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scrollingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I literally love this book. I love Elizabeth, Mad, Calvin, and Six-Thirty.
I won't give the plot away, but in brief, Elizabeth is a gifted chemist, but she's also female. In the late 1950s this means she's only fit to be a secretary or lab tech at best! But Elizabeth doesn't see obstacles and instead converts her kitchen into a lab.
Hands up - I read this book as a change from my normal HF and because I liked the cover. How superficial is that! But boy, did I strike lucky. This is a sucker punch to the gut read in the best possible way.
So what's it about? Msyogeny, love, chemistry, friendship, and survival...oh, and a hyper-intelligent dog called Six-Thirty. I don't read much feminist literature, mainly because I don't want to be preached to, but Lessons in Chemistry eloquently demonstrates it's not brain capacity that matters but the shape of your genitals. It is a book about the determination not to compromise, no matter what, and about putting personal standards ahead of everything else. Sounds like a dry read? Nothing further from the truth. This is witty, pithy, and entertaining from start to finish.
Fave Quote:
"She knew stupid people weren't smart enough to know they were stupid, but she assumed unattractive people knew they were unattractive because of mirrors."
I won't give the plot away, but in brief, Elizabeth is a gifted chemist, but she's also female. In the late 1950s this means she's only fit to be a secretary or lab tech at best! But Elizabeth doesn't see obstacles and instead converts her kitchen into a lab.
Hands up - I read this book as a change from my normal HF and because I liked the cover. How superficial is that! But boy, did I strike lucky. This is a sucker punch to the gut read in the best possible way.
So what's it about? Msyogeny, love, chemistry, friendship, and survival...oh, and a hyper-intelligent dog called Six-Thirty. I don't read much feminist literature, mainly because I don't want to be preached to, but Lessons in Chemistry eloquently demonstrates it's not brain capacity that matters but the shape of your genitals. It is a book about the determination not to compromise, no matter what, and about putting personal standards ahead of everything else. Sounds like a dry read? Nothing further from the truth. This is witty, pithy, and entertaining from start to finish.
Fave Quote:
"She knew stupid people weren't smart enough to know they were stupid, but she assumed unattractive people knew they were unattractive because of mirrors."
mariy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lara_aadelis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I picked this up because I needed a break from my fantasy book Marathons, and very much enjoyed it - Elizabeth Zott‘s no-nonsense character is not always the easiest to relate to, but certainly someone to admire and be awed by, and the setbacks and struggles she endures make her human. The supporting cast is also a good addition, playing off well from Elizabeth Zott.
This is a nice story to enjoy if you‘re looking for something inspirational, combined with an emotional family story. It is not especially tense, and everything gets wrapped up nicely - whether this a down- or upturn for you might very much depend on the mood.
This is a nice story to enjoy if you‘re looking for something inspirational, combined with an emotional family story. It is not especially tense, and everything gets wrapped up nicely - whether this a down- or upturn for you might very much depend on the mood.
marimbagirl22's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent read with great character development, and a thorough storyline. The writing was wonderful. I appreciated the multiple POV the author took when telling the story as I don't think first person would've worked.
I related to this book in a million different ways. As a woman who got a degree in Physics, I experienced the sexism that was written in this book while working on my degree, and in employment. Now I experience the judgment of 'what do stay at home parents really do' and it is frustrating. Even though the book was historical fiction, it most definitely discussed modern issues we are still faced with today.
I related to this book in a million different ways. As a woman who got a degree in Physics, I experienced the sexism that was written in this book while working on my degree, and in employment. Now I experience the judgment of 'what do stay at home parents really do' and it is frustrating. Even though the book was historical fiction, it most definitely discussed modern issues we are still faced with today.
dmsullivan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
"But as she read, she'd found herself wondering - did the artist ever get distracted? Ink an asp instead of a goat? And if so, did he have to let it stand? Probably. On the other hand, wasn't that the very definition of life? Constant adaptations brought about by a series of never-ending mistakes? Yes, and she should know."
This one was an enjoyable journey with a great message and a positive ending. The injustice Elizabeth endured was infuriating, but I liked how it all ended up. I'd like to think we've come along way since 1960's, and while we have in some way, there's also still more work to be done.
This one was an enjoyable journey with a great message and a positive ending. The injustice Elizabeth endured was infuriating, but I liked how it all ended up. I'd like to think we've come along way since 1960's, and while we have in some way, there's also still more work to be done.
elsa25's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.75
SO FUN! And equal parts a sad depiction of women’s struggles in the 60s and throughout time. It is true that it couldn’t done with some intersectional feminism but pretty flawless otherwise.
fire_wolf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Elizabeth Zott the woman that you are!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming and Suicide
Minor: Vomit
blaubunt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
evielynn0713's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so fantastic! It is funny, heartwarming, and often times INFURIATING!!! It is well worth the read and it is no surprise to me now why this book is on many top ten lists this year! This book also had alot of wonderful quotes I'd like to share!
“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.”
“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.”
“Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do.”
“The librarian is the most important educator in school. What she doesn’t know, she can find out. This is not an opinion; it’s a fact. Do not share this fact with Mrs. Mudford.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do.”
“The librarian is the most important educator in school. What she doesn’t know, she can find out. This is not an opinion; it’s a fact. Do not share this fact with Mrs. Mudford.”