A review by epellicci
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

challenging dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

 Unfortunately, I didn’t quite get the hype with this one. Lessons in Chemistry follows the life story of Elizabeth Zott – a mould breaking, glass ceiling cracking Chemist in 1960 America. I didn’t love Elizabeth in the way that other readers have. As a result of her trauma, she is incredibly stiff, struggling to bond with those around her and taking herself so seriously that at times I couldn’t help but find her unlikable. This is not to say that she needed to be likable, but it made her incredibly isolated. I felt overrulingly sorry for her for most of the book, which I think Elizabeth would have hated, and also wasn’t what author Bonnie Garmus was aiming for.

I found the ending sudden, and while heart-warming for the main characters, it didn’t necessarily feel like it fit in with the rest of the book that everything would fall into place and we see a happy ending. There is a grittiness and constant undertone of brutality in Lessons in Chemistry. In contrast, the ending felt like a fairy tale, with the kindly old benefactor swooping in to make sure everything would now be okay.

Incredibly well written, Lessons in Chemistry kept me engaged despite not feeling massively drawn to the characters. I understand why other readers have enjoyed it so much, but at the end of the day it wasn’t for me. 
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