A review by mukundshm
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-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? No

4.25

As perhaps my first delve into modern literary fiction, the book has pretty great fundamentals - an interesting plot/theme, great characterisation, and compelling narratives. I especially loved Zott’s character - you can’t help but admire Elizabeth’s grit even in the fact of a patriarchal wall standing in front of her. Plus, she is definitely different - makes you want to root for her all the more. 

I also loved the use of language and plot to convey emotion - for instance, making the plot get messy at a time when Elizabeth’s life begins to fall into disarray. The only knock, perhaps, is that the plot isn’t that laced-with-crack type of addictive. 

Still, a brilliant book & deserving of its accolades. I loved it!! 

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Content Warnings

Lessons in Chemistry is a book about Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant mind and genius chemist and her tussled with society in the early 1960s. It’s an exploration of womanhood and the experience of womanhood - the wonders, but more potently the issues. It explores society and the workplace and motherhood, and despite being set in the ‘60s, the themes stand out as being apt even now. The book focuses on Elizabeth’s work, mostly -

as a mother,

a chemist, and an on-screen persona. And how she affects women all around her.