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.

But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Forced to resign, she reluctantly signs on as the host of a cooking show, Supper at Six. But her revolutionary approach to cooking, fuelled by scientific and rational commentary, grabs the attention of a nation.

Soon, a legion of overlooked housewives find themselves daring to change the status quo. One molecule at a time.

I loved this - every page of it. And to think I’d held off reading it because everyone was saying how good it was (I don’t even understand my own logic sometimes!). Actually, I think I was worried I wouldn’t like it. No need to be concerned though!

There’s a serious theme behind the laugh out loud moments. Elizabeth Zott is a single parent and what’s more, she was never married. And to add insult to injury, she wants to work as an actual scientist - a chemist (believe me, I live in a house of scientists, and it’s a serious business!). And she’s a very good scientist.

The 1950’s were no time to have a career if you were female. The general feeling I get from this, is that they (the men) wanted women to look pretty, pop out babies and do the cooking and cleaning. I think I may be the antithesis of the 1950’s woman…

I loved Elizabeth Zott. She’s funny, intelligent, and she takes no nonsense. I’ve seen reviews where people say she’s clearly autistic, but I’m not so sure. Elizabeth had a difficult childhood, a hard time at university, and she’s constantly having to prove herself. I don’t know as I’d feel too chipper in her shoes.

But I laughed a lot. Her daughter is charming, her friends are the best, and the dog is clearly the star of the show!
Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book, great characters and a great story. Thanks for letting me review this book!

Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant scientist and wants to be treated as equal to her male counterparts at the Hastings Research Institute. Unfortunately its the 1960s and her male colleagues don't agree with equality - that is until she meets Nobel prize winner Calvin Evans.

They form an unexpected friendship when they both realise they have finally found somebody they can talk to on an equal footing. Life becomes good until tragedy strikes and Elizabeth finds herself as a single mother and out of work.

A chance meeting with a parent from her daughters school who is a producer for daytime TV provides an opportunity for Elizabeth to return to work in the field she loves most.... Chemistry. The TV producers meant the show was cooking. Elizabeth constantly goes her own way and shows that chemistry can be applied to everyday tasks - even cooking.

Not only is this story about a strong willed woman who won't let stereotyping and biased stop her from doing what she loves and that if you are passionate about something - fight to be able to do it and be recognised in your own right. It also gives the other side of that strong woman in her vulnerabilities and insecurities on being a mother.

Not quite the comedic book that I was expecting from the synopsis but a good read.

Definitely my favourite book I've read this year so far (and I've read a lot).

I loved the main character and the way that her story was told.
I was hooked from the start and kept wanting to read more.
A definite must read, and an easy five star from me.

Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 60s, when women were not expected to be equal or better than men. After becoming a mother, she almost accidentally starts a TV cooking show, using her unique blend of food and chemistry to be successful.

Lessons in Chemistry is a thoroughly entertaining read. Elizabeth is an unusual heroine, but she carries it off well, and is a character that resonates. At times both happy and sad, this is a great story and one I would recommend to all.

Brilliant

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. On one side it was really interesting the way it approached the conditions of women in the 1960s (and their treatment in the academic and scientific fields) and I actually really liked the main character, Elizabeth.

On the other side is the fact that my expectations of this book did not match what I was reading. I went into it expecting something a lot more charming and funny and it's just not what this book is. I blame the marketing for that, as the book seems to sell itself on being about a 'chemistry scientist' meets 'Julia Child'. We follow Elizabeth, a highly intelligent scientist who becomes a television personality with a cooking (chemistry) show.

Yes that's part of the story, but not really what it's about. It's about women and breaking the status quo. It's a lot more serious than it tries to sell itself as.

Indeed, the book starts with a rape scene. I did know expect that and it really threw me when I started reading. It's something to be aware of in terms of trigger warnings.

The novel is also about 2 unlikely intelligent people who fall in love, the way they break the mould and societal expectations together. It's about family, about a mother & daughter (who is also wise and smart beyond her years), a narrating dog, and plenty of women allies (and enemies-t0-allies).

The tv show itself I found ridiculous and maybe I'm underestimating my fellow women here, but I don't believe that a chemistry-based tv show would be that popular. By the end, what I was really taken with were the different relationships and that's why I gave it a 4.

Absolutely page turning and an iconic novel that will become a modern classic. I could not put this down and Elizabeth Zott is one of those characters who will become an icon and inspiration to women of all ages. I can't stop recommending this to friends and family and can't wait to see what Bonnie Garmus goes on to do next!

I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to reading this, because it's really good. Elizabeth Zott is a gifted scientist; unfortunately for her, early 1960s USA isn't exactly conducive to allowing Elizabeth to pursue the life she chooses. Indeed, some really awful things happen to her along the way. Some really, really awful things when you think about it, and the impact on her is not underestimated, but it's handled with enough lightness of touch that it never feels like too much.

Elizabeth and her daughter Madeline aren't necessarily the most believable characters - Mad at the age of five has already read most of Dickens, she's not like the other girls - but it's always entertaining. There are some great side characters - I loved Harriet - and some very hateful ones who you're desperate to see get their comeuppance.

It does seem to finish a little abruptly, with a rush of exposition towards the end, but it's a highly enjoyable read with some important things to say.

Elizabeth Zott in a Chemist in 1950s America working for a Research Company but not taken seriously by her male colleagues. Whilst working there she meets Calvin Evans another brilliant chemist, the mutual attraction between them is instant but for various reasons neither will acknowledge it.

Will Elizabeth succeed in this male dominated world? And how?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would have no hesitation in recommending it.

I loved this book and am not surprised to see that it captured the public imagination really quickly after publication. It combines wry humour with deeply memorable characterisation and I'm really looking forward to the forthcoming adaptation for screen..

Bonnie Garmus manages to create unique and interesting characters surrounding an engrossing plot. It tackles some horrible but important stories that women faced in the 60s and highlights how some of this is still apparent in today’s society. I loved all the characters but Six-Thirty was my favourite - I could read a whole book about him!

I devoured this book in a single sitting, hilarious, heartwarming & heartbreaking it’s definitely a rollercoaster of emotions. It always wonderful to read a book that really does live up to all it’s hype.

Set in the 50’s and 60’s I loved the character of Elizabeth Zott and all she represents in her fight for women’s rights, a trail blazing woman ahead of her time. The canine character of Six-Thirty also brought a lovely quirky element. The reason this book didn’t quite hit the 5 star for me is due to the fact it was overly quite predictable and perhaps even a little cringey in parts but despite that I still found it a joy to read, especially impressive for a debut.

I am very excited to see what else Bonnie Garmus has to offer and I will definitely be reading her next book.

DNF @ 20% (NetGalley ARC)

I very rarely write a review for a book I didn't finish, but here are the main two reasons I stopped reading this book:

1. The writing style and the story did not match up in the slightest. It's written in a whimsical, light-hearted way, with no variation for very dark and traumatic things that the characters go through.

2. The 'white feminist fantasy'. Every 21st century white feminist (myself included) wants to believe that, if they were born decades earlier, they would still hold the exact same values, and that belief is the entire basis for this book. Already, during a flashback to the 1950s, the main character has treated us to Second Wave Feminism 101, stating as obvious fact what two decades later would be radical ideas. She claims to speak on behalf of all women, but internally says that most women don't feel the same way she does and she looks down on them for it (because, of course, she is Not Like Other Girls, and neither is her daughter).

It's so frustrating because had this book been better executed, it could have been an incredibly powerful and nuanced tale. Perhaps it improves; I doubt point 1 will, and I'm not optimistic enough about point 2 to keep reading.

I wanted to love it - everyone told me it was amazing - but sadly it took a while to get into, and it seemed to finish suddenly. I warmed to the characters and I loved the campaign for this title, but I was surprised that the cooking show wasn't the main element until 50% of the way in. A gorgeous cover, solid writing and lovely characters.

I think this was the best book that I read in 2022. The detail of the relationships and the transformation that takes place is fabulous. Part thriller family saga and so much more. It would make a great film.

I couldn't get into the book. This book was not for me. I apologize for not properly reviewing the book.

A wonderfully warm and witty story with so much more depth and complexity than the blurb would have you believe. Definitely an unexpected favourite of 2022.

Full review to come.

WITTY and WONDERFUL -this is a MUST READ, laugh out loud DEBUT!

Absolutely loved every second of my time with Elizabeth Zott and looking forward to the TV adaption.

The perfect December read, when we all have enough going on in real life that, straightforward, charming writing, the sort that you can just sink into with little effort is just what is needed.

I’m pretty sure that you all know the story:
Elizabeth Zott - Chemist meets Calvin Evans, brilliant Nobel nominated fellow chemist.
Elizabeth Zott TV star, single mother, owner of highly intelligent dog Six-Thirty.
Elizabeth Zott, uncompromising, intelligent, beautiful, straight talking woman.

Lessons in Chemistry is full to the brim with 1960’s misogyny; frustrating, infuriating, galling and irritating.

Lessons is also full of life-affirming, often hilarious and always candid slices of humanity. Sadness and tragedy run through this story but it doesn’t define it.

Bonnie Garmus has captured the time to perfection; taking me back to TV series like Bewitched and more recently the film On The Basis of Sex, a true testament to her writing.

Hugely entertaining with a dollop of heart. Loved it.