Wow. This book was absolutely mind blowing to read. I was utterly enthralled by Elizabeth’s story. The tenacity and determination and fight she needed to survive each day and the impact she had on those around her was mind blowing. It was a very humbling read- I’m guilty of thinking the fact women were admitted to university etc meant things were moving in the right direction, but this story demonstrates how much inequality, abuse and entrenched sexism there was across American society in the 1960s.
I devoured the book in record time because I was so invested in what happened to Mad, Elizabeth, Harriet and 6:30. All the characters were so realistic and I raved about the book to absolutely everyone while I was reading it! Have added Bonnie Garmus to my list of authors to follow- I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

“Chemistry is change.”

Lessons in Chemistry is an absolute must-read. It is set in the period between 1950s and 1960s and follows the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scientist who finds herself single, pregnant and out of job. When an opportunity presents itself, Elizabeth takes an offer to host a cooking tv show — but, believe me, this short summary is just the tip of the iceberg.
I’ve heard they’re already developing Apple TV series but reading this book is pretty much like watching it play out on your mind screen. It is full of colour, humour, sadness, oddness, genius... chemistry. Bonnie Garmus has done an incredible job. I loved everything about this book: the characters (Elizabeth and Six-Thirty, and their bond in particular), the way the story’s told, the setting and plot twists. Six-Thirty stole the spotlight numerous times. I especially appreciate the role and the voice the author has given him.
I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll end with this: Lessons in Chemistry deserves all the praise it gets. I can’t recommend it enough.

I have never read a book like this before - it was funny, fresh and so full of joy. I was bereft when it was finished but will be looking out for more books by the author in the future.

I loved this - in the main. Bonnie Garmus has written a funny, wise and original book about how women were expected to 'be' in the 1960s - and what happens when one woman, Elizabeth Zott, fights against the expected convention.

Zott is a successful, career-minded chemist - she is not interested in domestic life, having a family, getting married - but when she meets fellow, very successful chemist, Calvin Evans, things take a turn. Tragedy strikes - but Elizabeth ends up with 'Mad', her somewhat precocious and intelligent daughter, and becomes ones of the most talked-about women on TV in America.

Garmus has written a book which puts the woman at the fore, something that would have not been typical in the 1960s. The novel follows Zott's life, from learning to row, through to presenting 'Supper at Six'. It's funny; it's cringeworthy; it's certainly memorable. The characterisation is superb, particularly of Zott, Harriet Sloane, her neighbour, and the dreadful Mrs Mudford. Aside from this, and the reason I am holding back from 5*, I wasn't sure it was completely convincing of 1960s America - it just felt too current, at times, to be a realistic representation of the period. And... Six-Thirty, the family dog, although a key character... I am just not sure his viewpoint necessarily works. Yes, I can see how his role is important, considering what happens to Calvin, his master, but his contributions jar for me and often seem surplus to requirements.

'Lessons in Chemistry' is clever and will do well - as will the TV adaptation which I am very much looking forward to. Read and enjoy!

Lessons in Chemistry was a book that left me conflicted - I spent a good 50% of the book infuriated at the Miranda Hart-esque omnipresent narrator's quips to the reader and the other 50% laughing out loud at them.

I loved Six-Thirty, Harriet and Mad as characters, and the book became more enjoyable as it shifted the focus onto them.

There's definitely a certain charm to this book,and that will get it far.
It also has some pretty memorable characters in it,not least the dog.
It was an interesting read,that captured the sexism of the era well.
Enjoyable.

Without a doubt one of my favourite books this year. Elizabeth Zott is one of my favourite characters in a long time. Feminist icon!
I don’t want to say too much as I think this book is best read with no preconceptions or part spoilers as there is so much joy in just seeing where this story leads you.
We meet Elizabeth as a reluctant TV tea-time cookery star in the 1950s. But she’s actually a supremely talented chemist. How and why she ended up there is to be revealed.
My only negative is that I read this digitally, it’s not released for another 7 months and I want to share it with everyone!

What a wonderful breath of fresh air book! The characters were unforgettable; chemist and cook, Elizabeth Zott and her daughter, Mad Zott; Six-Thirty, the dog that understood hundreds of words and the animal (human or dog) heart, Calvin Evans, who put rowing (and Elizabeth Zott) ahead of the Noble Prize, and a cast of many more misfits who become family. Laugh out loud funny, snigger funny, and GO ELIZABETH ZOTT spectacular. Definitely one of the best books I have read in the past year. It will be a massive hit. And will put a whole new spin on cooking supper.

Such an incredible book! Witty, joyful, emotional, touching and inspiring. I was totally immersed from the second I picked it up and I didn’t want it to end because I loved the characters so much. Elizabeth Zott has taken her place as one of my favourite fictional characters, and Six-thirty is definitely my favourite fictional dog!

Giving this 5 stars even though I felt it lagged a bit in places - that really didn't matter in the overall warmth, charm and wit of this story, which balances feelgood factor with deeper messages. Really makes you think about how far we have - and haven't - come where women's rights and sexual equality are concerned. Elizabeth is fabulous but Six Thirty steals the show.

I don’t think anything I can say will do this book justice. I love it from beginning to end and it will most certainly be in my top five reads of 2021.

It’s November 1961 and chemist Elizabeth Zott, who works at the Hastings Institute, has fallen into a TV role hosting ‘Supper at Six’ and has become an unlikely star in the ascendant. Cooking is chemistry, chemistry is life. Elizabeth is far from your average ‘60’s woman. For a start she’s a single mother to Mad Zott, shock, horror, especially to Mad’s odious teacher. Have I mentioned the dog, Six-Thirty? A divine canine, a failed bomb detection dog of remarkable emotional intelligence. Ten years earlier, same Institute, Calvin Evans, introvert, grudge holder, a genius, an exceptionally good rower and desperate to find a girlfriend meets Elizabeth Zott, also a grudge holder especially against the patriarchy. Chemistry in every sense of the word.

Ok, here goes. It’s inspiring, heartwarming, sad, joyous, intelligent, funny, witty, quirky, original,highly entertaining, life affirmingly brilliant and genius in my opinion! It captures the times, the patronising way women are treated ( can you see my lip curl and a developing snarl?) the assumptions, the blatant sexism and way worse which shocks you to the core even though you know it’s all true. She uses chemistry to reveal the dangers of a lob sided society which is completely one sided and to demonstrate the false limits on the potential of 50% of the population. It’s so cleverly done and I’m a science dunce but it made sense to me! The dialogue is excellent, at times it’s laugh out loud funny as it’s so well phrased or the mastery of a put down or understatement. Elizabeth is quite simply fabulous, I love her and want to be her but I’ll certainly need to mug up on the chemistry! Equally amazing is Mad and yes, let’s go back to the dog. As a massive dog lover to have Six-Thirty as a character in his own right is admirable and it works so well. I adore him and want to adopt him. The relationships are excellent too, some are a meeting of minds or to nurture, of love and admiration, of kinship and some are of professional jealousy or sabotage.

Overall, you’ll have gathered that I think this debut is amazing and I urge you to read it. It has every ingredient of a book that fascinates, delights, charms and engages. If for nothing else read it for Six-Thirty ... and to find his out he gets his name cos I’m not saying!!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially huge thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Doubleday for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Sometimes you know after one page that a book is just right for you. That's what I had with this excellent debut novel. The main character Elizabeth Zott is something else. I like a woman who doesn't take no for an answer and defies all social norms to do what she really wants: be a scientist. Ahead of her time, she is an example and inspiration to all women. The strength of this novel lies in its characters and in the very good writing. It draws you in and you can't really stop reading until it's finished. Enjoyable, with a lot of humour, very witty and wise. One of my favorite reads of this year.

I loved this book, I loved the characters, Zoe and Calvin and above all the wonderful cookery lessons. The author deals brilliantly with the whole issue of prejuduce and the way women in the 50s and 60s were treated. It also made me cringe as I am old enough to just about recall this and indeed this was how it was.. Gamus managed to keep a light touch despite the very serious issues it embraces. The book leaves us with hope, hope for the women of the future.

This is one of the most unique stories I have read. I was a little hesitant about it at first because the setting meant that it would be very much centred on white perspectives and stories. The author managed to make the story one of its time but also live to questions around race in the context of the civil rights movement.
The story of Elizabeth Zott is thoughtful and inspiring and most of all. The plot is action-packed and absorbing right until the end and the character development is also really well done.
At times I found it dragged a little in places, particularly around the events at the television studio but I understand why so much attention was given to these scenes. The way that Chemistry is woven into the cooking is fascinating and shows how we can learn complex things in the most mundane every day chores.
The love story between Elizabeth and Calvin is also endearing and aspirational - it also serves as an excellent back story for a strong female lead like Elizabeth.
The ending was just right for her and her family and although I grew up hating Chemistry in school, I'm finding that I am becoming drawn to it through real life experiences the way women in Elizabeth's audience do.
The story is therefore relatable and one I would encourage people to read if only for the Lessons in Chemistry!

This was a really refreshing read, fizzing with originality and verve. Bonnie Garmus creates a truly likeable character in Elizabeth Zott, a 1960s chemist, who ends up unwittingly presenting a cookery show, Supper at Six.

Lessons in Chemistry tackles big themes so deftly, touching on discrimination, abuse, science vs religion and of course, love. What's impressive is Garmus's ability to maintain a lightness of touch, despite some of the heavier context:

‘Calvin and I didn’t just click; we collided, literally, actually - in a theatre lobby. He vomited on me. You’re familiar with the big bang theory aren’t you?’

The ability to sustain a recurring canine point of view (in Elizabeth's dog Six-Thirty) also makes this debut incredibly charming, and I can’t wait to watch the series on Apple TV, set to star Brie Larson.

What a brilliant and unusual book! I raced through this debut novel in less than a day, the world of 1950s America captured astutely by Bonnie Garmus. A love story, a picture of grief and a rousing tale of sexist attitudes being roundly countered by determination and talent - all rolled into one.

This is a brilliant book, I enjoyed it so much. Elizabeth Zott is a wonderful character, and very admirable in her determination and perseverance to live her life to her standards. The cookery lessons are brilliant, and I am assuming they are real facts about nutrition, hydration etc. so learned a lot as well as being hugely entertained. Some of the episodes are so funny. The other characters are also well-written, especially the ones in Elizabeth's circle of friends. The book is so much more than this, as there is also Calvin's backstory, and how his life took the turns it did, and then the love story between Elizabeth and Calvin. Absolutely wonderful.

This is a wonderful book that transports the reader back to the 1950/60s and the associated societal prejudices against women. The story follows a tenacious and focused scientist throughout several pivotal years in her life introducing us to the disparate range of friends (and enemies) she meets along the way. There is sadness but this is well balanced with joy and love. The characters are so well introduced that they become real very quickly, especially Sixthirty with his loyalty and enormous vocabulary! It's a book of two halves but both beginning and end are as engaging as each other. I loved it.

Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a brilliant novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Lessons in Chemistry has everything you wants from a novel - it's moving, funny, and empowering. I can't wait to read more from Bonnie Garmus!

This book is an absolute joy a little gem that should be required reading for all young women
I read it with a great big grin on my face so grateful that although I was born just after this book was set I was educated and had a career after the women’s liberation movement
I found the book witty joyful and intelligent.The characters are the high point of the novel and are uniquely quirky and loveable .
Yes there are some clunky plot twists but their predictability makes the book fun rather like reading a grown up Lemony Snicket ,you know the goodies will win out over the baddies in the end .
I’m aware the rights have been snaffle up to make tv which I’ll try not to hate as I usually do when I’ve lived the book .
Everyone will be talking about this book when it is published I’m just delighted to have been able to read it early on NetGalley Uk