Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Book Review)

Hello everyone and welcome to my new book review of current and popular best seller on the shelves at the moment - and in different book clubs around the world. It's Bonnie Garmus' book Lessons in Chemistry. I found out that Apple TV will screen the show based on the book and it's something I'm looking forward to seeing because it felt like I was watching a TV show as I was reading this book.
This book is choc full of 2023 themes but in the context of how society treated women back in the late 1950s and early 1960s. We are introduced to a character Elizabeth Zott for all intents and purposes, thinks and acts like a 2023 woman so you can hazard to guess the difficulties that she finds herself in but that she doesn't let them get to her. Around her, she has wonderful friends (and 'frenemies') who try to understand her - and a dog called Six Thirty who also tries to understand what makes humans tick.
Over to you. Have you read this book?
What are your thoughts about the many themes in this book?
Which character did you warm to?
Feel free to leave your thoughts below.
#bookreview #booktube #BonnieGarmus #LessonsInChemistry #Reading #Fiction #bookclubs

[@kathykathyish]

I was in high school in the early 60’s and the book seemed a bit unbelievable but captured, so well, the treatment of women, especially those in the business, scientific, and ALL other aspects of working women. I remember relatives pretty much thinking that all women should take care of their husbands and babies! I was amazed how naive I was and learned later that many women were doctors, lawyers, researchers, etc.! So, it was possible to be a professional but it really depended on your family background. I was the first person in my family to get a degree. What a marvelous, thought provoking book. Can’t wait to discuss at my book club on Wednesday!

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

How wonderful to be the first in your family to university. Yes, I’m glad women of that generation made it easier for the women who followed. I’m sure your book club members would love it. It was the only book in our club that everyone enjoyed. 🤣

[@hwright1260]

I recently found your channel and really enjoy your reviews. I appreciate the authenticity of your opinions/analysis. I’ve picked up many of your recommendations that are now on my ever growing “to read” stack. Happy reading!

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thank YOU! I'm so glad you find these useful and I do hope that the book recommendations are enjoyable for you as they are for me. Of course, you may hate them too. After all the world would be a boring place if we all loved the same books!!! :-)

[@hwright1260]

One more thing, as a fellow Francophile, I highly recommend ‘My Life In France’ by Julia Child (in case you haven’t read it).

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

No I haven’t read this but it sounds right up my alley. I’ll check it out. I do know that she was a famous chef so I assume it’s about her time in the cookery school?

[@valentinasinichenko751]

I also found the book ending sound like a fairy-tale, for the 1960s

[@evangelinepoe8952]

Enjoyed your review very much. Initially I thought Elizabeth may be partially modeled after Marie Curie, who has been labelled (truthfully or falsely) as assertive and aggressive at times. And we only know this because she is one of the few female scientists talked/written about thru the years. But there have been hundreds of female scientists across all disciplines that had to have believed strongly in themselves and felt that they (mainly men) can marginalize me and even vilify me, but I’m not leaving because this is my life’s work. I also think of the strength, determination and endurance of the suffragettes and the women’s liberation movement. Thank You for making me think more deeply than what color should I stain the deck or paint the walls. I needed this. 🤓 And now while I finish fixing up my house, I’ll be thinking about all the things you mentioned in your review. Hope you have a great day!

[@evangelinepoe8952]

I forgot to andwer your thumbnail question: is it H2O?

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Elizabeth Zott was an example of many female scientists (and general thought of people at our book club when discussing this, women full stop, regardless of profession). This started a conversation with female Book Clubbers sharing their stories. It still occurs to this day but at least we can be vocal about it but we still have a long way to go. What worries me though now with AI is we may find bias in our systems that may put us backwards again as in my review of Man-Made by Tracey Spicer which i read recently. Enjoy the house renovations!! It’s nice to think about them than just the serious stuff all the time 🤣

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

When I write this I was thinking of the vinegar and baking solution I mix to use to clean around the house. It froths up so it lets off carbon dioxide gas. 🤣

[@heatherkirkland9056]

I enjoyed book and characters and totally agree with you interesting book once again books makes you question makes you think ( im not sure Tv programme to be made will stand up to book ) Good book to give young girls to read show how far we have come.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Yeah I’m waiting to see what the show would be like. It was a funny read which you need sometimes. I did have some questions where I just had to suspend judgement but hey, it’s fiction. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@lenaheimvik1040]

I absolutely love this book, the characters in particular. The tv series as well

[@ny.starks1384]

I believed Elizabeth was neurodiverse too! Once I saw the personality patterns, her character would become more understandable. She was ahead of her time with her intolerance for ignorance and bigotry.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Agree! Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts. It’s definitely a very popular book! Happy reading!

[@joycelatham6974]

Oh I totally agree with everything you said. However, one point I do disagree with is … I don’t think the audience house wives were bored. They were under rated, and they knew it. They just needed some one to validate them. Wasn’t the husband of the neighbour wonderful? He showed so well the pressure of the 1959 house wife. I too loved this book and would recommend to anyone. I wanted this book to be non fiction. Wouldn’t that have been wonderful? 🙌

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thanks Joyce, yeah it's really hard to tell what they would have felt like but you know, I'm glad they led the way for the rest of us. I can't even imagine what life would have been like and all I have to go by is what I saw in that TV series Mad Men which highlighted what these women went through at home and in the workplace. If you haven't seen this series, I highly recommend it. Yes, that husband was unbelievably real in my head. That scene where he's scratching his hairy stomach looking out over to Elizabeth's neighbouring house and how his wife Harriet reflects about his unattractiveness made me laugh out loud.

[@martinrasmussen7754]

I finally understood Chemistry, when i took an education at the age of 31. Listen...If a majority is to understand and STAY INTERESTED IN CHEMISTRY, YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT INTERESTING. WITH ALL IT INCLUDES...LIKE FIRST OF ALL...EXPLOSIVES. I DONT KNOW ANY CHEMIST, THAT DIDNT START WITH THE MOST INTERESTING. AND THEN EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS IN THAT CHEMICAL REACTION. Then the rest is like LEGO. Teach what is dangerous, and what is not. AND WHY IT IS LIKE THAT IN NATURE. Incredible you havent learned that yet. So called teachers.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Well I started my professional life as an organic chemist and then I spent the rest of it in learning and development. What you say is correct. Teach what may spark an interest and curiosity but ultimately it’s up to the individual to find the motivation, practice the skill, get feedback from learning to master anything. I enjoyed chemistry because it was like a puzzle for me.

[@mayenk.]

I think there would be people like Elizabeth in their time, but their most significant limitation would likely be racism. And probably they would be institutionalized, ostracized and likely the gatekeepers of her time would not allow her to progress.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Exactly - and unfortunately this still happens today. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts here.

[@davidseymour3726]

I thought the book was wonderful secret the Dog really wrote the whole book(LOL)

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

🤣

[@dubbingsync]

For me personally there were several plot lines that could have been cut out and not effected the story too much. For an example, I’ll say spoilers… Once one character dies, any plot line related to just him could have been cut out. Sure it would have changed the ending a little but it would have been about 100 pages shorter and much more tolerable as a book. It got a little all over the place near the end.

[@Chrysalis840]

This is a terrible book. Waste of time. DNF. One small hope was Brie Larson starring in a colorful Apple TV series of same but they race swapped two key characters and put a further nail in the coffin of any engagement I will have with this story.