Bonnie Garmus’s debut novel, Lessons in Chemsitry, is what the world needs right now. This books features a woman ahead of her time, with an unusual desire to understand things, a brilliant dog side kick, and some amazing supporting characters. I am not giving a full picture on purpose of this book because you MUST read it to understand the magic, and beauty with in this Historical Fiction piece.
This book showcases what was wrong during the 1950’s and right now, it seems like a good time to showcase some of these issues. I want to live in a world that lifts people up, all people deserve an equal chance. No one should tell you how to live, or what is acceptable- listen to your own beat of the drum and make that damn music yourself, if no one else will. I read this book, and listened to it- and the narration was one of the best I have listened to since last years, Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary.
It showcases the female struggle in the 1950’s being exceptionally bright, female and being forced to take the back seat. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist. She is brilliant, and ahead of her time. Elizabeth is forced into incredibly difficult situations due to being simply a woman. I LOVED this book. It made me smile, cry, happy, angry, sad, and contemplative. The cover art of the books screams chick book, but it is SO much more- please don’t let the cover fool you. The book has some infuriating characters, and some amazingly kind characters. Needless to say, Elizabeth will not be following the acceptable norm of being a woman in the 1950’s. With litle rights, forced into a box of going to college to find a husband, and not use said degree- only to have kids and stay at home mom, with dinner on by 5pm for a hard working husband.
Read this book. It was such a joy to read.
Warning: This book deals with oppression, workplace HR issues, and rape.
The Whistling Pen 