Lessons in Chemistry

A Novel

By: Bonnie Garmus

Narrated by: Miranda Raison, Bonnie Garmus, Pandora Sykes

Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 GLOBAL BESTSELLER WITH MORE THAN 6 MILLION COPIES SOLD • Meet Elizabeth Zott: “a gifted research chemist, absurdly self-assured and immune to social convention” (The Washington Post) in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show. • STREAM ON APPLE TV+

This novel is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel” (The New York Times Book Review) and “witty, sometimes hilarious...the Catch-22 of early feminism” (Stephen King, via Twitter).

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek

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 as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.

©2022 Bonnie Garmus (P)2022 Random House Audio

PERFECTION!

I've listened to many hundreds of Audible books over the years and a fair number have been loved deeply. However I have NEVER felt compelled to write a review until now. I didn't know what to expect from this story - but what I got was perfection. Perfect reader, perfect characters, perfect story. Did I say it is perfect? I couldn't stop listening. Strong women, science, a dog, a kid, challenging/believably unbelievable circumstances. I gasped, I cringed, I laughed out loud, I took deep breaths, I pondered wise words... What a ride! I seldom listen to a book twice...this one I will. And I'll be buying the hardcover to have and to hold. I can't wait for the next Bonnie Garmus creation!

Thoroughly enjoyed the plot and characters!

Reminded me of a John Irving novel and that's a compliment. Complex and well defined story about a woman I would have loved to have known - a smart, no-nonsense, woman who refuses to fit in and can't imagine why she would want to. There are reasons this book has been so well reviewed. Read it!

Unfortunately, the fly in the ointment, as has been mentioned by other reviews, is the narrator of the audio book. The GLARING mispronunciations were a real distraction. You'd think they would have had someone find out how to pronounce "Jack LaLanne", "acetylsalicylic acid", "Maillard reaction", and "morale".... to mention a few. A SIMPLE Google search could have saved a world of embarrassment.... it's pronounced "Jack la-LAIN"
https://youtu.be/y4A3mdG5zbQ

In a book about chemistry getting chemical names pronounced correctly is also important. I do wonder if the narrator us a native British speaker, I thought I caught the edge of a accent from time to time. Sadly, rwo GLARING errors there and some stumbles didn't serve the author well.

mispronunciation of Jack LaLanne drove me nuts

it was a great book. the crate writing, great story, and other than the mispronunciation, a great narrator. but to have such a common name mispronounced dozens of times in the book really drove me nuts.

I've heard mistakes like this in other books too. like in one book the constant mispronunciation of the name Chaim.

Mistakes like this would be so easy to correct and are so distracting to the listener and put such a tarnish on the book. It seems crazy to me that there's not more of an effort to catch them. It makes me wonder if anybody ever reviews the narration before it's published.

📚 Both Meaningful & Cute (But Not a Pulitzer)

Thoughtful But Light, and Serious But Cute.

First, on the Underlying Message of the Book:

Readers should take the message of gender discrimination and inequality in science/academia to heart, because these sorts of challenges are 1) historically accurate, and 2) denote issues still very alive today. But don't overthink all the details of its delivery or progression; the book is fiction and not every event is 100% plausible (e.g. realistically, Zott would never have been given her own show quite like that).

If, perchance, you are a man who has been told to read this book to 'open your eyes' to sexism in science/academia, you should choose a different, more informative, non-fiction book for educational purposes. This is a fictional story that describes the meaningful, important, but still fictional events of one woman.

Second, on the Pace, Mood, and Storyline:

The book is cute and relatively simple, not particularly riveting, but not especially slow. It's serious but cute, light but thoughtful, sad and funny, kind and cruel, and interesting- although not gripping.

I enjoyed it and especially loved the dog. Only two irritations:

1) The main character's inability to understand or relate to... let's say, neurotypical people, was great, but ¾ in, this became a tiresome focus and redundant attempt at humor.

2) Often, the audio reader pronounced 'library' as "lie-berry." Otherwise, good.

A+++

I absolutely loved this - the story, characters, and performance. Taking place is the early 60s, it’s the story of a brilliant, independent woman who was misunderstood but almost all who met her but stayed true to who she was — despite serious challenges and heartbreaking losses. Highly recommend this Audible version.

A Must Read

This was an amazing read- the story grabbed me from the start and I was hooked all the way through.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Great characters. Loved the story and Elizabeth Zott’s strong, independent drive to stay true to herself and science. Loved her relationship with Calvin, Harriett, Six-thirty, and Walter especially. Made me wonder what my Mother may have given up in the mid 50s as a young woman & Mother. It was a man’s world. My Mother was a “stand by your man” kind of woman & would never outshine my dad. Well written.

The best audiobook I’ve heard in a long time!

This novel is so good! It’s funny, sad, infuriating, and gratifying. The main character is so well developed. The plot is unexpected and susprising. You just cqn’t stop hearing it until the end.

Must listen just so good

Just love the characters in this book and this story…must read for sure! You’ll fall for them too

F bombs and Diety laced throughout

A well-written plot that ties several lives together in an intriguing and powerful way. So much language (f-bombs and diety) that I almost didn't finish. But I loved the characters and cheered for housewives and women in the workforce.