Lessons in Chemistry

A Novel

By: Bonnie Garmus

Narrated by: Miranda Raison, Bonnie Garmus, Pandora Sykes

#1 GLOBAL BESTSELLER WITH MORE THAN 8 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

Heartwarming and Empowering

Bonnie Garmus took a serious topic about inequality and told it in an empowering way. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed the story very much!

Wow is right!!

This is one of the BEST books I’ve read in 2022. I can not believe this is the debut novel for Bonnie Garmus, it is perfection! This book made me laugh out loud, cry tears of both joy and sadness, gasp in horror and cheer on the INCREDIBLE protagonist, Elizabeth Zott. It took me a little bit to get invested but after 50 pages I could not put it down! I became so deeply intrenched in the pages, it’s powerful message and fell in love with the many quirky characters. This will be a reread for me as I need more time with these lovable characters. Thank you Bonnie Garmus for writing such a treasure!

One of the best books I listened to in a while

What an outstanding story! I finished the book today, and am so sad it ended, I wish I could follow Elizabeth Zott’s life story for a bit longer.
It took me a while to connect to the story – but once I did – I LOVED it! The characters, the narration, the twists and turns of the story – everything. I hope Bonnie Garmus published more books, she is a talented writer.

Wonderful

The characters are very, very colorful. They are well described. Issues are handled In an interesting manner.

Wonderful book!

Enjoyed every moment of this book. From author, content, and narrator not a flaw in my ‘book’😊

Great book!

Great book! I loved the interview with the author at the end, too! Highly recommended!

Great chemistry!

Being a chemist who became a physician was my first attraction to this book. However, this book teaches about life and inspires us to go further.

Broke my heart then put it back together

I usually gravitate to romance for my non fiction picks. I only knew that this book was raved about but I didn’t know exactly why. This book made me swoon, then broke my heart then put me back together. Enjoyed this book very much.

Enthralling

One of the better reads - interesting, witty, and heart-warming. I switched back and forth from paper reading to audio just so I can finish faster. Audio was just as good, and the narrator made it that much more enjoyable.

One of my all-time favorites!!!

From the start to the end, I just loved this novel! It is funny, fascinating, and full of heart. It follows Elizabeth Zott, a rare woman attempting to make her way in the world of science in the early 60's. This is a love story; it is about barriers to women; it is about science, motherhood, rowing, cooking, and TV celebrity celebrity culture. And it is so much more. In tone, it reminds me of the early John Irving novels (Garp, Owen Meany, Cider House Rules), books I loved, and this is even better. This hits every note so perfectly, I hated to reach the end.