#6. Women in STEM – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Hardback)

I read this book in 2022 not long after its release. I heard countless reviewers extoling its virtues and so, unusually, I bought the hardback. It had been classed as original, fresh and captivating. By the end of the first page, I already loved Elizabeth Zott and wanted to read her story.

For this challenge I didn’t plan on re-reading the book. I was looking for another book relating to women in STEM, however, as the challenge progressed and I still hadn’t found something I wanted to read, the local book group announced their next book was going to be…"Lessons in Chemistry." It seems fate decided I would read the book again!

 

“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. 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.”

 

Sometimes debut novels come with a pomp and ceremony that isn’t deserved, the “must read” becomes a disappointing trudge through endless pages of nonsense until you finally reach the end with a sigh, wondering why you’d missed what the fuss was all about. Thankfully, this is not one of those books. This is a thought-provoking story, tackling hard hitting issues of abuse, loss, misogyny, self-worth and change, seen through the eyes of a very remarkable woman and her dog.

1950s/60s trailblazing women are nothing new, in “The Queen’s Gambit” by Walter Tevis, Beth Harmon is a chess prodigy who against all odds becomes America’s number 1 chess player. Julia Child was an American chef, author and TV personality, recognised for bring French cuisine to an American audience. Elizabeth Zott, the fictional heroine of “Lessons in Chemistry” becomes a success in the male dominated area of chemistry (albeit not in the way she would have liked or imagined.)

This is obviously a well-researched novel, but it is written with a dry wit that keeps the novel bright and entertaining rather than a mundane trudge through the history books. This light-hearted novel is centred around a unique character who has experienced some dreadful things in life, but she does not let them define who she is. She refuses to be anything but herself, despite the best endeavours of those around her telling her what she can and can’t do.

The novel begins in 1961 when we’re introduced to Elizabeth, as a 30-year-old single mother, who is the host of “Supper at Six,” a teatime cookery show aimed at housewives. The tale then jumps back in time to explain how Elizabeth finds herself at this crossroads in her life.

Despite being a brilliant research chemist, she is thwarted by 1950s attitudes towards women. As an undergraduate she was viewed with suspicion by her male counterparts and was subjected to misogynistic abuse, a sexual assault and her work stolen. Her independent attitude was seen by women as something to be feared rather than embraced, and so when she meets Calvin Evans, a Nobel-nominated chemist who wants to share his work and ideas with her, a glimmer of hope beckons. Sadly, their relationship is doomed and she is unable to continue her work at the research facility, which is how she now finds herself in the home of America’s housewives each evening.

“Children, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself.”

The TV world is just as male dominated as the world of science, but this does not deter Zott from using her TV show as a platform to encourage all those bored housewives to spark a revolution and follow their dreams and passions. She ignores producers when they tell her she must advertise unhealthy canned products, instead extolling the virtue of a wholesome home cooked meal and the science behind her recipes.

Reading the book for the second time was a little strange because since it was issued, a TV series based on the book was released. Brie Larson’s portrayal of Elizabeth was authentic to the book, bringing a depth to a character who defies society norms in her pursuit of women working in the field of science. What wasn’t authentic in the series was the inclusion of black characters and their narrative, however, I enjoyed those additional storylines, and in some respects, I missed those characters when I returned to the novel.

In truth though, I like the book as is, and I like the TV show as is, seeing them both as independent entertainment. Most TV adaptations don’t stick rigidly to the book they are based on, so it was refreshing to watch not only how badly women were treated in the 1950s/60’s, but also how harshly black people were regarded, and of course if you were a black woman, having your voice heard was even harder. The TV show pulled into tight focus the obstacles in society at the time and how strongly people fought for their rights.

“Whenever you start doubting yourself,” … “whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change – and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design you own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.”

The novel is a story about Elizabeth Zott though, and there are already a few minor characters who take up too much space amongst the pages, detracting from Elizabeth’s unconventional outlook on life which is what the book is about. She is a role-model for readers, encouraging them to believe in themselves, that they do have power, and they do have self-worth.

There is notably some magical-realism going on with a lot of the narrative being told by Elizabeth’s dog Six-Thirty which will have readers opinions running rampant. Some will find it silly or grating, and others will love the quirky added dimension. I fall into that second category. I love Six-Thirty, the loveable and supremely intelligent pooch that Elizabeth rescued after she found him on the streets having been kicked out of a bomb-sniffing program. He is possibly the only male that Elizabeth knows she can rely on, and he brings moments of light relief in a book that is peppered with some heavy and difficult topics.

This is a book I was sad to finish, but glad to have had a reason to read for a second time!

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Feminism, Historical

Release Date: 5^th April 2022 – Hardback

Publisher: Doubleday

Pages: 390

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