Lessons in Chemistry
I dedicate this book to the #WomenHistoryMonth in March and it took me almost a month to complete it. I started this on Audible and half way through, I knew I wanted to make annotations and highlight so many thoughts and dialogues. So a print copy emerged and I restarted with similar rigour. I am quite impressed with the author for their debut work, which is so taut and clean that it made me look up Bonnie Garmus and her background. That she was a copywriter was no surprise, then.
Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1960s who struggles to gain recognition from her male colleagues who view her only as a secretary and refuse to acknowledge her expertise in the field. She constantly faced the challenge of having my work stolen by my colleagues until Calvin Evans arrived on the scene and recognised my talent. However, several years later, she became the host of a cooking show, which seemed to distract from my passion for chemistry.
Despite this unexpected change in career, she remained a strong and resilient character, who never lost my desire to be recognised as a chemist. Her perseverance and determination make her a hero.
The supporting characters in the story are colourful and spirited, adding depth and humour to the plot. Her neighbour becomes her most supportive ally and her prodigy of a daughter shines through. Six-Thirty, the beloved canine, is especially endearing to animal lovers.
The writing style of the book is witty and original, with a zing that makes it a joy to read. The story is emotionally compelling, evoking laughter and introspection in equal measure.
The book is a delightful gem that should not be overlooked. It is a heartwarming story of perseverance, friendship, and the pursuit of one's passion.
Having said that, it is not like it does not have issues. Zott is a woman of the 60s, but some of her dialogues come across as very millennial. She sometimes come across as very robotic and in the garb of being practical, sometimes she appears unreasonable. But that is excused, because overall the book is a gift and I am so glad I got to read it as a recommended read for one of my reading clubs.
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