I will admit I am sometimes suspicious of bestsellers. Not because I don’t like popular things (I’m currently Labubu shopping) but because I think they’re often a letdown – and then I feel confused by the hype.
So, when I was gifted the wildly popular Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, I didn’t have high hopes.
But this book is SO delightful. I loved every page.
It’s the story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist whose struggles to build a career in a sexist science community lead to her becoming the star of Supper at Six, an unconventional cooking show.
Elizabeth’s rejection of the cookie-cutter roles of the 60s isn’t without its challenges – in fact, the discrimination and harassment she faces is completely horrific. Parts of her story made me incredibly angry at what women then (and now) put up with to pursue a career in science and technology.
At the same time, there’s such a charming “story-ness” to this book – it’s almost like a fairytale. There’s good people, bad people, and even a talking dog (sort of).
Even though Lessons in Chemistry deals with some sad and infuriating topics, it’s an incredibly enjoyable read. I loved Elizabeth –when she wore trousers despite the TV station trying to bully her into a form-fitting dress; when she tries to teach her dog to understand English; and when she builds functioning science lab in place of her kitchen.
I wasn’t surprised to find Lessons in Chemistry been adapted into a TV series – it seems perfectly formatted for that, and the characters are already leaping off the page. I’ll be checking that out soon!
You can buy the book here.
Cherie lives, works, and reads in beautiful Tasmania – the green island gem below Australia known for its gorgeous landscape and beautiful wildlife. She holds multiple academic qualifications in English, journalism, and fine art theory, and has worked in writing, editing, and communications roles for more than a decade. Most importantly, she has a deep love for books that began as soon as she learned how to read.
Old, new, any genre – for Cherie, reading is about as vital as breathing. She is interested in sharing books that move, excite, and compel, so others can share the joy of a truly great read. While she reads across most genres, her favourite is literary fiction. Particularly anything by Margaret Atwood, Ottessa Moshfegh, Kate Atkinson, Elizabeth Berg, Ann Patchett, and Anne Tyler.
Cherie frequents Tasmania’s beautiful boutique book shops as well as scouring secondhand shops for books to add to her extensive home library. Catch up with her on LinkedIn and on Instagram.
