Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

I confess I was initially skeptical about Bonnie Garmus’ wonderful debut novel, ‘Lessons In Chemistry.’   I was put off by the bubble gum orange and pink cover. But thanks to my DJKKS book group, I not only read the novel but couldn’t put it down. ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ is witty, quirky and wise. Garmus has created unforgettable characters who are authentic to themselves and others. 

The novel’s protagonist is Elizabeth Zott. She has a master’s degree in Chemistry from UCLA and her sole goal is to be a research scientist. But the year is 1952 and at every step of her academic journey, men hold power over her progress. They copy her work, call it their own, demean her and suggest she make coffee or take dictation. And, of course, they simply would not promote her.  “Men wanted to control her, touch her, dominate her, silence her, correct her, or tell her what to do. She didn’t understand why they couldn’t just treat her as a fellow human being, as a colleague, a friend, an equal, or even a stranger on the street.”

 Elizabeth Zott calls out the absurdities of a social system that resists using half the population’s talents. As women internalize their second-class status despite their equal capabilities, they psychologically internalize this externally imposed inferiority. But Elizabeth Zott’s brash and determined personality shows us what it could be like when women didn’t cower in the face of oppressive systems or align with their male oppressors. The book makes profound observations with humor and wit. A few times, I laughed out loud. But underneath wacky incidents and whimsical dialogue, Garmus exposes the absurdity of sexism in the 1950s, an era that many in our current political climate would like to replicate. ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ pleads with women to call out discrimination and act with courage rather than conform to the patriarchal system. I recommend this unique book. You will probably laugh while thinking about the perniciousness of sexism. 

 4.5/5.0