Lessons in Chemistry
Fiction, Fiction & Poetry, General Fiction
Hardback Published on: 29/02/2024
£20.00
Bookseller Reviews
View all
Fun, honest and utterly feminist!
Who knew cooking could open up a new way of looking at the world? Our protagonist here goes on to challenge all the assumptions of her time whilst making ... READ MORE
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Perfect Chemistry
For me, Lessons in Chemistry is the Goldilocks zone fiction debut. Much like Eleanor Oliphant it has something to appeal to many readers depending on what ... READ MORE
Exceptional
This is a truly exceptional novel! Elizabeth Zott is one of the best characters I've ever read and this is one of the best books!
I'm not going to say too... READ MORE
Lessons in Chemistry
Even though I don't always gravitate towards Historical Fiction, I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book - it's fast reading and very... READ MORE
This! Book!
This! Book!I’ve never read something quite like it, frankly. Elizabeth Zott is what everyone has been saying that she is: a powerhouse, a tour de force, a ... READ MORE
What. A. Book.
Whilst the plot is entirely different, I don't think I've fallen in love with a book and character so immediately since Eleanor Oliphant. This is funny, cl... READ MORE
Chemistry Has Never Been So Entertaining
Elizabeth Zott is the host of a highly successful cookery show on television. She hates it. She hates it because Elizabeth Zott is a chemist, a brilliant c... READ MORE
Instantly iconic
Lessons in Chemistry is pure joy, and that does not let up throughout the entire story — each time you sit down to read. The turns of phrase are a delight,... READ MORE
What a refreshing story!
When Elizabeth Zott finds herself single, pregnant and unemployed, an unexpected opportunity will lead her to revolutionise how women see themselves and th... READ MORE
Challenging, thought-provoking and moving.
Elizabeth Zott is not like other literary heroines - a research chemist in 1950s America, she is constantly fighting against attitudes which tell her who s... READ MORE
Once you start reading, it's hard to stop!
Im actually not sure I have to words to describe just how great this book is, but I'll try.
It's quirky, intelligent, clever, inspiring, and empowering. ... READ MORE
Brilliant!
Set in 60s America, our protagonist is a scientist who is constantly thwarted by the male scientific community and ends up hosting a cookery show on TV. Sh... READ MORE
A fabulous feminist romp.
Fabulous, fantastic, extraordinary, heart-warming. I’m just getting in line with all the other reviewers who loved this book. I received my copy yesterday... READ MORE
The best Self-Help book one can think of!!!
Lesson in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is delightful, heartwarming, intelligent debut novel which stole my heart! The dog, Six-Thirty as a character is funny... READ MORE
You will want to re read this again and again and again
Yes it is that good. I literally felt physical pain when I finished it. I couldn't get into much for quite a while afterwards. I urge you not to miss out o... READ MORE
Woo Woo! All aboard the hype train!
Seriously though, the hype is justified.
A hilarious, well-written debut that just feels right the moment you start reading. You're safe in Bonnie Garmus'... READ MORE
More than lives up to the hype!
I just finished reading this book with happy tears in my eyes. I adore Zott and getting to know her and her story was an utter joy. I am so sad to have fin... READ MORE
Everything you need in a book
Where do I begin?!?!
This book absolutely had a grip on me, I loved the protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, who is an absolute icon. She absolutely refuses to... READ MORE
Sharp, wry and well-observed
"Cooking is chemistry and chemistry is life." It feels like so many have waxed lyrical about this book that it seems only fair to see if all the fuss is ju... READ MORE
Pure Joy!
An absolutely brilliant book. Elizabeth Zott is the kind of woman I want to be. Uncompromising, wilful and whip smart. Her story is frustrating, but her re... READ MORE
A brilliant story of hope, strength and live.
This novel is amazing. Elizabeth Zott is a woman to be proud of Her story begins in the 1950s. She is a scientist in a man's world and has to fight to surv... READ MORE
You must read this book!
I read a lot. I read all sorts of books, some are ok, some are good, some are very good and then there are a few that are amazing!
Lessons in Chemistry is ... READ MORE
Funny witty and smart with a "feminist" message
This book has been so widely reviewed it's hard to add anything new.
Loved it for its wit and feminist message. A male colleague read it too and asked wer... READ MORE
Favourite fiction book of the year so far! ❤️
My favourite fiction book this year - what a page turner! I laughed and almost cried through this rollercoaster of a book. Elizabeth Zott is a fabulous, fe... READ MORE
A force to be reckoned with
Elizabeth Zott is a force to be reckoned with. Her combination of utter genius and misunderstanding of basic social cues was an entertaining paradox. The w... READ MORE
An icon for all ages
It took me ages to finally read this books and I am so glad I did, it immediately became my favourite book of the year.
The cover of Lessons does not su... READ MORE
Personal Book of the Year
My bookselling colleagues have made so much of Garmus’ fantastic debut so I shall be brief and concise. From the incredible skill at plotting, sharp and w... READ MORE
I am in love with Elizabeth Zott
I commend Bonnie Garmus for being able to incorporate very dark, pressing themes with a light-hearted, whimsical style without trivialising or minimising t... READ MORE
I wish I could give this 6 stars!
I really loved this book! It’s really witty, engaging and tackles sexism in the 60s in a really accessible way. Elizabeth is such an interesting and comple... READ MORE
A must read
Elizabeth Zott is not your average protagonist - she is witty, intelligent, and inspirational to every woman who reads this. An empowering story about gend... READ MORE
Raw, refreshing and wholly original
Set in the 1960s, the story follows Elizabeth Zott's battles against all prejudices of the age as she fights to be herself. A scientist.
It's a raw, re... READ MORE
Fantastic
Much like the central character, Elizabeth Zott, this book is a force to be reckoned with. An absolutely brilliant Debut.
The Chemical Sisters
Lessons in Chemistry is about rejecting the limits placed on individuals by society. But, it is also about the price to be paid for refusing those chains.
... READ MORE
Addictive, stunning, feminist and just a masterpiece!
I flew through it in two days, less technically as I was working for those two days as well. Elizabeth Zott is an incredible character and Lessons in Chemi... READ MORE
Disregard everything you think you know about this book
I went into this expecting Taylor Jenkins Reid esque soppy nonsense but NOPE. Its hard to put into words but this is such an in depth perspective of what i... READ MORE
I Adored Lessons In Chemistry
Lessons In Chemistry is a must read for me. I couldn't put it down. I was captivated within the first few pages. Elizabeth Zott, what a lady... Progre... READ MORE
A SMASHING DEBUT. JUST WONDERFUL.
Where to start?! I simply can't praise this book enough; I loved every single second.
Initially reading the blurb I wasn't sure it was something I'd enjoy... READ MORE
Elizabeth Zott stole my heart!
This book will make you laugh and cry! It has it all, a strong female character, a very smart dog, a little bit of romance and science. It's set in the 60s... READ MORE
Up and atom
Elizabeth Zott has to be one of my favourite characters in a book. This debut novel from the clearly brilliant Bonnie Garmus possesses that rare and except... READ MORE
What a book!
One of my absolute favourite reads so far this year- undeniably funny and heartfelt, you fall in love with Elizabeth Zott and feel her story very deeply. T... READ MORE
Get comfy, readers. You won’t be putting this book down.
Elizabeth Zott is both the woman we can all relate to and the pillar of strength we aspire to be. In this debut, Garmus gets us increasingly more fired up ... READ MORE
This is going to be inflammable,
Elizabeth Zott presents an oddly popular cookery show on daytime television, but she is definitely not a glamorous 1960s American housewife. She is a bril... READ MORE
Feminism never tasted so good!
Half feminist rallying cry, half devastating drama about love and family, this book has something for everyone. Elizabeth is a fierce and no-nonsense prot... READ MORE
Wonderful cast of characters!
Led by an inspirational heroine, this book was as uplifting as it was empowering. I knew it was going to be brilliant, but I wasn’t expecting it to surpris... READ MORE
Synopsis
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 take a very unscientific view of equality.
Forced to resign, she reluctantly signs on as the host of a cooking show, Supper at Six.
But her revolutionary approach to cooking, fuelled by scientific and rational commentary, grabs the attention of a nation.
Soon, a legion of overlooked housewives find themselves daring to change the status quo. One molecule at a time.
This special clothbound edition makes the perfect gift, featuring stunning endpapers, sprayed edges, and never-before-seen, exclusive content by the author.
- Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
- ISBN: 9781529938296
- Number of pages: 416
- Weight: 620g
- Dimensions: 236 x 158 x 38 mm
Customer Reviews
View all“Chemistry is change.”
Lessons in Chemistry is an absolute must-read. It is set in the period between 1950s and 1960s and follows the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scienti... READ MORE
Meet Elizabeth Zott!
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.
Equality. Such a for... READ MORE
An true feminist novel with an awe inspiring heroine.
Brilliant! An original and refreshing novel, that introduces a fabulous character in Elizabeth Zott. I flew through this book, eating up every page and che... READ MORE
Lessons in performative virtue signalling
I really wanted to like this book. THe story seemed fascinating, and sadly still relevant-the difficulties of women being taken seriously in STEM, a change... READ MORE
A feminist narrative that misses the mark
lessons in chemistry was a real mixed bag for me, honestly. bits were done exceptionally well, but there were multiple odd choices and a lack of realism to... READ MORE
Not worth the hype
I'm giving this 3 stars because Bonnie Garmus can undoubtedly write, and despite everything, it was a page-turner, but it's a long time since a book wound ... READ MORE
Not for me
This book was a chore to read. I had to skip through a lot to get to the end.
Nothing really happens and the ending is a bit to neat.
I honestly did no... READ MORE
Not for me
So glad I’ve finished this book. Unfortunately I just can’t leave a book half read but I was sorely tempted with this one.
Women’s rights in the 50s, a gr... READ MORE
Lessons in Bad Characters
Prepare to roll your eyes and sigh an awful lot
Fantastic!
historical-novel, historical-research, history-and-culture, misogynistic-era, honesty, love, childhood-trauma, child, dog, 1950s, 1960s, chemist, assault, ... READ MORE
6 ⭐️ Review
6 ⭐️( I’m starting a thing)
This debut book is probably one of the best books I have read in the last few years . It completely resonated with me and I ... READ MORE
The book I could not put down
A Lesson in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Goodreads review
I got A Lesson in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus for free from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.... READ MORE
A great read
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus took me back to the dark days of the 1950’s when women were virtually 2nd class citizens and expected to fetch and ca... READ MORE
Book of the Year 2022
I feel very privileged to have been sent an ARC of Lessons In Chemistry to read and have been absolutely blown away by the writing and the story. This was ... READ MORE
Top of the class
This gave me my reading mojo back!! After two books I really didn't enjoy I ventured into the reading class for some Lessons In Chemistry....and so glad I... READ MORE
You can take the woman out of the labartory but you can't take the scientist out of the woman
Elizabeth Zott is a research chemist. Or at least, she would be if this wasn't America in the early 1960s. So, because she's a single mother with a child t... READ MORE
An absolute must-read.
Empowering and inspiring, Elizabeth Zott goes up against the inequality of society and science of the 1950s. It's an absolute must-read. I found myself nod... READ MORE
Disappointingly dull
Elizabeth Zott is beautiful and intelligent, she is an unmarried mother and atheist with her own very popular TV cooking show in the 1960s…despite the 0% c... READ MORE
A brilliant book that everyone will love.
I wish Elizabeth Zott was real so that I could watch her scientific cooking show. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is set in 1960s America and and the... READ MORE
Original
In 'Lessons in Chemistry' Bonnie Garmus takes us to 1960’s America as we join the staff at Hastings Research Institute. We meet Elizabeth Zott and learn o... READ MORE
Truly delightful
What a delightful story! Elizabeth Zott is a woman decades ahead of her time. She is very smart and knows it. She has absolute confidence in herself and he... READ MORE
Elements
Elizabeth Zott, Calvin and their daughter Madeline (Mad), what a trio to be reckoned with. With their scientific background they see the formula, calculati... READ MORE
Unique and refreshing
What a refreshing, unique and truly feminist novel without being over heavy! I absolutely adored this book and I am so glad I managed to get the limited ed... READ MORE
Beautiful whammy of a book!
Lively, intelligent, humorous, beautifully conceived, researched, written, paced, executed. Sharp, insightful, uplifting. What's wrong with this book? Abs... READ MORE
Fantastic
I loved this book. It was heart warming, heart breaking and very realistic about how women in science have been/are treated in relation to their male count... READ MORE
Lessons in Chemistry
Absolutely loved this book. It is the best book of the year so far. Funny, witty, feministic, thought provoking, brings out some serious issues that wom... READ MORE
A joyful, clever, inspiring novel!
Meet Elizabeth Zott, my new favourite female character. Set in California in the 1960s,
Superb
If I was a scientist – and I am VERY much not a scientist – I would leave here the compound symbols for perfection. Alas I have to find words instead, and ... READ MORE
Recommended
In 'Lessons in Chemistry' Bonnie Garmus takes us to 1960’s America as we join the staff at Hastings Research Institute. We meet Elizabeth Zott and learn o... READ MORE
Fantastic Story of a Strong Woman
This was a surprising, funny and heartfelt story. I’m so glad I got to read it!
Elizabeth Zott is a person that doesn’t fit in, she can’t be put into any s... READ MORE
Life lessons as well as chemistry
I really enjoyed this book and found Elizabeth an amazing role model considering the time and place. She kept calm and used logic which really frustrated t... READ MORE
Interesting
I’ve heard so much about this book so was really excited to get ARC from NetGalley and Random House in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is a hi... READ MORE
Just fabulous!
Elizabeth Zott is a woman with a brilliant mind but she is also a woman living in the 1960s and no one is listening to her. No one, that is, until Calvin E... READ MORE
Awesome
Elizabeth Zott is by no means your average woman. Elizabeth Zott is discriminated against in 1960s America because she dares to be a woman and a chemist. N... READ MORE
Delightful, Delicious, Delectable!
I’m not sure there are enough superlatives in the world to fully do this novel justice!
Elizabeth Zott is a chemist; she is very serious about chemistry. ... READ MORE
The right chemistry
What a joy this is, clever, funny, thoughtful and life-affirming. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist, a scientist who is many decades ahead of 1960’s society in t... READ MORE
Fantastic!
historical-novel, historical-research, history-and-culture, misogynistic-era, honesty, love, childhood-trauma, child, dog, 1950s, 1960s, chemist, assault, ... READ MORE
A brilliant story of how one woman's fight for her place in a man's world inspires a nation's women
"Positive, happy and upbeat" - that's not Elizabeth Zoff. Instead, the single mother scientist's passion for her research and dogged determination to be tr... READ MORE
A must read
I started this book and couldn’t put it down I was so caught up in the story! I laughed, cried and cheered on the main characters in the book. I didn’t wan... READ MORE
An original debut with an unforgettable cast of characters
Oh how I loved Lessons in Chemistry, and oh how I loved Elizabeth Zott - and so too will the rest of the world when they meet her on publication day.
Less... READ MORE
Fantastic read
really enjoyed this book, kept me entertained throughout with some funny and sad moments. Loved how this book was written although there are elements of ch... READ MORE
Absorbing fun read that underlines the resilience of women
Elizabeth Zott’s fascinating career and personal life story is accompanied by 6.30, her daughter, the tall chemist who becomes the love of her life and ot... READ MORE
A lesson for us all
Not just a lesson in Chemistry, but a lesson in humanity, character, integrity, faith, determination and love. An absolutely fantastic debut novel from Bon... READ MORE
Zott is my new hero
Every aspect of this book, in my opinion, was perfect- an engaging and realistic storyline, with (unfortunately) relatable themes. I loved every momemt of ... READ MORE
Favourite read of 2022!
A book that’s funny, tender and sad whilst still carrying a serious message about the role of women in society.
Set in the 1960’s, this bittersweet stor... READ MORE
Great read
Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 60s, when women were not expected to be equal or better than men. After becoming a mother, she almost accidentally start... READ MORE
A must-read! I’ve been recommending it to everyone I meet!
Such an incredible book! Witty, joyful, emotional, touching and inspiring. I was totally immersed from the second I picked it up and I didn’t want it to en... READ MORE
A joy to read - funny feminist fiction
Elizabeth Zott is a brilliant chemist, but it's the 1960s and she's constantly under-estimated. Women in chemistry departments are there to be secretaries,... READ MORE
Quirky but also serious
Elizabeth Zott's daughter, Mad, knows not to let on that she can read at kindergarten and that her dog, six thirty has a vocabulary of over 600 words she k... READ MORE
One of my favourites of the year!
Elizabeth Zott is an unconventional female scientist in the early 1960s. But how did she end up presenting a prime-time cookery show and can she really cha... READ MORE
The most powerful book I’ve read lately; real and without tabus, brilliant.
The most powerful book I’ve read lately; real and without tabus, brilliant.
I’ll admit that I was intrigued with this book, I really didn’t know much about... READ MORE
The story is funny and moving, a must read.
This is the story of Elizabeth Zott, who complained about sex discrimination before such a concept was widely known, and always tended to see things logica... READ MORE
Absolutely awesome
Elizabeth Zott is by no means your average woman. Elizabeth Zott is discriminated against in 1960s America because she dares to be a woman and a chemist. N... READ MORE
Wonderful book
I absolutely loved this book, it is unique, original, truly refreshing and is one of my favourite books.
Firstly, Elizabeth Zott, what a woman, a true p... READ MORE
An absolute delight
Thank you, thank you to Doubleday for giving me an ARC of this simply wonderful book. It’s the story of chemist, Elizabeth Zott as she navigates her way th... READ MORE
Witty and wise
Sometimes you know after one page that a book is just right for you. That's what I had with this excellent debut novel. The main character Elizabeth Zott i... READ MORE
Original, clever and so enjoyable.
This book is a triumph! It is such a very unusual story, like nothing I’ve ever read before, and is actually quite difficult to review, as it does not fit ... READ MORE
A wonderful piece of story-telling
I chose this book because, (as I trained as a chemist), the title interested me. To be clear, I did not expect it to be about chemistry, and - if my friend... READ MORE
Pure joy to read
Brilliantly entertaining.
This is a book that although written in the past, is definitely still for the modern ages.
Taking a look at gender equa... READ MORE
Rush out to buy this. Book of the Year 2022
Really no words I write can do justice to this excellent book which I wish had been out when I was 18-20 (30 years ago). It is a plain honest look at sex... READ MORE
Lessons in Chemistry
One of the best debut novels I've read recently is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus which is based on an incredible fictional female character called ... READ MORE
Excellent
Elizabeth Zott's daughter, Mad, knows not to let on that she can read at kindergarten and that her dog, six thirty has a vocabulary of over 600 words she k... READ MORE
A brilliant and deeply insightful read
Elizabeth Zott is a breath-takingingly awesome character and Lessons in Chemistry is an outstanding read.
Set in 1960's America, Elizabeth is a research ... READ MORE
Highly recommend this 5* read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnie Garmus and her publisher for an advance reading copy of this delightful book.
"Lessons in Chemistry" is well in the running... READ MORE
A wonderful read
Encore, Encore, I need more of this. It is an incredible story. If you like different, this is for you. If you like excellent writing, this is for you. I w... READ MORE
Sublime!
I read about Lessons in Chemistry on a book mailing list a while back and instantly put it on my Want to Read list. I then applied for a copy on Netgalley,... READ MORE
Brilliant story, well told, every woman out there will relate to this
This could just as easily be called lessons in life. Funny and sad, a picture of small town prejudices and larger than life characters ( including a dog) c... READ MORE
Fabulously funny but thought-provoking!
uch a fabulous, funny and thought-provoking book! I couldn't put it down and it had me laughing out loud one minute and aching with Elizabeth's pain the n... READ MORE
Wonderful, rage-inducing but ultimately uplifting
What an absolute joy Lessons in Chemistry was to read! I'm confidently expecting that it will become the feel-good hit of the season.
That said, it's not ... READ MORE
Heartwarming, intelligent and funny.
Sometimes you come across a book that you just love from the outset. This is one of those books!
A fantastic debut novel that is sure to be a hit and one ... READ MORE
lessons in chemistry
one of the best books I've ever read
kind of disappointed me
What I liked the most about this book was the feminist aspect of it, how the main character goes against all odds to make her way and defy everyone in the ... READ MORE
Okay but not engaging enough
I didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted to. The main character Elizabeth isn’t a very likeable person and I just didn’t care enough about her to want to kn... READ MORE
thoroughly enjoyed!
i have seen a variety of reviews on here. this book was ultimately was got me out of a reading slump. i actually felt empty for a while after i finished it... READ MORE
Fresh and witty
I am thoroughly enjoying reading Lessons in Chemistry. The writing is fresh and witty. There is light and shade, as well as sardonic humour directed toward... READ MORE
Such a great book
What a great book. Elizabeth Zott is a great character - a feminist in every sense of the word. I loved her actions, reactions and her attempts at beating ... READ MORE
Read this!!
***** 5 Stars!!!
Where to start!! What an amazing book….
It’s 1952, women marry, have children and stay at home, men are the decision makers and 100% in... READ MORE
This book is enjoyable from the very first sentence...
What a story! I gobbled up this book in one day due to the charm that radiates from this book.It was a pure joy to read and it isn't often that I get compl... READ MORE
I have smiled, laughed and cried through this book
Wow oh wow absolutely loved this book. Not normally into books set in the past but I have smiled, laughed and cried my way through this book. The attitudes... READ MORE
Don't be a stereotype
Elizabeth is bold and headstrong, who is out of place in a man's world in the 1960s. When fate intervenes and pushes her to Calvin another unpopular chemis... READ MORE
Joyful
I really enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry, a full-on historical feminist tale of love, cooking and (of course) chemistry. Great fun, and I think almost everyon... READ MORE
Great read
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book took a little while to get into but stick with it... READ MORE
A joy to read and a call to recommit to social justice.
Elizabeth Zott is a woman out of time. She is a career scientist, atheist and feminist BUT she is living in 1950s America, where none of these things are a... READ MORE
Wonderful characters
What a great read! I loved this book and everyone in it. (bar a few), and for a debut!!! Wow!
There is a lot of love for this book on Instagram and rightl... READ MORE
I adored it
I adore this book! Elizabeth Zott is a superb character who will find her way into your heart.
Elizabeth Zott is a chemist and doesn’t understand why the... READ MORE
Just wonderful
This book is just wonderful-I was sorry to finish it.The character of Elizabeth Zott will stay with me for a long time.She’s fabulous for so many reasons.
... READ MORE
Fantastic and Original Debut
A fantastic 4.5*. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is an incredible debut with zing and a massive heart. A book that is getting a lot of chatter and i... READ MORE
A wonderful book - would highly recommend
I started reading “Lessons in Chemistry” before it was published and while reading, I had several emails from various book sellers promoting and heaping pr... READ MORE
Believe the hype - it is that good
America in the early 1960s and women are solely on Earth to keep house and family running. Unfortunately Elizabeth Zott doesn't believe that premise, she ... READ MORE
Witty, clever, quirky debut
Thanks to NetGalley & Doubleday Books for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.
This novel, a debut no less, was all over... READ MORE
‘Your ability to change everything- including yourself - starts here.’
I absolutely loved this book. I’d seen marketing for Lessons In Chemistry everywhere so when I saw it in store I picked it up out of curiosity more than an... READ MORE
Let's get started
I loved this book. Everything I picked it up I felt instantly happier. The book covers some dark issues but the humour and warmth radiates on every page. T... READ MORE
A triumph
“What I love about rowing […] is that it’s always done backwards. It’s almost as if the sport itself is trying to teach us to not get ahead of ourselves.”
... READ MORE
Great fun book full of superb characters
Loved this book. Set before my time but I can imagine it. The characters were superb and a great story of the main Character Elizabeth Zott a chemist and... READ MORE
A funny, empowering and different story
For once I didn't put down a book I couldn't get into right away. I thought about all the rave reviews I've read and hoped it would be better. It certainly... READ MORE
Do read this
With so many enthusiastic reviews, it is hard to start this book without preconceptions but do try. As I read the first few pages I found that it wasn’t ... READ MORE
Stunning!
I don’t even know where to start trying to explain how good this book is. One of the best books I’ve read for so long and I feel bereft now I’ve finished i... READ MORE
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is an extremely accomplished book based on a 1960’s scientist, Elizabeth Zott. It is a fascinating read and I was so... READ MORE
Charming, easy read
Didn’t quite know what to expect but found myself unable to put it down. A really fun little read.
Brilliant thought provoking
I loved this book, I’d heard such good things about it I thought I might be disappointed, but that was not the case. It made me laugh and cry. I thought El... READ MORE
Best book of 2022, so far!
Best book of 2022….. so far!
It’s taken me til the following day to be able to formulate how I wanted to write about how I feel about this book.
Bonnie G... READ MORE
This book is EVERYTHING!
This book is EVERYTHING! I’m so glad I took it on holiday with me as I loved every word of it. As you can see, it is looking a little worse for the wear, a... READ MORE
Fantastic read
A gripping read from start to finish, well worth picking up for any book fan.
Most amazing read of 2022
As a woman scientist if never a fan of chemistry (sorry to all chemists!), I approached this with slight hesitation but was hooked from first page. What an... READ MORE
A wonderfully strong female character.
This is an inspiring story amusingly told with pace and panache. Elizabeth Zott will have you cheering her on at every stage of her battles with male igno... READ MORE
Entertaining, uplifting & a joy to read
I was given Lessons in Chemistry for Christmas 2022 & started reading it very shortly afterwards despite having lots of other things I should have been doi... READ MORE
Truly brilliant!
I absolutely LOVED this and read it in two sittings! Totally captivating and funny throughout. I recommend it to everyone!
Loved It
Really enjoyed this book. Great concept
Why did I wait so long to read this?!
I loved this - every page of it. And to think I’d held off reading it because everyone was saying how good it was (I don’t even understand my own logic som... READ MORE
ROSE GRAHAM
I loved this book. It contained so much. The magnificent Elizabeth surviving in a man's world. The story brought out many emotions; tears one minute ... READ MORE
A masterpiece
I am utterly astonished that this is a debut novel because it is absolute perfection and I don’t know how author Bonnie Garmus can top it, but I solemnly s... READ MORE
A refreshing, delightful, funny and sad emotional rollercoaster. Wonderfully Written!
What a refreshingly delightful book and what a strong and vibrant character Elizabeth Zott is! I really didn't know what to expect from this book when I s... READ MORE
A wonderful read: delightful, hilarious and thought-provoking!
Lessons in Chemistry is an utterly delightful feelgood book that tackles serious issues with lots of humour. The magnificent main character, Elizabeth Zott... READ MORE
Lessons in Chemistry
It's 1961 and Elizabeth Zott has just started work as a presenter of a TV cookery show. She bitterly resents this as she is a chemist, thwarted by the inst... READ MORE
Lessons in How to Smash a Debut Novel!
Firstly thank you to netgalley and randomhouse for a copy of this advance.
What a debut Bonnie Garmus has graced us with - upon finishing I immediately pr... READ MORE
A fabulously quirky and funny read.
Elizabeth Zott is as strange as she is funny, I devoured this book and loved every moment. Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A wonderful read
I loved this book! At times I was angry, sad, laughing out loud or beaming with joy. The story very cleverly covers the discrimination and abuse that wome... READ MORE
Great read
This is absolute perfection. Wonderfully witty and dry humour adds to this poignant and sentimental story. The relationships are strong, the women even str... READ MORE
Brilliant
I read about Lessons in Chemistry on a book mailing list a while back and instantly put it on my Want to Read list. I then applied for a copy on Netgalley,... READ MORE
Fantastic debut
This was a really refreshing read, fizzing with originality and verve. Bonnie Garmus creates a truly likeable character in Elizabeth Zott, a 1960s chemist,... READ MORE
Full of heart and humour - an unforgettable read
From the very first page right to the final words of this book, I was totally absorbed, hooked by the story of Elizabeth Zott, Madeleine, Calvin Evans and ... READ MORE
Lessons in life
This could just as easily be called lessons in life. Funny and sad, a picture of small town prejudices and larger than life characters ( including a dog) c... READ MORE
A 5 star read!
What a brilliant and unusual book! I raced through this debut novel in less than a day, the world of 1950s America captured astutely by Bonnie Garmus. A lo... READ MORE
A potential book of the year and it's only March
Wow - if this book doesn't end up on my best of the year come December then 2022 is going to be the best book year ever!
From the start I loved Elizabeth... READ MORE
An absolute gem of a book
This book is an absolute joy a little gem that should be required reading for all young women
I read it with a great big grin on my face so grateful that ... READ MORE
An absolute gem of a book
This book is an absolute joy a little gem that should be required reading for all young women I read it with a great big grin on my face so grateful that a... READ MORE
Heartwarming, funny and intelligent.
Sometimes you come across a book that you just love from the outset. This is one of those books!
A fantastic debut novel that is sure to be a hit and one o... READ MORE
A gem!
Lessons in Chemistry is a quirky, funny and absolutely delightful read. It was different to anything else I have read lately and totally engaging. I believ... READ MORE
A Fabulous Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a story of how a woman chemist came to be a TV cookery star, and what happened after she did.
Elizabeth Zott is no... READ MORE
A must read!
After a bit of a slow start, this book was great. I loved the characters, the timeline and the way the main character Elizabeth pushed the boundaries of a ... READ MORE
Loved it!
With thanks to Netgalley for my arc. Loved this book with its unusual characters and wry humour. Very true depiction of how life was for women in the early... READ MORE
This is a quirky book
This is a quirky book but one that I took to immediately. Elizabeth Zott is a feminist from the word go and in 1960's male dominated society she is a force... READ MORE
Great insight into 1950's life for a woman
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance digital copy to read in exchange for an honest review. This book took a little while to get into bu... READ MORE
Top reading. My favourite book so far this year
Encore, Encore, I need more of this. It is an incredible story. If you like different, this is for you. If you like excellent writing, this is for you. I w... READ MORE
Fresh and original
Fabulous, original, full of life and very unexpected! Elizabeth is a force to be reckoned with in a world where everyone is labelled and conformity is the ... READ MORE
Brilliant
This is a brilliant book, I enjoyed it so much. Elizabeth Zott is a wonderful character, and very admirable in her determination and perseverance to live ... READ MORE
Add this to your TBR list immediately!
A book that’s funny, tender and sad whilst still carrying a serious message about the role of women in society.
Set in the 1960’s, this bittersweet sto... READ MORE
Fabulous
Lessons in Chemistry is a quirky, funny and absolutely delightful read. It was different to anything else I have read lately and totally engaging. I believ... READ MORE
A New Heroine for Women Everywhere
I received an advance copy of this from NetGalley, thanks for the opportunity.
This was a surprising, funny and heartfelt story. I’m so glad I got to rea... READ MORE
The formula for a great novel - a must-read book in 2022!
This book is going to be one of the hits of 2022, linking everyone’s least favourite subject Chemistry with social change, women’s rights and the best way ... READ MORE
An astonishing debut and characters you won’t forget
Lessons in Chemistry is Bonnie Garmus’ stellar debut. This book is an absolute force to behold; it is so very good and an easy 5 star.
Lessons in Chemistr... READ MORE
Loved this! Highly recommend
Trigger warning: rape, sexual abuse, death, suicide.
Lessons in Chemistry was thoroughly enjoyable. I loved the concept, with Elizabeth Zott leading t... READ MORE
A truly fantastic novel
This is a dream of a read. Elizabeth Zott is a feisty, independent woman; a talented chemist struggling for recognition in the male dominated laboratories ... READ MORE
Elizabeth Zott is a woman you need to sit up and pay attention to!
One of the the most anticipated books of 2022, I’d heard so many good things about Lessons in Chemistry by Bobbie Garmus that I was a little intimidated to... READ MORE
Novel set in 1960s CALIFORNIA
This novel is set in an era when women had their domestic lives carved out for them and men generally had the final say. Elizabeth Zott is having none of i... READ MORE
A real surprise
A book I had heard nothing about until 2 weeks before release, when I read about it I was intrigued, as this isn’t my usual type of read, but I absolutely ... READ MORE
Absolutely recommended!
This book is an absolute delight. Elizabeth Zott is such a refreshing character and so well written she completely comes to life. I loved all the main ch... READ MORE
Feminist fiction
I would rate this book at 3.5 ⭐️
I did really enjoy the story and the feminism throughout, the pacing was excellent and at no point fell flat but it just ... READ MORE
Recommend everyone to read
This book was really good. It was a well written book and the main character Elizabeth was relatable and very determination. Couldn’t put it down and was ... READ MORE
This book will make you angry sad joyful and amazed …read it
Just finished Lessons in Chemistry …what a journey …I m a woman , 71 , and more than aware of misogyny , sexism, and societal downgrading of women and the... READ MORE
Amazing read
Lessons in Chemistry manages to combine laugh- out- loud moments with incredibly poigniant scenes and still left room for moments of edge of the seat threa... READ MORE
Lessons for all of us
Science lessons at school were not generally enjoyable for me. Biology made me pass out whereas Physics made me cry out with frustration. I could understan... READ MORE
Lessons In Feminism
I loved this book so so so so much. Elizabeth Zott, Harriet & Madeline were all flawed characters that made me feel something unique. The book cover is sim... READ MORE
One of the best books I’ve ever read
I absolutely loved this book. I think about it often too. It was funny and meaningful all at the same time. Even brought a few tears at times. This is one ... READ MORE
Stick with it
This isn’t my usual genre, and I took me a good 50% or so to really appreciate how good this book is. But I am SO glad I stuck with it.
Elizabeth, despi... READ MORE
A good read
It’s definitely a book that you’ll need to take some short breaks due to its themes. It was a lot in some places but the feminist inside was rooting for he... READ MORE
A Good Read
This was a good work of fiction and raised some interesting points about equality and feminism in the time it was set. I also found it quite funny at parts... READ MORE
Definitely worth reading!
I really enjoyed this book. Her chemical approach to cooking was a new twist to me!
This is a must read!
I cannot begin to express how incredible this book is. I cried when I finished the book because I felt like I had lost a friend. The intelligence of the au... READ MORE
So much HEART
Absolutely incredible. Garmus has a way of writing characters that just pulls you into her book. For anyone debating picking this one up, you absolutely wi... READ MORE
A Lesson in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I loved this book, it brought to life the hardships of being an educated woman in the 1950s when trying to follow a career and faced with the sexist attitu... READ MORE
Love a complex female character
Absolutely loved reading this book! While it’s set in the 1960s, I found it so relevant to today’s society. I love that the main characters are flawed and ... READ MORE
A heart-warming Feminist tale full of hope
Protagonist Elizabeth Zott is straight-talking and determined to tell the truth at any cost. She fights to educate her ‘Supper at Six’ viewers, not only in... READ MORE
Bonnie Garmus - Lessons in Chemistry
Elizabeth Zott is a famous cooking show host in the 1960s. People love the way she beings cooking to their homes which is quite different from what everybo... READ MORE
Five stars all the way!
I don’t think anything I can say will do this book justice. I love it from beginning to end and it will most certainly be in my top five reads of 2021.
I... READ MORE
We need people like Elizabeth Zott
In these enlightened times it's hard to imagine a time when it was thought that women couldn't be scientists or anything else they wanted to be.
It's the 1... READ MORE
Fabulous book
Such a gorgeous book, I loved the story so much. Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman.
It's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings ... READ MORE
What a book! What a woman!
What a book! What a woman! Elizabeth Zott is an unforgettable protagonist, a magnificently forthright one, sure of her opinions and her feelings, and way a... READ MORE
wry take on women's role in 60s America
Im not sure this was "laugh out loud funny" as described by some reviewers but it was a wry and well written take on women's role in society in the early 6... READ MORE
Quirky novel about science and love
*I received a free preview copy of this book from NetGalley*
Lessons In Chemistry is a quirky read about a woman fighting the conventions of being an Amer... READ MORE
Excellent
Excellent read!! Well worth it!
cooking is just chemistry- so is love.
Absolutely loved this book!!!
Set in the 1960's, this book is about Elizabeth Zott, a chemist (but not a real one because she's a woman) and the discrimina... READ MORE
Empowering women all over
I was waiting for this book to come out on paperback, however I couldn’t wait any longer. Really enjoyed listening to this during my drive to work, there a... READ MORE
True feminist novel
It was such a unique story, nothing like I've ever read before! Makes you go through a rollercoaster of emotions along with Elizabeth Zott (the main charac... READ MORE
Such a great book - Elizabth Zott is amazing.
What a great book. Elizabeth Zott is a great character - a feminist in every sense of the word. I loved her actions, reactions and her attempts at beating ... READ MORE
An outstanding debut novel.
"Children, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself."
This novel is, in one word, phenomenal. A absolute dream debut novel for author Bonnie... READ MORE
A Fantastic Fun Read!
This is an unusual and fascinating book set in the 1950s to 60s that tells the terrible truth about sexism in those days in a witty and unusual way. The fe... READ MORE
Engaging, laugh-out-loud funny, sad, warming, exasperating and real!
Lessons in Chemistry is my favourite book of 2021 (even though it isn’t actually published until 2022) so far, and its first-place podium is so far above t... READ MORE
The 5 star-read you didn’t know you needed!!
“Imagine if all men took women seriously. Education would change. The workforce would revolutionize”
Wonderfully entertaining, and informative
This is a brilliant book, I enjoyed it so much. Elizabeth Zott is a wonderful character, and very admirable in her determination and perseverance to live ... READ MORE
Utterly wonderful!
Oh my! I LOVED this book. It was quirky, funny, heartbreaking, challenging, warm and so engaging. It was a story of equality, family, love, loss and being ... READ MORE
This will be a smash hit!
There is so much to say about this book, there's so much going on. Dark and brilliantly funny. Insightful and full of situation comedy. I've chosen to incl... READ MORE
Just Wow!
Just wow - where do I even start to explain how good this book is?Elizabeth Zott is a chemist and an unmarried mother living in the 1960’s.
When she loses... READ MORE
Moving, funny and empowering!
What a brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable read! Lessons in Chemistry has everything you want from a novel - it's moving, funny, and empowering. I can't wai... READ MORE
If I could give this book 20 stars, I would!
If I could give this book 20 stars, I would. It’s got the humour I loved from The Big Bang Theory mixed with a dose of smart feminist awesomeness that I ju... READ MORE
You’ll love it!
Loved the characters and the story, it was a great page-turner that kept me up until the wee hours. Couldn't recommend it enough!
Hooked from page 1
Absolutely incredible - it will please fans of The Rosie Project and Samin Nosrat, except that this book is just a few shades darker than all of that, and ... READ MORE
What a joy
What a joy this is, clever, funny, thoughtful and life-affirming. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist, a scientist who is many decades ahead of 1960’s society in t... READ MORE
Lessons in Chemistry
I loved this book, I loved the characters, Zoe and Calvin and above all the wonderful cookery lessons. The author deals brilliantly with the whole issue o... READ MORE
One of the books of 2022
Words cannot convey how much I adored this book. It's going to be a huge, huge hit when it's released next year. The way that Bonnie Gamus writes is faultl... READ MORE
Laughed out loud many times
Lessons is Chemistry is priceless.
I wish there was more than 5 stars.
I laughed out loud many times, I cheered Elizabeth on as she tries to change thin... READ MORE
A triumph of wonderful storytelling
This book is a triumph! It is such a very unusual story, like nothing I’ve ever read before, and is actually quite difficult to review, as it does not fit ... READ MORE
A fantastic read
Elizabeth Zott is as strange as she is funny, I devoured this book and loved every moment. Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brilliant, fast paced and lovable characters!
Elizabeth Zotts life is a struggle, she struggles to get taken seriously by any of the men in her field. Until she meets the surprising and enigmatic Calvi... READ MORE
You just HAVE to read this book!
The description and title of this book do not really do it justice. I will keep this short and simple. You just HAVE to read this book – it’ll make you l... READ MORE
Very odd, yet compelling with a dark humour
Elizabeth Zott has struggled against sexism all her life, she is a brilliant chemist but everyone from her college lecturers to her colleagues at Hastings ... READ MORE
Wonderful!
An absolutely brilliant debut novel! One that will definitely be in my top reads of 2022.
We are authentically transported back to the late 1950s, early 1... READ MORE
Fantastic read!!!
This story just blew my mind! It was a great story and I hope to read more from Bonnie Garmus!.
It begins in the 1960's with two intelligent odd balls who ... READ MORE
Fabulous! Not to be missed.
I will think about this book for a long time, including asking myself 'what would Elizabeth Zott do?' The story is inspiring, shocking, amusing and full of... READ MORE
Believe the hype (but watch your blood pressure!)
So many readers are raving about this book right now, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to add my voice in agreement and further confirm how fantastic it is... READ MORE
Observant, provoking and laugh out loud funny
Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman.
In fact, chemist Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s... READ MORE
Loved this book so much
I adored this book. Read it on holiday and didn't put it down until I was done. Makes you think about the great strides that have been made in the woman's ... READ MORE
Funny, moving and thought-provoking, this is a brilliant debut.
“… here she was, a single mother, the lead scientist on what had to be the most unscientific experiment of all time: the raising of another human being. Ev... READ MORE
Lessons in Life, Class dismissed!
Elizabeth Zott is a budding chemist crushed under the patriarchal lead academics that rule her life. Attached for being a scientist, a girlfriend, a mother... READ MORE
Classic
Amazing book
Good, not incredible
This book was a very interesting one for me. I like the concept and thought it would be a good one to read after hearing all of the positive reviews.
T... READ MORE
Caricature Characters
While I approached this book with anticipation, hoping for an enthralling read, I found myself disappointed in the end. The characters felt overly caricatu... READ MORE
LOVED IT!!
Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy... at first I thought I'm not sure this is something I want to read...
How wrong was I - this was BR... READ MORE
Wonderful character study of a woman who refuses to fit into boxes
“In short, the reduction of women to something less than men, and the elevation of men to something more than women, is not biological, it’s cultural. And ... READ MORE
An absolute delight!
This book is an absolute delight. Elizabeth Zott is such a refreshing character and so well written she completely comes to life. I loved all the main ch... READ MORE
Highly recommended
This is one of my top 5 books in 2022, a book that made me laugh/shout with rage/move to tears and a page turner I couldn't put it down.
It's the story of ... READ MORE
A wonderful uplifting novel set in 1950-60s California
‘For Elizabeth, cooking wasn’t some preordained feminine duty. As she’d told Calvin, cooking was chemistry. That’s because cooking actually is chemistry.’
... READ MORE
My book of 2022!
I’ve seen a lot of hype about this book and I’ve been meaning to read it so when my book group chose it for their June read I was rather pleased.
Rarely do... READ MORE
The battle is worth it.
This is not an easy book to read. Oh, it's wonderfully written: the writer is master of her craft, with believably human characters occupying a recognisabl... READ MORE
You will laugh and you will cry - a brilliant read!
Elizabeth Zott is a woman with a brilliant mind but she is also a woman living in the 1960s and no one is listening to her. No one, that is, until Calvin E... READ MORE
Brilliant read
I loved “lessons in chemistry” . I lurched from being enraged at Elizabeth’s treatment, to amusement, frustration, sadness. It is a brilliant read. Very en... READ MORE
A character grabbing book.
I loved the book. I fell in love with Elizabeth, her quirks, courage, determination. The story unravelled through various points of views of the characters... READ MORE
A fabulous, funny and thought-provoking book!
Such a fabulous, funny and thought-provoking book! I couldn't put it down and it had me laughing out loud one minute and aching with Elizabeth's pain the ... READ MORE
One of the best books I've read in a long time
Brilliant, haven't read a book like it! I particularly like how strong the misogyny is, so strong that you can see how ridiculous the prejudice is, even in... READ MORE
A character study of a woman who refuses to fit into boxes
“In short, the reduction of women to something less than men, and the elevation of men to something more than women, is not biological, it’s cultural. And ... READ MORE
A fabulous read
Wow, what a fabulous book! I loved every word.
It’s fabulously quirky and unique and the characters are intriguing.
I had a huge emotional attachment t... READ MORE
An amazing must read debut!
I don’t think anything I can say will do this book justice. I love it from beginning to end and it will most certainly be in my top five reads of 2022.
... READ MORE
Such an engaging read
I dare you not to fall in love with the richly drawn main character. She's an icon ahead of her time, a powerhouse of new thought and ideas and I loved thi... READ MORE
You HAVE to!!!
The description and title of this book do not really do it justice. I will keep this short and simple. You just HAVE to read this book – it’ll make you l... READ MORE
Book Hangover Alert!
I loved this book and its characters so much that it's going to take a wee while to get over it.
Synopsis (heads up, don't read too much about this book b... READ MORE
Simply brilliant!
Oh my! I LOVED this book. It was quirky, funny, heartbreaking, challenging, warm and so engaging. It was a story of equality, family, love, loss and being ... READ MORE
Absolutely thrilling from first to last page
This book will take you on a rollercoaster ride full of tears, laughs, worry and delight that you’ll find yourself so much wiser and happier once you have ... READ MORE
A true gripper
As most readers do, they read the book then - if there is one - they watch a film/show. However as I had the chance I compared them as I went a long and da... READ MORE
Amazing
Loved this book- made me gasp, laugh and cry out loud. Elizabeth’s story and struggle as a woman in a male dominated field and in society as a whole was gu... READ MORE
Don’t let the reviews change your mind
About a year ago, I had it on my list and I took it off because I read a bad review (I know I was swayed so easily!). It was recommended to me an awful lot... READ MORE
Fabulous
I initially wasn't interested in reading this book. I had seen they had made a TV show and wasn't really invested. My friend is in a book club and this was... READ MORE
The most wonderful book
This story had me captivated from the first page and i consumed this in less than a week. I am a very slow reader who often has to read a page twice! Such ... READ MORE
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