Lessons In Chemistry: Would Elizabeth Zott Read This Book ?
By Mariam Nooristani
Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a compelling story about a struggling chemist named Elizabeth Zott. Zott, a fiercely independent individual, finds herself struggling in a man’s world. Zott is rational and struggles to change the status quo in the science and TV industry in the early nineteen sixties. Zott is easy to fall in love with on paper Zott is funny, zippy, and intelligent. Ultimately her characterization is overproduced.
The first seven chapters of the novel illustrate Elizabeth Zott as the archetypical trail-blazing pioneer, a Hollywood leading lady in the nineteen fifties and sixties. Lessons in Chemistry maintains the same type of witty dialogue and the brevity of speech found in movies like The Queens Gambit and other productions that depict that era.
Thankfully, the story begins to gain substance and texture as it introduces more sympathetic characters after chapter seven. Walter Pine, Harriet Sloane, Mad Zott, and the strange but sincere point of view of a dog called Six Thirty. These additional characters help shape an emotional point of view, adding warmth to the narrative.
After finishing the novel, a question formed that nagged for an answer. Would Elizabeth Zott, or the scientific rational-minded women she portrays read this book? The answer to this is most likely no. As a result of the narrative’s deadpan nature, topics like rape, sexism in the work place and domestic violence are addressed, confronted and sometimes glazed over with dry wit and neutrality this may be off putting to some readers.
The story is heartfelt and fun to read however, keep in mind that it is not a realistic depiction of how women process and recover after an assault, and it is not a comprehensive narrative on feminism. Instead, it gives us the story of one woman who survives in a man’s world with grace, strength, and humor. Lessons in Chemistry is a well-written and entertaining novel to read. It leaves you wanting more of Bonnie Gramus’ humor and storytelling with less made-for-TV book energy.
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