Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover: Lessons in Chemistry Review

 

Lessons in Chemistry

By Bonnie Garmus

Wow! After finishing Lessons in Chemistry. No words can express my enthusiasm. I'm gushing at this book. I read the kindle version. I can't wait for the paperback to come out. This book is a keeper for me.  I have a funny feeling it won't be awhile since the book is very, very, hot right now. I mean red hot! The book is being adapted for Apple TV. 

I didn't expect to love Lessons in Chemistry at all judging by it's cover. If you don't usually read Chick-lit or what is called Rom-Com. Which I don't know what the difference is really. Then if you are like me you read literary fiction, women's fiction then I assume you would do the same. Pass on by so many times seeing the cover and keep walking. Does the book call you? Speak to you? It did none of those things to me. Until I was forced to break down for my book club this month. Why, oh Why did it take me this long. NOW, I UNDERSTAND! But, why oh why did the publisher pick the artwork and cover to look this way! The author even had input and the publishers never listened. They didn't listen. Wrong choice, Penguin Random House. Look at the other countries book covers. All of them look a bit more appealing to me: 

I choose the British cover if I was the publisher. The other ones look a bit sexist. What was Random House thinking? I just had to get it off my chest. I pretty much think the publishers have lost sales because of their decision not using a less sexist cover( Pink), and Rom-Com type cover. I hope they learned their lesson. The author is traveling around the country doing extra work to change minds. The book has been rated the best book of the year by Barnes and Noble. I can see why after reading Lessons in Chemistry.  I have inserted Bonnie's conversation at an event at Barnes and Noble. 

                                                 

I read Lessons in Chemistry for this month's book club in March. I kept putting it off. Even though I bought the digital version. I was extremely offended by the publishers using this cover art work. I like the pencil and the hair because I can remember women doing it all the time. I think the reason to use the cover was not to judge her by her beautiful looks but her smarts. I don't know if it would have made a difference. It is what it is.  There is so much talk about the cover. It's unbelievable. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. This just takes away from the book discussion. What the meat and potatoes of the book is about. 

There are many people who love it. There are some who hate it. I am wondering if age has something to do with it. People my age in my 60's appreciate the book. We remember what it was like in the 60's and 70's. Actually for me I was too young to understand what was going on. I wasn't into current events, or news. My family didn't talk politics much. But, I remember what the culture and what things were like as a young girl, and teenager. What was acceptable and not acceptable as a girl/women. 

• Women couldn't have a credit card without husband's permission.
• Women were fired or let go if they were pregnant.
• Science/ law education was rarely allowed. Except nursing, or teaching fields.
• Women couldn't get a managerial position
• Domestic abuse
• Men didn't do any housework or taking care of the kids. 
• Being at home when the husband arrived
• Cooking, shopping, taking care of the household
• Husband only worked- It was unacceptable for women to be anywhere else but home. 
• Women didn't go to college( it was rare of women to be educated)
• Wife didn't not take care of the finances.

That all changed after it became difficult for only one income in the family household after the 1970's and the feminist movement changed  the work force. But not for our heroine of the story, Ms. Zott. 

 Elizabeth is a bit different than most people. She doesn't accept it. 

 it's only a man's world at Hasting Institute. She is a scientist, and of all things a woman. It doesn't sit very well with everyone who works at Hastings.  She is the only woman, a scientist.

 That is not good enough for her, though. One day Calvin Evans comes into her department and fiddles around. Tells her she is taking some beakers from her department. Which of course she questions. And is not happy with someone coming in her department and picking and choosing her inventory. She doesn't realize he is the famous scientist, Calvin Evans.

He wants to do something to make it up to her. But he doesn't know how. Incidentally, which I can't recall if he purposely went to the same movie theatre and Elizabeth. But, they did come separately and alone without each other. Though, Calvin sees Elizabeth and so excited. Unfortunely he becomes ill, and sick to his stomach.  He throws up in front of her. She takes pity on him.

They strike up a friendship which eventually turns into something entirely then both of them expected. They both fall in love and move in with each other. Elizabeth tells Calvin the wrongs of the in the working world especially science as a woman. He is dumbfounded and can't believe what he hears.  He supports her and cheers her on constantly. Without her knowledge he helps her get funding for her research which she is unaware of. 

Both Calvin and Elizabeth have hard and difficult upbringing. Elizabeth was going to a ivy league college until a professor attacked her. Of course she was the one who got the raw end of the stick. She couldn't get back into the school. Instead she taught her self.( one of the parts of the novel wasn't realistic).  Instead going into her undergraduate work she jumps ahead and has received her Master's degree. 

They become closer learning about each other's unhappy upbringing. While Calvin's parents were killed and was giving to his Aunt. He lived with her until she was killed. Then he was given to a home. The one thing Elizabeth never wanted, children. This part will be important information to remember. You will understand why. 

In the short time they had with one another. Unfortunately Calvin is killed when he is taking his dog for a walk, 6:30. He is killed by a car. 6:30, the dog makes the book so adorable, and fun to read. Everyone will cheer for 6:30. He makes the novel very interesting. 

After Calvin's funeral Elizabeth learns her job is in jeopardy. Everyone treats her differently know that Calvin has died. While Calvin was alive he was backing her up in support to her boss. Now, he is gone there is no one to support her and she is fired. Because she is pregnant.  But this is only an excuse. They never liked her as a scientist. The scientist all men felt threatened. They were all happy and relieved she was let go. During the 50's and 60's you couldn't work while you were pregnant. I don't want to tell you too much else. Or I will ruin it for you. 

I loved the book. I was so surprised and I don't know what I was expecting. But, it was better than I expected. The book was a reaffirmation of what women went through. Even though I was to young to understanding it.

 I always heard about it in the news. I graduated college in nursing in the 1980's. So I didn't go through many of the problems women were going through in science or the business world. Or didn't realize it in the hospital when I was a nurse. Perhaps the reason was it was a women's field. If I worked in a field that was dominated by men. I would have noticed. I am sure we as nurses were discriminated. Nurses were made fun of on TV. Doctors treated nurses as servants. But because it was dominated by women we didn't realize it the same way.

Now, I think back on the things that were said and done in passing in life. We always felt it was just the way it is. These women now in 2023 has changed the way women are treated thank goodness. Never thought things would change. When I heard about the Weinstein case. I thought this has been going on for years. I am so glad something has changed( Me Too).  These young women speak up, Thank you for speaking for all of the ladies. But, it is the back of us older women and what we accomplished that you persevere and continue the fight. 

I love the idea of cooking and chemistry come together in the novel. Which is actually true. If you read any of the new cookbooks there is many reactions that happen while cooking and baking. But this is not the entire reason of the mix of cooking and chemistry for the novel.

 Elizabeth gets a job because of her neighbor. Its a cooking show, Supper at Six. Her neighbor though asks her to conform to the producer's wishes of course Elizabeth can't do it. Instead she is attempting to reach her audiences who she knows are mostly housewives. Who sit home and sit pretty in the kitchen take care of the kids and don't think for themselves. She wants to educate the audience to connect with them to have a mind and think about the science.  "That's why I wanted to use Supper at six to teach chemistry."

When women understand chemistry they begin to understand how things work. When atoms and molecules. The real world govern the physical world and when women understand the basics. They can see the false limits that have been created before them.

Chemistry is the root of change where chemistry is always changing from reactions over and over again. "Change is what we were chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, pledge don't hold back." Despite what Elizabeth Zott will tell you, Supper at Six is not just a introduction to chemistry, he wrote that day on the plane. It's a thirty minute five day a week lesson in life. And not in who we are or what we're made of, but rather who we are capable of becoming."

There is many quotes about chemistry and their reactions of chemistry in cooking for example making brownies. " Brownies are best when made from either a high quality cocoa powder or unsweetened backing chocolate. It contains a high level of ployphenols, which as you know are reducing agents that protect the body against oxidative.."  Who knew?? Then there is the example of the skin of the baked potato. I am not going to go into it. You can read it when you are ready. 

This is to give an example. There is many chemistry equations in the book many non-chemistry women out there who will not understand. But will learn while reading, lol! which makes it fun in the novel. Which I am a science nerd anyway so I love it. There are so many snide remarks made by Elizabeth. But, lots and lots of humor. Which I don't ever laugh in many humorous novels. So the book has to be funny. 

Elizabeth gives birth to Madeline, or Mad or Maddy as she is known after she is born. She is a trip and so whip smart beyond her years. Her teacher doesn't know what to make of her. Mad doesn't understand why her mother takes the job. The cooking show which she feels is beneath her Mom. Eventually though things change... 

I am sure this happens in reality to children watching their mothers.  Especially now. Their daughters I can see them questioning their mother's occupation. What its like working at their specific job. What are their bosses like. Do they get paid fairly to give one example. Many mothers want their daughters to see them as a good example. For their daughters to see their mother's as strong women and not to take no for an answer. 

In closing I am sure you realized I loved the book, Lessons in Chemistry. Every young woman should pick up a copy. This book is multi-generational for women. For what women have fought for and continue the fight with the young women. But, also life lessons for men to understand what their mother's have gone through. What their sisters, and girlfriends, and wives still need to accomplish. And some day break the glass ceiling. The book is wonderful novel to talk about women's issues this month. Since it is Women's History Month. 

I will say the best part is the ending. With someone getting what they deserve, Y-E-S! This is one novel I am happy for all the string were tied and knotted together. I usually don't like a novel that gives us ending. 

The book is tightly woven and continues that way to the very last word. I am so glad I read the book. It is a page turner and keep you turning the pages.  I wish it didn't end. I loved all the quirky characters... Especially, Six Thirty. Who actually talks back. That part gave the book magic. The most delicious book I have ever read. I had an adult daughter I would run to the store and buy her a copy. But, I don't I have a son instead. My excuse he is not a reader. But, he doesn't know what he is missing, ha, ha, ha! 

I give it 5 bagels, and teacups.