"Lessons In Chemistry", By Bonnie Garmus

 9/18/2023

Lessons In Chemistry, By Bonnie Garmus is my latest read.  

I finished listening to this book this morning on my ride to work. It's a book that is scheduled to be released on Apple+ as a limited series on October 13, 2023.  I am both very excites and very upset about this.  Excited because the trailer looks really good and true to the book, the cast is great, and the book was excellent.  Very upset because I do not have an Apple+ subscription.

Lessons In Chemistry is a novel about the character Elizabeth Zott.  Elizabeth Zott is a scientist.  The problem is, she's a scientist in the 1950s/1960s, when the novel takes place. For those who's heads have been in the sand, life was infinitely worse for women in the 1950s and 60s.  Career related opportunities that allowed for upward mobility and an upward trajectory were scarce, as were the types of careers women were "allowed" to have.  As challenging as it is to be a woman today, the opportunities and autonomy afforded are vast compared to 70+ years ago.

As with most of my Gen X generation, I approach bestsellers lists, or anything popular for that matter, with a hefty dose of skepticism. I think its the contrarian in me. But, as usual (though not always), my skepticism regarding best selling novels was proven unfounded.  There's a reason this book is on the bestseller list and that there's a TV show being released portraying its fascinating main character and plot.  This book, in my opinion, is a must read/listen to.  The character, plot and subject matter are expertly wielded by the pen of Ms. Garmus. Much like the novel, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, it's hard to believe this is a debut novel; but it is.

I know no one is asking, but I'm recommending reading this book.  It's a great read and a wonderful addition to any home library.

PS: I would like to add that I listened to an interview with the author after finishing the book. Ms. Garmus initially wrote Elizabeth Zott as a peripheral character in a book that she eventually scraped. Later she was sitting at her table, getting ready to write, when she felt a presence. She said it was Elizabeth Zott. She wrote the first chapter in one sitting then and there.

I've read of other writers having similar experiences. Arthur Conan Doyle saw Sherlock Holmes standing in his kitchen smiling at him. Conan Doyle fainted, and when he came to, wrote "The Hound of the Baskervilles", which was the first story published after he killed off his famous character at the Richenbach (sp?) Falls. Anne Rice spoke of hearing Lestat whisper to her that it was time for a new story of his to tell. I find it fascinating that this is an experience for some writers and the characters they create. Perhaps "channel" is a better term. Perhaps Elizabeth Zott, Sherlock Holmes, and Lestat all exist in some parallel universes and the writers are merely mediums for their stories. I believe Ray Bradbury has a short story of something of that kind. Anyway, fun, strange and fascinating things to ponder!

Goodreads Synopsis:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58065033-lessons-in-chemistry