"Fizzing with feminist humour and romance, this radiant, life-affirming novel sees a brilliant chemist and single mother switch to presenting a hit TV cooking show that challenges 1960s social norms."
“Once a research chemist, Elizabeth Zott was a woman with flawless skin and an unmistakable demeanour of someone who was not average and never would be”. So we are introduced to gloriously unconventional Elizabeth near the opening of Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry, an enchanting, uproariously witty novel that I cannot recommend highly enough — think a funny, feminist Mad Men set in the world of science, in a “patriarchal society founded on the idea that women were less. Less capable. Less intelligent”.
With her doctoral career cut short after daring to defend herself against the groping hands of a tutor, in 1951 Elizabeth is working as a chemistry researcher, surrounded by men who overlook her work and treat her with sexist disdain. One of her colleagues is Calvin, an introverted, socially awkward Nobel-prize nominated scientist with a penchant for holding grudges, which is one of the things Elizabeth first admires in him, for “Elizabeth Zott held grudges too”, especially against a society that all but forbade women to do anything of importance.
Elizabeth and Calvin strike up a sparring working relationship, start dating, and move in together — unmarried (the horror!). She suggests paying her share of the rent by cooking dinner, declaring that “Cooking is a serious science. In fact, it’s chemistry”. Meanwhile, while the unique chemistry between the couple is a delight to devour.
Some years later, Elizabeth finds herself single again, and a single mother to boot. And it’s through her daughter (specifically, the delicious, nutritious lunches she cooks for her) that she’s offered a slot on a TV cookery show. True to form, Elizabeth refuses to play ball with the producer, declaring that “There’s nothing average about the average housewife”, and using the show to deliver cracking advice: “Courage is the root of change…Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future”.
Guaranteed to have you roaring with laughter, weeping in empathy, and fist-pumping the sheer joy of Elizabeth’s indomitable spirit, Lessons in Chemistry is a revitalising, stirring triumph.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
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LIMITED FIRST PRINT RUN while stocks last - Discover this special hardback collector's limited edition of the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller.
THE 6-MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING BOOKAUTHOR OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS
Your ability to change everything - including yourself - starts hereChemist 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.
Lessons in Chemistry features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Book Club Recommendations, Debuts, Star Books, Family Drama, Humorous Fiction, Romance / Relationship Stories, Fiction: pastiche, Fiction: inspired by or adapted from other media, Feminism and feminist theory, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations, Fiction: special features, Gender studies: women and girls, Gender studies, gender groups, Social groups, communities and identities, Society and culture: general, Society and Social Sciences, Audiobooks of the Month, Books of the Month
Lessons in Chemistry is available in Hardback, Paperback, Ebook, Ebook (Epub), Audiobook
Lessons in Chemistry was written by Bonnie Garmus and published by Doubleday an imprint of Transworld Publishers Ltd
Lessons in Chemistry has 416 pages
£18.00
