In Focus

This month’s book club book was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

I devoured this book. Still recovering from pneumonia, my inability to do too much physically on Sunday left me pretty stationary, so I started reading. I read most of the day and didn’t want to put this book down. 

The story is set in the 1950s and follows Chemist Elizabeth Zott through her life and career. While the premise doesn’t sound very interesting, the way the story is told is captivating. 

It was a harsh reminder of how women were treated during that time. They were supposed to stay home, have kids, and never question a man’s authority. I was angry at the way she was treated just because she was a woman. While I’m glad it’s not as bad today, sexism still exists, and it shouldn’t. Not all men, but some, can’t handle a woman being more intelligent or making more money and I think they are intimidated and find ways to bring a woman down, including it leading to sexual assault sometimes which makes them feel superior.

It was bad enough during that time for a woman to even get a decent job, especially in a more distinguished field such as science. Elizabeth was trying to do that while being brought down by those around her who felt superior because they were men. The crap they pulled on her would land them in court or jail in this day and age. Back then it was the norm, and the cops blamed the women. The unfairness and harassment she endured drove me crazy. 

Despite the constant harassment, she kept a cool head. She was unique and didn’t follow society’s norms, and I enjoyed that about her. Even her relationship, which would be considered normal today, was entirely unconventional for the time. Unwed couples didn’t live together back then. 

After a terrible accident, she was fired from her job and resorted to finding ways to survive while caring for a child. She was pretty creative. She made friends with a neighbor who was in a terrible relationship. Of course, couples back then didn’t get divorced. The neighbor helped watch Elizabeth’s child, who turned out to be very intelligent.

Elizabeth noticed her daughter was giving her lunch to another student. She approached the student’s father, a TV executive. The executive who learned of Elizabeth’s cooking skills offered her a job doing a cooking show. She accepted, as cooking and chemistry are one and the same. The show was unconventional, and it petrified the executive. Elizabeth would cook meals, explaining the chemistry happening, and it captivated and empowered female audiences. 

The ending was something else. It was good, perhaps a little cliche, but overall good. I felt like it was a well-rounded story with no loose ends, which is always satisfying. 

I absolutely loved this book—10/10, and I would recommend it! You don’t have to understand science to love this book. 

The next book is Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. I remember the movie being a little trippy; I have high hopes for this one.