Lessons in Chemistry Review

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality.

–GoodReads

MY REVIEW

I would love to write a concise review and be a magically talented writer about this book. Instead you will listen to me pterodactyl screech in love and admiration. Possibly one of the best reads ever for me, I mean there are a lot of favorites and this is going on that fave shelf on GR but seriously, such a good read. And so surprising cause I was a bit hell bent on not reading it just because everyone was. I don’t do that on purpose, it’s just how I am lol.

The writing style is very attention grabbing to me, I went to read a couple of pages to see if I would be in the mood for it and just knew I was going to love it. It’s very whimsical despite all the scientific goodness of Elizabeth Zott. It has a great cast of characters and while yes there’s romance, it’s not the ‘focal point’ and the love, the devotion of that love is well done. That love is the basis of all and it reminded me of P.S. I Love you in the sense that we know the love is amazing, we are shown it, and the purpose of the love/story isn’t to give Elizabeth a new love interest, it’s to elevate her as a person.

Elizabeth is a strong and passionate character with so much determination that I couldn’t help but root for her. She’s got such a fantastic supporting cast of characters and the people she allows into her life are simply a joy to read about. This book made me laugh and it made me a little teary-eyed too, and there was so much love from me for it. Her being a single unwed mother at that point in history, was great to read especially because of her bond with Mad, it is a tender bond and not often in the spotlight with their interactions but it is another foundation of who Elizabeth Zott is, and what she strives for.

The pacing is good but it’s not what I expected, this is more like the prelude to the show and then the show. We have a lot of dreams and goals from not just Elizabeth but from those around her and so while she’s dealing with being a TV Chef, the others all have their own issues and aspirations. This makes the pacing flow smoothly even if it doesn’t feel like you’re ‘going anywhere.’ We linger on characters and their development but in my opinion we also move steadily through the plot as well.

Elizabeth is a voice for so many women and I loved her even when she exasperated me and I was so glad she exasperated me as well. I understood her, I understood those around her, and I wanted to see her succeed.

Anyway, like I said, fangirl screeching all around from me. I was informed it’s a miniseries (I don’t have AppleTV) so I’ll be diving into that soon-ish and giving you all a Book VS. Film (miniseries in this case) post about it. Also Six-Thirty is perfect.

5/5 HUGE cups of coffee, I’m off to go screech about this book on social media now. TTFN.