“Lessons in Chemistry” By Bonnie Garmus -Historical Fiction

Bonnie Garmus created a marvelous protagonist to drive her story in Lessons in Chemistry. The brilliant Elizabeth Zott is a dazzling woman, one who is extremely intelligent and hones into detail. She is beautiful, and is determined to spend her time immersed in what she loves- science.

Unfortunately Zott was attempting to rise in the early 1960s when women were still making their way into occupations outside of homemaking, resulting in female scientists not yet being taken seriously. Regardless, Elizabeth vigorously takes her place in the subject of science, unapologetic with what she has to offer with her expertise.

Lessons in Chemistry will have readers grasping at the success, determination, and courage of the leading lady.

This book has moments of humor, yet also realistic renditions of what women faced when entering a workforce that had been mainly occupied by men. Elizabeth is abused, and brutally disregarded when pushed aside, but she is fierce in her attacks towards anything, and anyone, telling her she can’t.

Harriet, who helped care for Elizabeth’s daughter while she worked, helped ground Elizabeth in her overwhelming exhaustion of battling the world. Knowing very well and understanding all that Elizabeth was capable of, but unable to ignore the reality of cruel disappointments.

Harriet buoys Elizabeth and presses her onward,

“Take a moment for yourself… A moment where you are your own priority, Just you. Not your baby, not your work, not your… Mr. Evans, not your filthy house, not anything. Just you. Elizabeth Zott. Whatever you need, whatever you want, whatever you seek, reconnect with it in that moment… Then recommit.”

Harriet coaxed Elizabeth to remember her dreams, and capabilities that define her as a unique woman, and prompted her to never forget her own value- the value she had to offer to her daughter and to the world.