Lessons in Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Reviewed by L. Bennett
Elizabeth is a chemist conducting cutting edge experiments into a realm of science so new that few people have heard of it. Calvin is also a scientist whose work in a different arena has brought him fame. He is also a rower, another avenue to his renown. Calvin can't turn around without people noticing. Elizabeth is nearly invisible. Even her seminal paper is published under the name of her boss with no recognition for her. And then she is fired and Calvin dies. So far this story has nothing special about it.
But author Bonnie Garmus uses these events as the core of her story about Elizabeth's refusal to accept that she is not smart enough to be a chemist or do serious work. Elizabeth uses a TV show called Supper At Six to prove that there are no "just a wife" or "only a dinner" moments in a woman's life. She teaches chemistry to the cooking-show audience, much to the horror of the TV station producer. The story of Elizabeth's unconventional wisdom is filled with funny scenes, humor, and very serious achievements. As Elizabeth, her daughter Mad, and dog Six Thirty navigate life's improbabilities I laughed out loud, recalled the 1950s era of woman's place, and finally choked up at the poignant end. This was a fine read.
