Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel
#1 GLOBAL BESTSELLER WITH MORE THAN 8 MILLION COPIES SOLD • Meet Elizabeth Zott: “a gifted research chemist, absurdly self-assured and immune to social convention” (The Washington Post) in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show. • STREAM ON APPLE TV+
This novel is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel” (The New York Times Book Review) and “witty, sometimes hilarious...the Catch-22 of early feminism” (Stephen King, via Twitter).
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek
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. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.
But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.
Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.
This novel is “irresistible, satisfying and full of fuel” (The New York Times Book Review) and “witty, sometimes hilarious...the Catch-22 of early feminism” (Stephen King, via Twitter).
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek
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. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.
But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.
Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.
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Community Reviews
4.5 darn near 5 🌟 ! I really enjoyed this book. While sometimes it made me angry to see how things were like for women not so long ago, it was a very cute story with a happy ending. First of all the characters in this book were great. Elizabeth with her blunt speaking, Mad for being so much like her mother, even at such a young age. Wakley, Pine, Harriet, and we can't fail to mention Six-Thirty! My goodness over 800 words, who knew that was possible? I loved hearing things from his point of view, and he was finally able to redeem himself as a bomb sniffing dog. Thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these characters while they navigated love, loss, changes in careers (or not really as the cooking show was actually a lesson in chemistry) and eventually the completion of their little family with the addition of Avery (I must admit I teared up a bit at that reveal). Just a good story all around… P.S. I’m secretly wishing that Elizabeth finds love again with Wakely 😊
Phenomenal story...the prose, the wittiness, the characters, the cleverness of the plot...what a triumph! I fully understand now why this book was such a hit and a crowd pleaser - I think Elizabeth Zott is one of the most endearing and impressionable female protagonists I have ever come across - and her precocious daughter Mad (*curious like Anne and whip-smart like Matilda) found a very special place in my heart along with their dog, six-thirty ...
I think this story is also a reminder that nothing worthwhile in life is easy and the endurance gained from struggle can come with some surprising benefits (unlikely friends and well-earned recognition)
I also love this quote: "Chemistry is change... whenever you start doubting yourself, whenever you feel afraid, just remember: courage is the root of change - and change is what we are chemically designed to do - so when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge; no more holding yourself back, no more subscribing to peoples' opinions of what you can and cannot achieve...do not allow your talents to lie dormant ladies - design your own future - when you go home today ask yourselves what you will change and then get started" (pg. 360)
So I wish I could give a .5 point because I liked it more than a 7 but not as much as a 8. Haha it was a sweet book that at first started off slow but eventually got good and picked up! I really enjoyed the ending and was very glad the character whom had always seemed to get the short end of a stick FINALLY won! Cute book would recommend again.
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