Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel

This book is amazing, and probably one of the best books I have ever read as part of a book club. Club. I had my doubts when I started it, because I don't really like "women's books", much less women's books that are chosen by a book club of all women. 😏 I got into this book right away though. I actually remember the forms of sexism that they talk about in this book, that still existed in the '70s, including the fact that women simply were not only not encouraged from entering scientific fields, but actively discouraged. If they even manage to make it all the way through their education in the '40s to the '60s, they always - and I mean always - ran into harassment and misogyny in any job field that they ended up finding entry into. The prejudices were almost Universal against all women working, much less working in male-dominated Fields. And it was not just in their professions that they ran into misogyny and oppression, but throughout society. I think it is incredibly well portrayed in this book, in that women had barely started making progress, but it was being made. I found almost every part of the portrayal of the individuals and American society in this time, believable. There are male characters in this book who are not misogynistic creeps, but the main character had a very difficult time finding such men, in her time. The book is at least 100% better than the movie they made out of it, especially in its portrayal women's relationships with each other, in particular, the neighbor who helps her eventually with child care. Without that less judgmental help that turned into a true friendship, the main character never would have been able to make it, even "just doing a cooking show". It is hard enough today to be close with other women, if you are not what they consider a standard woman. It was almost impossible in the '50s through the '60s and into the '70s. Not discounting anyone's difficulties. Even now in this area, we have made a tremendous amount of progress, which we are suddenly at risk of losing almost entirely. I am more surprised than I probably should be that by the number of women who gave this bad reviews and claimed they were Christians. You may not believe it, but this is 100% accurate in its portrayal of Christianity at the time, and the alleged impossibility of believing in both God and science. It is a "one sided" portrayal, only insofar as it was a one-sided society and Christianity at the time. Trust me, my mother and father met in seminary, and the minister being "wishy washy" in his discussions with the main character and her struggles with religious people and society were still radical - in that he was even willing to discuss theology and practical matters, with a woman, much less a non-believer.

This was the first book in our new club and everyone LOVED it.

Wonderful book!! Read it!

Good

Group enjoyed the read and good discussion on sexism and struggle as a women to be heard in work place .