Lessons in Chemistry
What happens when a brilliant chemist claims her place in a world that prefers her in the kitchen?
Content, Genre, and Themes
This book is a literary novel with elements of tragicomic fiction. It tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a gifted chemist in 1960s America, who is forced to abandon her career due to sexism and social conventions. She eventually becomes the face of a cooking show, where she teaches housewives not only how to cook but also how to think independently.
Key themes: gender equality, science, emancipation, motherhood, and social change. The narrative is witty and sharp, yet tackles serious issues such as discrimination and resilience.
Historical Context
The novel is set in the early 1960s, during the second wave of feminism, the civil rights movement, and a period of scientific progress. Women were still largely confined to traditional roles, especially in male-dominated fields like chemistry. Elizabeth’s struggle reflects this reality, making the book a cultural snapshot of its time. Bonnie Garmus drew inspiration from Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique and her own experiences with gender inequality in the advertising industry.
About the Author
Bonnie Garmus (1957), born in Riverside, California, worked for years as a copywriter and creative director before publishing her debut novel. Lessons in Chemistry was released in 2022 and became a global bestseller, translated into over 40 languages and awarded the British Book Awards Author of the Year 2023, Waterstones Author of the Year 2022, and the Paul Torday Memorial Prize. The book was adapted into an Apple TV+ series in 2023 starring Brie Larson.
Reception in the Media
Critics praised the book for its humor and sharp social commentary. The Guardian called it “a polished, witty, and thought-provoking novel,” while Het Parool described it as “a feminist manifesto disguised as a page-turner.” On Goodreads, it holds an average rating of 4.28/5 from over 150,000 reviews. It won multiple reader awards and topped international bestseller lists.
This book is in stock at our warehouse in the Netherlands and available for fast delivery (no customs fees for orders within the Netherlands and the EU).
Product Information
Title: Lessons in Chemistry
Author(s): Bonnie Garmus
Cover Design: Beci Kelly|TW
Publisher: Penguin Random House
ISBN: 9781804990926
Language: English
Binding: Paperback
Number of Pages: 350
Illustrations: No
Edition: 2023
Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.8 x 2.5 cm
Weight:
Condition: Like new
EAN: 9781804990926
Special Features:
Categories: Literature, Historical Fiction, Feminism, Science
Price without shipping costs
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