The Book Club met at the Fairfield Centre on March 14th, 2024 to discuss Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. “Lessons in Chemistry” is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to the early 1960s. The story revolves around Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist who faces both professional and personal challenges.
Elizabeth worked at the Hastings Research Institute, where her all-male team doesn’t quite embrace equality. However, there’s an exception: Calvin Evans, a Nobel Prize-nominated scientist who falls in love with her mind. Their chemistry is undeniable, but life takes unexpected turns.
A few years later, Elizabeth becomes a single mother and an unlikely star on America’s beloved cooking show, “Supper at Six”. Her unconventional approach to cooking—think combining acetic acid with sodium chloride—revolutionizes the culinary world. But not everyone is pleased; Elizabeth’s teaching goes beyond recipes; she challenges the status quo.
The novel is laugh-out-loud funny, filled with shrewd observations, and features a vibrant cast of characters. Elizabeth Zott’s journey is as original as she is, making the debut novel of Bonnie Garmus, a delightful read. Her novel has garnered critical acclaim and is a must-read for those who enjoy historical fiction with a twist.
Lessons in Chemistry has been made into a TV series on Apple TV+ in 2023, starring Brie Larson and Lewis Pullman. To see the trailer:
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 