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A review by enchantingreads_rosyreviews
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
"'...life has never been fair, and yet you continue to operate as if it is—as if once you get a few wrongs straightened out, everything else will fall into place. They won’t. You want my advice?' And before she could say no, he added, 'Don’t work the system. Outsmart it.'”
Feminists of the world, unite! This book is quirky, funny, and thought-provoking. But it's commentary on sexism and gender inequality (whether socially or economically), is perfection! Garmus shines a spotlight on modern sexism through the lens of this 1960s world she's created. Plus, Elizabeth, the main character, is a strong, independent woman in STEM we can all root for.
There is no other book like this… and I’m not exaggerating. Combining quirky humor, sexism and gender inequality, 1960s stereotypes, chemistry/science, and a strong female main character, this book is a wild ride. There are so many POVs (even one from her dog, named Six-Thirty) which allow a full, well-rounded perspective on this world. This book made me gasp, question things, smile, and even cry. More than anything else, it becomes obvious early on that, although this book takes place in the 1950s and 1960s, the author talks about sexism in ways that apply to the modern era. As a woman and feminist, this book makes me feel heard and I feel stronger after reading it.
Although the Apple TV+ series deviated from the book in many ways, both pieces of work are fantastic in their own ways. If you've seen one, you will still be surprised to take in the other. This book is really great and I highly recommend it.
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Grief