Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

 

“Chemistry is inseparable from life—by its very definition, chemistry is life. But like your pie, life requires a strong base. In your home, you are that base. It is an enormous responsibility, the most undervalued job in the world that, nonetheless, holds everything together.”

Even love is scientific. It is based on three things - oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. Most things in life can be proven against a theory... except for how life unfolds.

Life for Elizabeth Zott was anything but a proven theory. It was hard. It was difficult. It was based on social constructs. But, she walked through it all like a boss. Elizabeth Zott was not supposed to be in an era which she was in. The early 1960s were brutal and hypocritical. It was truly a man's world then. And to be a strong, independent, rebellious woman in this man's world was certainly calling for trouble. Zott was a chemist at a well-known research institute. But she only ends up fighting for her "rights" there to conduct research and give her due credit just like they would to her male counterparts.

She meets Calvin Evans - which changes everything. Her perspective. Her life.

Calvin Evans, a boy brought up in a orphans' home, turns out to be an award winning scientist. His meeting with Zott was not a planned one but when they did, sparks flew. Not the loud ones, but like quiet fireflies on a dark night. Silently rising above the ordinary and lighting up their sky.

As life would have it, things don't go as planned. It is a shocking turn of events that lands Elizabeth Zott from a laboratory to the sets of a television show. She brings chemistry to the kitchen. A cooking show with chemistry lessons! Afterall, cooking was science too!

Many interlinked stories row along with that of Elizabeth Zott. How each of them start and come to a logical end is a good story.

What I liked the most? Elizabeth Zott's crudeness. Her hurt shows up in endearing ways. She is hurt not bitter. She becomes determined to prove a point. And she has a dog named 6.30! How cute is that! I watched the TV series on Apple TV as well as listened to the Audible version. Yes, there is a slight difference in the story line as different characters do different things, but both are wonderfully taken. Watching the show helped me visualize as I listened to the book in fits and starts.

The book is full of some amazing dialogues and fun expressions.

Some quotes that the book talks of:

“Imagine if all men took women seriously. Education would change. The workforce would revolutionize. Marriage counsellors would go out of business. Do you see my point?”

“Humans need reassurance, they need to know others survived in hard times. And unlike other species which do a better job of learning from their mistakes, humans require constant threats and reminders to be nice.”

“Whenever you start doubting yourself, whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change and change is what we're chemically designed to do.”

“Humans, Six-Thirty noticed, had a tendency to overcomplicate.”

“Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.”

Pick up that book today! Or just binge watch, will you?