Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 307,678 ratings

Price: 17.72

Last update: 01-11-2025


Top reviews from the United States

Dannan Tavona
5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing tale
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2024
Historical fiction, gender studies and issues, unique parenting, indomitable sense of self

A remarkably engaging novel written with cutting wisdom and, at times, humor both startling and refreshing. It was satisfying that at the end, both Elizabeth and Mad found they had a forged friendships and family worthy of their honesty and insight. And they had the fortune to have one amazing dog! I wish there really had been such a television show back then. We needed it then, and could use it now.

A female chemist who was not Marie Curie? Try Rosalind Franklin.

Perfectly edited. Thoroughly enjoyed. Recommended.
Anne S.
5.0 out of 5 stars best book I’ve read in a very long time!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
As a woman who has a talent fir math and logic who grew up in the fifties and sixties I can assure the reader that most of this story accurately describes the lives if women in that period, however, it does it in a very entertaining and hopeful way!!! I laughed out loud, felt compassion for the characters, felt understood, and, grateful as I read this book. I’ll be looking for more from books from Bonnie Garmus.
IMAuD
4.0 out of 5 stars A Joy to read
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
Lessons in Chemistry is a move about a smart woman in the 50s who refused to be put in her place as a wife a mother only. She had a great ability for chemistry and wanted to use that ability but was fighting in a man’s world. She was born 50 years too early.

The writing is excellent and the book flows easily. It is funny and has a lot of poignant thoughts. It not your typical book with your typical plot. The use of the “f-word” was used a little more prolifically than needed. I liked the book but was not blown away by the book hence the 4 stars.
PNJay
5.0 out of 5 stars couldn’t put it down
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
well written, and hugely entertaining. This book was an accurate description of what it would be like to be a very intelligent talented woman in the 50s and 60s in America. I read it at my daughter’s recommendation. she said that she had no idea what it had been like for her grandmother and me living and growing up in those times as a female. And this book really opened her eyes to that and the disempowering male attitudes of those times. I highly recommend it.
A. Fisher
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring!
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
What a lovely story about a gifted, intelligent, and beautiful woman trying to survive in a man’s world during a time when women had no rights. Elizabeth, a chemist, meets the love of her life at Hastings University where he (Calvin) is also a chemist. It wasn’t love at first sight, but one that grew out of mutual respect and friendship. Ms. Garmus weaves in intricate tale of love, loss, unfortunate circumstances, betrayals, revenge, and family. A wonderful read that I would highly recommend!
Mrs. Cynthia C. Roelofs
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2024
This book is brand new, came before expected. What more could a customer ask? I was looking for my next Book Club recommendation, don’t think it might be a great choice for this group, but I have loved it. Funny, thought provoking, well written, unusual construction making it even more engaging.
Sydni Ward
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Summer Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024
So I’ve seen this book float around for the last few years and have never really taken an interest in reading it. Historical fiction is my favorite genre but something about this just never captivated my attention. I recently joined a bookclub and this was the book of the month. I had about two days to read it and completed it in less than 24 hours. I can see the hype around this book. It is super fun to read enjoyable relatable. As a mother of three kids, myself And someone who is constantly pursuing education, I can see the power that is captivated in Elizabeth’s character. She constantly advocated for herself and knew that despite society had claimed for her. I love that throughout the entire book from the very beginning she had a village, which is what motherhood is truly about. It is what being a woman is about you have your people and those people role with you through the good times and the bad times. They are constantly pushing you to be the best version of yourself and they’re constantly challenging you to reflect on the parts of yourself that could change and be better. Elizabeth’s character was very relatable and she was constantly rising up to the occasion.
chancytejana
5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons in Life
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
I read this so long ago that if Amazon hadn't marked it read, I would not have checked it out. Evidently things have not changed as much as I thought from one female parent/child household in the 1950's to now, as I see Elizabeth and Mad would most likely be isolated and labelled autistic. No one bothered to determine whether or not she was or had been married to determine any rights or care necessary for the two, but now there would be great concern for father parental rights which would be a large social prybar into their business, allowing the bullying to begin, after all, it sounds much more progressive than gossip, nosiness, and social climbing or jealousy.

However, armor society fears most: drop dead beauty powered by nuclear level intelligence which link seamlessly and feed each other symbiotically will frustrate and confuse most such social efforts and will allow the growth of a different and richer fact pattern which will save their world or destroy it. I'm opting for the positive outcome myself. I met some people like this mother and child once,and while the daughter thought (wrongly) she could save the world when she grew up, the mother thought she could save her child. She was right and every day I thank her for it, bcs that is all one can do, really, and it is hard enough that very very few women besides Elizabeth and Dee will succeed. Bonnie is right and her beautiful words do work. Enjoy them, as she would be first to say they are just good practical applied science. Oh yes. And love. Read. Maybe , just maybe we can help them save the world!! Wouldn't it be fun? Www

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