Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can)'s Reviews > Lessons in Chemistry

“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”

Four stars for an unapologetic feministic story that gets it right most of the time. Reflective a lot of the time. Funny sometimes. Cringe worthy – yes sometimes that as well.

Elizabeth Zott has a brilliant mind, so she believes but not a view shared by many men, except Calvin Evans. A man who has created his own rule book and because of his prized work is revered. Yet a man who shares Elizabeth’s passion for chemistry, igniting a romance and a discovery of soul mates that was not destined to last, when Calvin’s life was cut short prematurely.

The sad turn of events leads Elizabeth to begin hosting a TV show where her cooking techniques use the unconventional notion and language of chemistry to educate her viewers.

With a book titled ‘lessons’, it is only right to share a few of life’s lessons that Elizabeth is guided by
1. If you fail, don’t admit it. You have just found the million reasons why something wouldn’t work - I must try that!!!!
2. Don’t work the system outsmart it - yes I agree to that
3. Fearless in the kitchen translates to fearless in life - I wish !!!
4. The best strategy is not to fear the danger but respect it - great lesson
5. Take risks don’t be afraid to experiment - depends on the experiment 😁

With the focus on experimentation, chemistry, and the female role. Lessons in Chemistry is a book that encourages us to think beyond cultural simplicity, acknowledge that some of our own achievements are limited by those restrictions we place on ourselves and fight to change the things in your life that matter. You know as the saying goes ‘anything worth having is worth fighting for’.

If you don’t take the book too seriously and literally then you might love, it. If you try to analyse all the messages and connect it to your personal situation, then you might tear it apart.

I for one enjoyed this story. As a debut it was certainly original, as a means of delivering messages it was convincing, as a woman I was less convinced about Elizabeth hence the 4 stars. However, for entertainment it was certainly an excellent choice.