From the Bookshelf of The Perks Of Being A Book Addict…

Lessons in Chemistry

Bonnie Garmus

Start date: April 1, 2023

Finish date: April 30, 2023

Discussion: Group Books of the Month (BotM)

Why we're reading this: Chosen by group members as our BotM for April 2023.
[close] Chosen by group members as our BotM for April 2023.

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What Members Thought

Jan 30, 2023 Anne rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I would truly put this at a 3.5 but I rounded up. I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the story and time period, but I struggled to connect with the main character. Elizabeth was such a smart person and her adamant hesitation to not get married is just unfortunately unrealistic for the 60s. This is the same decade that women were JUST getting the right to have their own bank account without a male co-signer, which her dad was in prison, who was going to sign for her to have one? It I would truly put this at a 3.5 but I rounded up. I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the story and time period, but I struggled to connect with the main character. Elizabeth was such a smart person and her adamant hesitation to not get married is just unfortunately unrealistic for the 60s. This is the same decade that women were JUST getting the right to have their own bank account without a male co-signer, which her dad was in prison, who was going to sign for her to have one? It wasn’t until the mid-70s was legislation passed for an equal credit act, to prohibit credit discrimination due to gender. They even briefly refer to this discrimination with the Avery foundation and how only marriage could release control. Someone as smart as Elizabeth would have known that marrying just in the legal sense would have given her some protections. The fact she was so against it, while I get her points but in a modern environment, just felt like she was going out of her way to ignore the legislation and laws of the USA at this time. I got kind of frustrated with her tv ark, while I understand her first love was research, I found it really upsetting that she helped so many women achieve things and was such a major inspiration for her just to leave when she was making the most impact. They even state the president was a watcher, she in theory could have made major changes for equality in science for women! She could have spoken to legislators! Even her going to part time with the show instead of just quitting when she had the most potential for change is such a let down. Her going back to the lab instead of working with the foundation to open a new lab, felt like a let down. Where was the vindication? I get you fire the villain but so? He was connected, he’ll get another job. Leaving a job and creating a new lab with cutting edge research is such a better ending. What about the advisor/professor? He just gets away with slander and SA? I loved the concept and the other characters, I love how you hear the perspectives of everyone and how the story lines all interact with each other, but there was so much potential that end up not being really plausible using the historical aspect. I just feel conflicted. ...more

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Nov 15, 2022 Monica Albright rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Yep, this is one to pick up and enjoy. It does live up to all of the hype. I now feel like an expert in all things chemistry and rowing. I know, I am not. But it's fun to delve into this world that Bonnie Garmus has written for us. ...more

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