The Widely Successful Book Lessons In Chemistry is now being made into a Mini-Series starring Brie Larson
Combine historical fiction with a love story, stir in a pinch of parenting, add in a heaping dose of female empowerment, fold in grief, and top it off with a sprinkle of friendship, and you will have all the ingredients that make up Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
Last year, the book Lessons In Chemistry made it on so many “Top 10 Books I Read This Year” lists that we immediately put it on our TBR list. It popped up on our local library’s Libby app, so we can happily say we got the chance to listen to it.
Unbeknownst to us, the timing was impeccable because the book is set to make its way to the small screen in a highly anticipated TV mini-series on Apple TV, featuring the talented Brie Larson and Lewis Pullman. (Same is true for the big screen release and later streaming release on Apple TV of Killers of the Flower Moon that is reviewed here). It seemed like the perfect time to give our review in anticipation of the release of the mini-series.
Disclosure: Affiliate links are included for ease of reference and convenience. If used for purchase, they will result in a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer.
Lessons In Chemistry – About The Book
Lessons in Chemistry is a novel written by Bonnie Garmus, published in 2022. It’s a fictional tale set in the 1960s and follows the journey of Elizabeth Zott, (possibly one of our favorite lead character names ever) a brilliant but underestimated scientist who stumbles into the opportunity of hosting a TV cooking show, a role she takes on out of necessity rather than passion.
In the 1960’s, women were neither respected nor welcomed in the world of science, regardless of their brilliance. They were, however, revered as homemakers. Zott’s natural “it” factor was immediately noticed by a struggling daytime TV show producer after he was dazzled by his first, very unexpected, encounter with her. He offered her a job hosting a late afternoon cooking show, a time slot typically known for low ratings.
Zott, a fiercely independent, brilliant woman who desperately wants to make a living as a scientist, agrees to this job out of desperation following a series of devastating events that have occurred in her life. She ends up turning a “dead zone” time slot into a runaway success, and she becomes a wildly successful social phenomenon in her role as the unorthodox host of “Dinner at 6.”
Lessons in Chemistry – Genre
Generally speaking, we try not to find out too much about a book before reading it. Thus, we didn’t really know what Lessons In Chemistry was about, but based on the cover and title, it was expected it to be a rom-com, or generally fall into the romance book genre. We were pleasantly surprised that it was a book with a lot more layers and nuance than a typical rom-com. We would classify it as a general fiction genre book, and not as a romance genre book.
Lessons In Chemistry – Book Review
Although Zott’s hosting of the cooking show is the main tag line and hook for Lessons in Chemistry, you actually don’t get to that part until about mid-way through the book. The first half contains the heart and soul of the book, and was the reason why we couldn’t put it down.
Garmus touches on so many issues in a believable and relatable way that we found ourselves, in turn, outraged, thrilled, and devastated for our main character. When the TV show aspect was introduced later in the book, the timing was perfect. It was a great shift in focus to an exciting, interesting, and funny story development.
Aside from the overall story, which was really enjoyable, we also thought the author did a great job creating well-defined characters. You love some characters (six-thirty!!), you hate some, and in some instances, you start off feeling one way about a character, and it evolves and changes over time.
The pacing of the book was good; it kept me engaged and wanting to find out what was going to happen. We did listen to the audio book version and would recommend it in that format. We can be picky with audio books and narrators, but this one worked for us.
Star Rating
One criticism of the book was the delivery of the overall message. We are huge believers in the message and think it is an important one to tell. The exploration of feminism and the struggles of women during the 60’s, and up until modern day, is one that needs to be discussed.
Our criticism here is that the overall message was leaned on a little too hard at times. It was overextended to where it became preachy and soapbox like, which runs the risk of detracting from the story. We had a similar type of review for one of my other favorite reads of last year, The House In the Cerulean Sea. Love the book & love the message, but it was just a touch overdone.
Lessons In Chemistry – 4 Stars
Book Recommendations based on Lessons In Chemistry
When reading a book we often are reminded of other books that are similar in some aspect or another, Here are some book recommendations that you might enjoy if you liked Lessons In Chemistry.
If you like the historical fiction aspect of Lessons In Chemistry, as well as the cooking aspects, I highly recommend The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan. It is set in WWII, has fantastic cooking sections, and has both amazing characters and a great story line. I also listened to the audio version of The Kitchen Front and would highly recommend it. I gave The Kitchen Front 4.5 stars.
If you liked the quirky, unique main character of Elizabeth Zott, I recommend the following three books that also had quirky, funny, smart and sometimes sad, main characters. Eleanor Oliphant was one of the best books I have ever read and it is currently nestled on my “Favorite Books of All Time” book shelf. (5 stars.) The Maid is a whodunnit that I absolutely flew through, (4 stars) and The Rosie Project was sweet, endearing, and contained one of the funniest scenes I have ever read. (4 stars) I have linked their audio versions above and their physical versions below.
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, The Maid & The Rosie Project
Lessons In Chemistry – Mini-Series
Fans of the book have reason to be excited as Lessons in Chemistry is coming to the screen as a TV mini-series on Apple TV. The series stars and is executive produced by Academy Award-winning actress Brie Larson. She stars as our main character Elizabeth Zott, which is great casting. She looks like what we pictured Elizabeth Zott to look like while reading the book!
The mini-series is set to premiere on October 13, and it promises to bring the world of Lessons in Chemistry to life with all the wit, charm, and depth of the novel. In addition to Larson, it has a star studded cast including Lewis Pullman as Calvin Evans and Kevin Sussman as Walter, the TV producer who casts Zott in the TV role. Considering the clout and creative prowess of Apple TV, this adaptation is generating considerable buzz among both fans of the book and new audiences alike.
Brie Larson’s Portrayal of Elizabeth Zott
Brie Larson won an Academy Award for her performance in the movie adaptation of the book Room (a book we also would recommend!). She looks like a fitting choice to portray the complex and determined character of Elizabeth Zott. Not only does she look like the description of Elizabeth Zott, her ability to bring depth to her roles and portray strong, multifaceted women on screen makes her a natural fit for this character.
Elizabeth Zott’s journey from a chemist with unrealized dreams to a cooking show host who incorporates her scientific knowledge into everyday life is sure to be a compelling arc, and Brie Larson’s portrayal is expected to add layers of nuance and authenticity to the character. Curious to see if she pulls it off and whether she would make Elizabeth Zott proud!
Let us know if you read (or listened!) to Lessons In Chemistry and, if so, what you thought of it!
Want more book reviews or book content? We have a whole division of the blog dedicated to it – Check it out here!
Happy Reading!
Slowestuff
Love Bookish Content? Save this post!
