Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel

The book has a good heart and great messages, so I get why people love it. But I found much of it anachronistic (yes, I was around back then), the characters artificial, the plot contrived, Dog Savant 6:30 gaggingly cutesy, and I know, the parents were geniuses, but authors: please spare me any more super-precocious children! With the author as narrator, I should trust she read the chatacters' voices the way she envisioned them, but to me, they were often off-key--Elizabeth at times sounded too sweet, for instance, or the tone wrong for the scene and dialogue. I suspect that the humor and whimsy might have played better if I'd read it rather than listening to it.

Loved it! This book was awesome to listen to driving back and forth to the beach solo! The narrator was amazing but the book as a whole was great! I’m glad I didn’t read the description before I started. It made it that much better. There were some quirky parts but they added to the fun of the book. Great read/listen!! And I just heard it’s been picked up as a series. Will watch!

truly a refreshing novel!!!! I implore everyone to listen or read this book!!!

Excellent approaches to the times!

Loved the book

slow at times, but totally fascinating especially if you were a woman growing up in this era! Too often I found myself thinking - "oh, yeah - that was the way we were treated!" and sometimes felt that this was why I and some college friends never got to the careers we then aspired to - BUT more than expected numbers of us DID - by cutting our own way - and "being determined to identify ourselves as . . . . - not just a girl. In the end, there were so many lessons to take away - and I really enjoyed the interview with the author at the end of the audio book. How she selected and developed each character was very interesting - and also helped to show that character's important influence in the book and on the reader. Highly recommend this book!

The narrator did a great job with the characters. I could visualize every moment in my minds eye. This book had me on my tippy toes, as you just could not help but root for the main characters. The authors poignant portrayal of the sexist times were on point and riveting.

Narrator was fantastic. Absolutely loved this delightful book

Clever and engaging!

The BEST book I have listened to in quite awhile!

I loved it from start to finish. Bonus to author who allows the dog to be an actual part of story with thoughts and actions like a normal character. Love!

Loved it! Definitely recommend

I loved this book. Women have a come a long way, baby! I cannot imagine feeling inferior to men like the women in the 50’s and 60’s did. Yea for Elizabeth. The writer had great insight and I look forward to the series coming out on TV, loved it all. My daughter has a dog very similar to 6:30… Tramp smart and understands every word. Enjoy this book.

Couldn’t wait to get my ear buds on every day for this one!

Life-affirming, witty, wonderful. Loved this book.

Amazing story great listen

One of my new favorite books! Loved the characters including 6:30(smartest dog ever!) Didn’t want the book to end!

Lessons in Chemistry was a very enjoyable audiobook! I look forward to more books from Bonnie Garmus!

Feminism, science, and a dog that has narrative. I loved it all.

Enjoyed the book. Gives a really good perspective of women’s challenges in the workplace when women weren’t allowed to do things men can do. Good intertwining of characters and character development. Enjoyed it.

Great book. True description of life for women in the 1950s and 1960s. I lived it and felt every insult; lack of recognition; misogyny (although I did not know the correct word for sexual harassment at that time;) and loss of self-esteem. Should be read by all young people as a reference for the way women have been relegated to the sidelines despite their obvious talents outside their expected roles.

wonderful read

Loved this book and all the messages. Also entertaining page Turner

I absolutely LOVED this book!!! I can’t even put into words how this book made me feel!! It was such a great understanding and knowledge of our past as women. I can’t wait for the series to come out.

A bit too predictable with the Parker stuff in the background.

I loved this story.. EZ was bold, ballsy, strong, funny, unapologetic, loving and obviously intelligent. I didn’t know what to expect when I first started listening, but it quickly drew me in and i felt as if I were right there along side her, rooting her on. The characters were well developed and the story was well written. Can’t wait to read her next novel!

I was misled by the 5 star reviews. I really didn’t enjoy this book!!!the narrator was good, she did her job well, but the story line itself was annoying.

A caution to readers, the author repeatedly insults the idea of religion, basically stating that people of faith are ignorant and misled. Otherwise, a good book with important messages.

Great

Extremely engaging book, romance, humour and deep societal issues of equity and independence.

It was funny sad and interesting.

Loved it. Well written, great theme, perfectly developed characters. Definitely a must read!

Loved it! Great story! Would have liked more instead of ending it where she did.

one of the best!

I think this book had just the right amount of humor and intelligence. I loved the development of the characters.

Love a good book where woman are appreciated.

This was an incredible read! I loved the way the book flowed and the narrator did an excellent job in reading it. I couldn't wait to play it whenever possible. I HIGHLY recommend it.

I loved this book so much for so many reasons! To realize how it was to be a woman in the 50’s and 60’s for one. I love the strength of Elizabeth Zott and her wit and reasoning! I laughed out loud at many of her thoughts. I loved her parenting skills. She is a wonderful character you can’t help loving. Inspirational to women for sure!

This was a great book about the abilities of women and the changes they can make in the world.

Loved the story and the narrator!

Excellent !!

This book was so good my 7th graders loved it and recommended it to there friends and they loved it!!!

I enjoyed the book took it at face value and found it light and entertaining. But why must the narrator put an “r” at the end of words that end in a vowel? IE: Amanda becomes Amandar

I was pleasantly surprised since I have read/listened to some not-so-great books as of late. Lessons in Chemistry was an interesting and fun read! I have been recommending it to all of my friends. The only part of the story I did not love was that Elizabeth was somewhat against believing in God. I know plenty of “scientists” that believe in God, so I credit her horrible parents for making her so rigid against religion.

I loved this book. I’ve been recommending it to all the women in my life.

strong feminine protagonist who stands for what she believes in. it was captivating, sad, and willful.

Lessons in Chemistry was interesting, funny and even though the time period was the 60’s, relevant with our world today. Excellent book!

Funny, original, heartwarming, heartbreaking and full of amazing characters! Simply unforgettable ❤

Loved the book/audiobook. Precipitated several conversations related to some of the messages.

Very original- refreshing plot. A different point of view.

This was an amazing book. Having raised two daughters my wife and I can totally identify with the main character… a must listen to

Absolutely wonderful read! Very enjoyable. Well written with great narration. You will fall in love with the main character

Interesting story depicting the challenges of being an unwed mother and female scientist in the 50’s/60’s. I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth’s approach to cooking from a scientific perspective. Loved 6:30. What a memorable character! It was unfortunate that the author chose to belittle and berate faith in God. Faith in oneself and others will always disappoint as will ‘religion’. If we are to embrace tolerance and equality, this book failed in that regard. God commands, ‘Though shalt not lie.’ and we see where that got everyone in the story (except 6:30)!

I will definitely recommend this read. I very much enjoyed this book. I also feel the narration was spot on. Some of the storyline concepts were very inventive.

Loved it!!

Loved this book.

This was a fantastic listen. I loved the characters and the narator was phenomonal!!

This book started off very bland, but got a little more interesting towards the end of the book. I think I expected more as it is my book club read this month. I wonder if it’s because it’s my first time listening to a book rather than reading one? Regardless, it was just a good listen, rather than a ‘page turner’ with any unexpected twists and turns.