Unabridged Audiobook
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!
Excellent approaches to the times!
truly a refreshing novel!!!! I implore everyone to listen or read this book!!!
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.
Loved the book
The same recurring generalizations and stereotyping throughout the book and continued into the authors interview. I kept waiting for a good story to appear. It didn’t. I was generous with a two star rating because 6:30 is a great character and I learned a little about rowing.
I was really excited to read this. Women in STEM during a time when it was not common and many barriers existed? Check! However, the whole time I kept feeling like the author was not sending a message with a story but rather forcing a message without complex characters. A strong and diverse main character who is a woman would normally be enough but she felt like the kind of woman who shames other women who like things that are normally seen as feminine. I honestly couldn’t finish it which maybe I should have but I couldn’t.
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)!
Simplistic, with characters I just couldn’t invest in.
I found this book to be intolerant of those who have different views than the author’s (Libertarians and religious people to name a few). The book will leave you feeling cynical, angry, icky, and judgmental. I think this book paints a dark picture of life, which would lead a woman to see her circumstances as hopeless. I would like to see a strong woman who is herself, but doesn’t put herself before those around her, especially her daughter!
This book is probably on my top five list of greatest books I’ve read. As a female in laboratory science myself I felt understood and appreciated. It was a great story and I loved the author interview at the end. The narrator did an amazing job portraying all the characters. Cannot praise this enough!
Too many f words, spoiled it
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.
Couldn’t wait to get my ear buds on every day for this one!
This just didn’t live up to the hype. As a woman who lived in the 60s, I found the story and characters very contrived, although it was entertaining to get inside the mind of the dog. Many of the events in the second half of the book seem to be included only to push the social narrative of Ms Garmus. While I understand authors often embed their works with their own biases, in Lessons in Chemistry, the feminist, anti theist themes become so pronounced and obvious that they detract from the characters and the story becomes extremely predictable.
Loved it!
Thoroughly enjoyed the female lead
Absolutely outstanding characters and story matched by a great narration.
loved the quirky characters
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.
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.
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!
This is now one of my favorite books. So brilliantly written, and heartbreaking and encouraging and all of the power emotions in one. The narrator of this audiobook did fantastic. Her storytelling made this book so so much more.
Absolutely amazing!!! I binged this audio book and wish there was a sequel! It’s not anyone’s typical romcom but it’s one hell of a love story and eye opener on women’s struggles in the work force!! We all need a little bit of Elizabeth’s drive and determination! Listen to it I promise you will not be disappointed!!
Very enjoyable to listen to while traveling- the ending was wonderful.
The best book I have read in a very long time! While I was happy to have things come together at the end, I was very sad that the story ended. I wanted it to go on and on. A great read, one that I could relate to and I'm sure a lot of women of my generation will be able to relate to it as well. And, we haven't come that far actually, so todays woman will also relate....no question about it.
One of the best books I’ve listened to in a long time. Very well written, entertaining and thought provoking.
This is an excellent book with even better narration. Likely my favorite book I've ever listened to! Kudos!
I truly loved this book. I love the quirky characters. I especially love 630, his humanity, love and devotion are a real inspiration. It’s not all girl power, roses and sunshine but like in life the good outweighs the bad and it is well worth the read.
Loved the character development, and the authors humor.
Took awhile to get into but then loved it
Very entertaining. Perfectly sums up many thoughts, feelings and experiences of being a woman in the work place. Loved it.
Very entertaining
Great book
very well drawn characters and entertaining storyline, with am eye opening view of the times and deep struggles of the main personas. 5 stars and highly recommendation.
I couldn’t get into this book. Kinda weird.
Excellent. Heart wrenching. Personalized feminist movement.
I really enjoyed this book and the narrator. The characters were well developed and interesting. Focused on sexism and gender-based discrimination and violence. Content warning- there is sexual assault in here.
Absolutely wonderful book. I was cheering for the protagonist the whole time. There are parts where she is treated horrifically by men, but overall, the story is heartwarming. The kind of book that, when I think of it now, I get a smile on my face and a little bit choked up. 10/10 recommend!
I loved this book. As a woman and a Chemist it really made me appreciate the female scientists that came before making my career a little easier.
So sadly cliche in just about every way. Massively disappointing.
I stopped listening. The goal of the book seemed to be to put men down. As with many books/films, the point here was not to empower women but to make women superior to men less. Can no one empower women without making it about men?
The narrator was good but the book was fair, I wouldn’t recommend it since there are so many books that are much better.
Loved this book! It’s good to have book that just makes you feel better for reading it .. listening, that is. Narrator brought the chactacters to life.
predictable book, enjoyable book
It was read well
Whenever a book is so widely recommended to me by family and friends I of course get skeptical, but this book met all the hype and then some. Incredible listen. One of the best I have come along in years! You need to experience Elizabeth Zott!!!!!!
Cute and simple little book
LOVED this book!!! I kept passing it up as I wasnt sure I would like it!! I was so wrong!
Great entertainment and a sad endictment of society once again!!
This was by far one of the best books I have listened to. The book itself is well written and very entertaining and the narration is very well done. Highly recommend!
This book kept my attention the whole time and the r narrator was awesome which is why I gave it 5 stars, but I found myself rolling my eyes quite a lot. The book makes it sound like being a mother is horrible. It’s not. Please don’t let books and programs like this influence your decision to have a family. Having children is not always what this book makes it seem. Sure, It can be tough, but the reward is well worth it.
I did not enjoy this book. The characters were one-sided cartoons with ridiculous situations. The misogyny of the time period is completely believable but the characters themselves are unbelievable and wooden. It never feels like the 50s and 60s other than the misogyny the characters encounter. The characters emotional lives are never explored. I hated the second half of the novel because even the twists were predictable in placing the characters in simple outcomes whether good or bad. However, the narrator was plenty capable and did her best with the terrible dialogue.
Love this book!!
Amazing read.
Such a good book! I loved the unique and authentic love the author depicted.
Lessons in Chemistry was so compelling, I listened to it myself and then listened again with my husband on a trip. The characters are well developed and the story moves along swiftly. Enjoyable read!
I enjoyed it. Especially the part about the aching a dog a large vocabulary. I’m attempting that with my pup.
Great book especially for women. At times it felt like the transitions between the chapters didn't make sense, and I had to go back to make sure I didn't skip any chapter, but after a while it all made sense.
Great read.
Great story and characters seems to leap off the page.
Great story and well read
This is not classically great literature, but it is an engaging story with some important messages regarding sexism and gender roles, which, unfortunately have not changed nearly as much as they should have in the past sixty years.
A decent listen. Started slow and the narration was a bit stiff; it’s not until you get into it a bit that you realize it’s a technique to try to make it sound more scientific and fact based. I think the story itself would have flowed better if it had been more of a fluid read. Anyway, good story that was worth the listen.
First book that I quit reading because it was so boring and disjointed. Not my style.
Fantastic boom
Amazing read! Loved the layers of the story!
Very clever story about a woman who defies norms at all costs and dares to do the unthinkable just because she can’t understand a different way of doing things. A great read.
Best audiobook I’ve listened to. I highly recommend it.
A very fun read and great narrator!
Loved everything about this book!!
I enjoyed this book! Loved the narrator!
What a beautiful and inspiring story! Anyone with even a slight interest in chemistry or cooking will find this book entertaining.
great story about the struggle women still face to a degree.
The beginning is a bit slow, mostly because there are a lot of plot lines that need to be set up. The second half of the book really picks up and the ending is quite satisfying. it would be easy to say that there are a lot of over the top plot points to get across a feminist point of view, but many of us take for granted that women have basic workplace rights now and despite continuing sexism we've really come quite far.
I like Elizabeth, but she repeats herself an awful lot and this becomes annoying. Not that she uses the same words, but the same themes. Overall, a good book tackling important themes, in the 1950’s and presently. Loved the dog and the Number Two Pencil. The narrator is excellent.
At the top of my all time favorites.
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!! Run don’t walk….read and enjoy, you will love Elizabeth Zot and all she is. Loved this book.
Made her point over and over. Predictable
Excellent!
I loved it!
Great narration.
I was so impressed when I listened to the sample that I immediately asked my dad to purchase the book
i love it!!!
Amazing and refreshing! You will be missing out on some life lessons if you don’t read this:)
Loved this book.
This book is Great, a must 2023 Summer read. I truly enjoyed it. Thank you for the wonderful story!
A 1st novel for this writer. It’s a home run in my book! Makes me want to dust off my chemistry textbooks.
amazing book
Excellent book that I would and have recommended to friends and family! I always enjoy quirky characters and a strong female lead. Extra bonus that women in science and atheism/humanism were included. Both made the story more interesting and enjoyable for me!
A lovely read/listen. Very enjoyable and relevant (though story a bit far-fetched).
Liked the book, good story line. Just didnt like how 630 was portrayed as being so intelligent and intuitive.
It was a bit too cynical and artificial for me to recommend, but loved 6:30 and the idea of the chemistry cooking show.
What a great book. The narrator made the audiobook!
Loved it. I trained in sciences and have a post graduate degree. 1970 to 1980s. Rang quite true to my experiences and the experiences of my fellow female scientists. Except for the second career of course!
I had to take one star away because I knew the end before reading it. I did, however, like the basic premise and the development of characters. I feel the story had great merit.
I loved this book. I thought it was so intellielgently written and kept me wanting to hear more.
Great book. It’s the best one I’ve listed to this year. I highly recommend it. Fantastic ending.
I very much enjoyed this book. Being a rower myself I love how it included rowing. I know women have made it far it just puts it in your face to how far we’ve come in a different way that actually seems relatable to the times still.
great book that really makes you want to fix progress for equality. we are 99% the same inside
I loved this book! When the review said it was a laughter out loud, I couldn’t disagree more. I didn’t find it comical (maybe 6:30s quirks) but it was a great story about adversary and the challenges a woman would face trying to elevate her career in prominently men’s world in the 50s and 60s.
Lovely read! Narration was easy to listen too. Ready for Bonnie’s next book!
Clever dialogue, interesting concepts ie. chemistry of cooking, rowing. Super-hero characters ie. beautiful athletic geniuses wronged by society. If only everyone were so gifted
Loved this book!! Can’t wait to see the movie
Pleasant book.
I loved this book.
Loved it
Gave it a try and liked it!
Wanted to love it, and did appreciate the attempt to describe the trials of women in science, but in the end its another Hallmark movie script, but well written.
I’m not a fan of the main character. We either get Mary sues, or we get the extreme off cassette of a Mary Sue. Elizabeth, that is the extreme opposite, where she’s so rigid and determined that she ignores what’s best for her child at times, what’s best for her career, and what’s best for others. She never takes into account that for television show employed hundreds of people who had to feed their families. Only her desires seem to matter. The author takes pokes at Christians, Catholics, and anyone who has faith in God. Atheist are considered superior in this book I am agnostic, but I think it’s very easy to dump on Christianity, and the Catholic Church, which this author found easy to do. The book ignores a lot of the truth of the 1950s and 60s. And although college may have coined the word “soulmate “in the 1800s, it was not a word that was used in the 50s or 60s. I liked Calvin, because I think he had more humanity than Elisabeth. Madeline might’ve been a more round a child if he had lived. Madeline herself was on the same path as her mother in many ways. It’s supposed to be a ROM com…I never once laughed or found it funny.
Great narrator!
AMAZing!! This book is an amazing story of love and tolerance.
Loved the characters and writing in this book.
Loved it! Started out thinking I had picked up another romance novel, so I was unenthusiastic - but the book sucked me jn, the romance ended abruptly and the real story began. Highly recommend it!
Loved the narrator’s voice and the humor in this book.
It has a unique story plat. I enjoyed reading it.
I read this book and loved it!
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.
wonderful read
Loved this book and all the messages. Also entertaining page Turner
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.
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
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!!
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.
~~tag-text~~