A Culinary Twist to Female Disempowerment
In the ever-expanding literary landscape, “Lessons in Chemistry” emerges as a shining star, blending humour, thoughtful narrative, and a touch of sweet revenge. Authored by former copywriter Bonnie Garmus, this debut novel navigates the turbulent waters of female disempowerment in the 50s and 60s, infusing it with a culinary twist that captivates readers from the very first page.
A Deft Debut in the Era of Pioneering Women
With the successes of “The Queen’s Gambit” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” there’s a renewed fascination with narratives of pioneering women challenging societal norms in the late 50s and early 60s. “Lessons in Chemistry” introduces Elizabeth Zott, a heroine following in the footsteps of trailblazers like Julia Child and echoing the sentiment of “Chemistry is change,” akin to Breaking Bad’s Walter White.
A Quiet Revolution on the Small Screen
Set in 1961, Elizabeth, a 30-year-old single mother and former research chemist reluctantly takes centre stage in a cooking show for homemakers. Garmus skillfully weaves a tale that explores the challenges faced by female scientists, from academic setbacks to everyday misogyny. Despite her setbacks, Elizabeth initiates a quiet revolution on television, inspiring millions of homemakers to embrace their capacity for change.
Garmus’s narrative brilliance lies in crafting a richly comic novel around Elizabeth, a character who faces adversity with deadpan humour. The book delves into the gap between Elizabeth’s unwavering self-identity and the relentless efforts of those around her to conform her to societal expectations. While the novel exhibits first-novel flaws, such as occasional shifts in perspective and a semi-magic-realist strand, Garmus compensates with a satisfying resolution and a larger-than-life Technicolor world.
From Best Seller Lists to the Screen
“Lessons in Chemistry” has quickly become an international sensation since its release in April by Doubleday. The novel boasts an impressive six months on best-seller lists in the United States, with rights sold in 40 countries. Recent accolades, including Barnes & Noble’s Book of the Year and a spot in Amazon’s top 20 books of the year, underscore its widespread acclaim. Moreover, the story came to life on Apple TV+, with Brie Larson starring and executive-producing, positioning it as a strong contender for the best-selling debut novel of 2022.
