Brief synopsis:
Set in 50’s / 60’s America, Lessons in Chemistry follows the life and work of the brilliant and beautiful Elizabeth Zott. In a journey which sees her fighting to be taken seriously as a chemist at the esteemed Hastings Research Institute, struggling as a single parent and defying expectations as a cookery show host, her life is a commentary of the gender bias and inequalities faced by women in society at that time. As an empowering character challenging society’s limited expectations of women and fighting abuses of power left, right and centre, Elizabeth’s life story is complex and heart-breaking but always life-affirming. Told simply, and with humour, this is a book which shines a light on the darker societal issues which hid behind the glamour of that era.
Key themes:
Love
Gender stereotypes
Inequality
Societal expectations
Female empowerment
Grief and Loss
Read this one when: you want an intelligent, feel good read bursting with character
