Lessons in Chemistry & Brownies

 

Lessons in Chemistry
By: Bonnie Garmus

"Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo."

I thought this was going to be a rom-com.  My last book about women in STEM was The Love Hypothesis so I guess I judged the cover of Lessons in Chemistry and the brief description and my mind decided it was a second chance romance.  I should really start checking genres before forming conclusions.  I would have been fine with a rom-com, but this book offered so much more.  It was funny, and sad, and even angered me at times.

Since Elizabeth Zott is the star of a cooking show there is no shortage of food inspiration in Lessons in Chemistry. I was strongly considering making spinach pie or something with mushrooms because the cooking show featured those items, but there is an entire chapter titled "Brownies" so that sealed the deal for me.

" 'I make brownies on my bad days,' Elizabeth confessed.  'I'm not going to pretend that sucrose is an essential ingredient required for our well-being, but I personally feel better when I eat it.  Now let's get started.' "

I used this Small Batch Brownie recipe from Scientifically Sweet.  I usually use recipes that utilize cocoa powder, but I decided to try one with melted chocolate this time.  It was really good, but so are the ones with cocoa powder.  Honestly, I just love brownies so I'll eat them any way I can get them!

 Lessons in Chemistry: ★★★★★

I love the cover of this book.  It's gorgeous and probably just as eye-catching as the marketing department would like it to be, but combined the cover and the description seem to suggest that the story found within will be chick-lit or even romance.  It is neither.  There is a beautiful romantic relationship, but Lessons in Chemistry focused just as much on friendships and had an abundance of lovable characters.  Mad, Harriet, Walter, and let's not forget Six Thirty all worked their way into my heart and they were just the supporting characters.

The main character, Elizabeth Zott, was so smart and independent and amazingly resilient.  She was constantly challenged in her work and personal life.  If it weren't for the leading lady's strength and determination this could have been a very depressing novel.  The doom and gloom is taken in stride and thankfully broken up by Elizabeth's comically abrupt nature and her refusal to accept the status quo.  Her bluntness added humor to her dialogue (reminiscent of Shelton Cooper from The Big Bang Theory) and had me laughing several times.

I was appalled to read about women being mistreated in professional and academic settings.  I think, or at least I hope, this was sensationalized in order to make a point, but I fear for each real-life good experience there was an equally bad experience.  I was happy to realize that my outrage must mean that we've actually made some advances over the years maybe even a few Elizabeth would be proud of. 

Keep an eye out for the new Apple+ TV Series "Lessons in Chemistry".

Looking for more book-inspired menus? Click here!