Lessons in Chemistry: A Captivating Story of Women, Identity, and Societal Struggles

I really enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. It was a fast, easy read, very well written, and I found myself completely absorbed in the story from start to finish. The plot felt fresh and original, and I couldn’t put the book down.

That being said, I did find some aspects of the story a bit far-fetched. Elizabeth Zott is an extremely intelligent and strong woman who doesn’t care about fitting into society’s conventions, which was inspiring. However, her personality can feel quite extreme. She is not only brilliant but also socially distant, which made it harder for me to fully connect with her. I would have liked to see a more “normal” woman—someone who is smart, works hard, and fights to succeed while still being socially adaptable. 

Additionally, her child is portrayed as a genius from an early age, reading and understanding complex ideas, which felt a bit too unrealistic for my taste. This is a trend I’ve noticed in many books recently, where characters are portrayed as unusually extraordinary, and it sometimes makes them harder to relate to. I think I would have connected more with the characters if they were more grounded and ordinary.

Despite these reservations, I really enjoyed the book’s magical realism, added through the character of Six-thirty the dog. Six-thirty has his own thoughts and a small side story, which I found charming and sweet, but also adds to the story of the other main characters in the book.

One of the standout elements of the book is how it addresses important social issues, particularly the struggles women faced in the past. The story delves into the sexism that limited women’s opportunities, such as earning less simply because of their gender and the expectation that women should stay at home and not be more intelligent than men. It also highlights how men often took credit for the research and ideas of women, pushing their contributions into the shadows. Sexual harassment at work is another key theme, with women often blamed for such treatment, as though they somehow invited it. These issues are not new, but it was powerful to see them all brought together in one book.

Another element of the book that really resonated with me was the discussion around changing one’s last name. Coming from Chile, where children are given both parent’s last names, and women don’t take their partner’s last name, I found it interesting to see how different cultures handle this. In the Netherlands, where I now live, it’s common for one partner to take the other’s last name, and children typically receive only one last name, often that of their father’s. This was a significant shift for me, as I’ve always been vocal about keeping my name because it feels like a part of my identity. 

I’ve also always found it confusing to have just one last name. In Chile, having two last names helps clarify who people are and how they’re connected to others. With only one last name, it can be hard to tell if two people with the same name are siblings, cousins, or just unrelated. When I got married, I kept my name, and our child ended up with two different naming conventions. In one passport, she has both my husband’s and my last names, while in her Dutch passport, she only has her father’s last name.

Luckily, in the Netherlands, we can now officially give children both last names, which we did for our child. It may sound like a mouthful, but it feels fair and respectful to me. As a mother, I went through pregnancy and gave birth—why shouldn’t my name also be part of my child’s identity? 

This theme in the book really stood out to me, as it was the first time I’d seen this topic addressed in a fiction book, and it felt both personal and important.

In summary, Lessons in Chemistry is a fun and engaging read that tackles many significant topics related to women’s rights and the struggles they’ve faced. It left me reflecting on identity, societal expectations, and the meaning of family names. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and enjoyable read.