There’s nothing average about the average housewife.” —Bonnie Garmus
Here at 2 at 27, we love nothing more than a robust feminine role model, and Elizabeth Zott is no exception. She’s a chemist, TV star, producer, and mom to a brilliant little girl. Did we mention she did all of this during the 1950s and the 1960s?
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus follows Zott’s tale of two plus decades navigating a patriarchally oppressive society. Following a chaotic childhood, Elizabeth is accepted into UCLA’s Masters of Chemistry on an eventual Ph.D. track. After Zott’s program offer is rescinded due to an incident, she claws her way into Hastings Research Lab as an expert in abiogenesis. (Don’t worry, we looked it up for you—it’s how life begins and evolves from inorganic substances). Elizabeth is determined to swear off men and focus on her career at Hastings…for a couple of weeks. Brilliant, young, and off-putting, Calvin Evans swoops into Elizabeth’s life and sweeps her off her feet. They both agree to become the best chemists in the world sans kids or marriage. For once in her life, everything is perfect.
Until it’s not. Following a series of unfortunate events, Elizabeth’s at the bottom of the barrel. With a newborn, no partner, and no job prospects, she takes matters into her own hands. What follows is a story of a woman clawing and ball-busting her way to fame, respect, and, most importantly, female empowerment. Zott’s ability to rise above her misfortunes and lift others to a new plane is more of what we need to see in 2023, despite the 60-year gap.
I give this book a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars—it’s witty, sobering, and empowering all at once. Barnes and Noble clearly agrees with me as they just named it their Book of the Year. The Brits are loving it too. Waterstones has it on their Shortlist for Fiction Book of the Year. Every woman should read this book and share it with their gal pals. When we’re down about the testosterone, we should ask ourselves, “What would Elizabeth Zott do?”