Chemistry Is Change: Lessons In Chemistry By Bonnie Garmus

Oh wow! From page one, the main character, Elizabeth Zott, had me hooked, a protagonist of singular charm. I am no scientist, erring as I did at school, on the side of the Arts - English especially, and Languages, so the book’s title might have deterred me a little (sorry Mr Lowson, I know you tried!). But really, I should have read Bonnie Garmus’ debut novel as soon as it was recommended to me. Why did I waste precious time putting it neatly in its place on the pile? This novel should be compulsory reading in all schools, exhorting girls towards success as it does. This is a feminist fable of a single-minded woman determined to forge her own path, against whatever odds an unfair society throws in her way.

As I have said, science is not my field of expertise so I have to assume that the scientists in this novel are not talking gobbledegook (and as Garmus thanks her scientist friends for ‘meticulously checking the details’, I trust it’s all correct). Really, it doesn’t matter anyway because it’s not about textbook chemistry at all, it’s about human chemistry, societal expectation and what happens when someone tries to flout the norm.

Beginning in 1961, before the sexual revolution and the rise of second-wave feminism, the social setting definitely places women in an inferior position to men, unable to win places at prestigious universities, unable to access high level jobs, forced to succumb to the dominant male will. Go back ten years, as this novel then does, and it’s even worse.

Elizabeth Zott is a remarkable woman, a research scientist with a scientific knowledge and understanding that is second to none, and still she seeks answers. Her background is not typical and she has been forced to rely on herself far more than she should. When she is raped by a boss who thinks she needs to be taught a lesson, the Police expect her to apologise for defending herself by stabbing him with a pencil (a 2HB takes on a new significance), and when she makes no ‘statement of regret’, the case is not pursued any further. It doesn’t happen a second time, despite the best intentions of another boss!

Having found a position at the Hastings research facility, Elizabeth’s work is genuinely pioneering but not recognized as hers. Credit is taken by men who simply steal it from her. Despite, or maybe because, she is beautiful ‘with flawless skin and the unmistakable demeanour of someone who was not average’, she is socially awkward, but does meet a man, Calvin Evans, a brilliant scientist who is renowned for holding grudges and is equally smitten with Elizabeth. They discover a perfect chemistry: ok, the first time they meet, he thinks she is a secretary rather than a scientist, and the second, he manages to vomit on her, but when this socially inadequate pair actually manage to communicate, they do make ‘the perfect couple’. Elizabeth describes them later as ‘soulmates’. Because of him ‘her smile re-emerged’ – for the first time since she was ten-years-old. Their ‘perfect love’ obviously arouses jealousy from colleagues, which in turn leads to some unfortunate events but they are mostly oblivious. Both have histories they would rather forget (although Calvin’s does lead to a rather satisfying sub-plot), and both briefly enjoy the ideal relationship they share. Perfection can’t last, obviously, and doesn’t. Zott finds herself a single parent with a delightfully precocious daughter who seems to share her inquisitive nature and her lust for knowledge. There is also Six-Thirty, a highly intelligent dog which they adopt. He is trained to seek out bombs but too scared to find them in case they go off. He should not be underestimated at any cost; he is still an excellent guard dog and his asides, which are shared with the reader, are something else.

Forced to resign from the Hastings research facility, Zott needs to find work to support herself and daughter Mad – no, not short for Madeline, just Mad – and ‘like most stars’ she is ‘discovered’. The contents of her daughter’s lunch box are the key and she finds herself hosting a cooking programme, Supper at Six, which becomes a most unusual show since she insists on applying chemistry to every recipe, somehow empowering women across the nation as she does so.

The novel follows her life and leads her into some unusual situations but, her friend and neighbour, Harriet, Dr Mason, and Walter, her director, do their best to keep her on the straight and narrow. The article about her in Life magazine, however, shows the power of the media and how unscrupulous people will twist dubious ‘truths’ for credulous readers. Fortunately, in this case, the truth will out; karma has a way of finding the right recipient and the ending is most satisfactory.

There are laugh-aloud moments as Zott’s deadpan delivery hits home and at her refusal to be anything but true to herself, despite the mould others try to squeeze her into; there are tears as emotions are released, anger at the unfairness of cultural expectation and a will to see Elizabeth Zott succeed – oh, and a clear understanding of rowing, yes, you read that correctly, rowing with oars, in a boat. You’ll have to read the book to understand. It is about the empowerment of women as Elizabeth Zott challenges expectation: ‘you mean women actually want to be scientists?’. Fortunately, not all men are cast as villains (obviously that does not apply to, Meyers, Donatti or Lebensmal). The novel is stylishly written, witty, thought-provoking and shrewdly observant – what else can I say? Read it and see for yourself.