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Lessons in Chemistry

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

INCLUDES AN EXCLUSIVE AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH PANDORA SYKES

Your ability to change everything - including yourself - starts here

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.

But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Forced to resign, she reluctantly signs on as the host of a cooking show, Supper at Six. But her revolutionary approach to cooking, fuelled by scientific and rational commentary, grabs the attention of a nation.

Soon, a legion of overlooked housewives find themselves daring to change the status quo. One molecule at a time.

‘Laugh-out-loud funny and brimming with life, generosity and courage’ RACHEL JOYCE

'A novel that sparks joy with every page' ELIZABETH DAY

'I loved Lessons in Chemistry and am devastated to have finished it!' NIGELLA LAWSON

© Bonnie Garmus 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

 Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Political Romance Women's Fiction Biography Comedy Funny Inspiring Feel-Good

Critic reviews

The most charming, life-enhancing novel I've read in ages. A perfect delight. It's about Elizabeth Zott, a scientist who accidentally becomes a TV cook in the early 1960s. Very strongly recommend
This triumphant feminist fable, wittily observed, is teeming with vivid comic set-pieces
Polished, funny, thought-provoking. Wearing its research lightly but confidently with sentences so stylishly turned it's hard to believe it's a debut ... The real pleasure is in the dry wit of Garmus's writing
Not only is Elizabeth an unforgettable character, so too are her adorable dog Six Thirty and daughter, Mad. This is a truly unique book with some great life lessons
A book that sparks joy with every page. LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY is both funny and rousing: it had me laughing one minute and air-punching the next. Bonnie Garmus has created an unforgettable heroine
It's the world versus Elizabeth Zott, an extraordinary woman determined to live on her own terms, and I had no trouble choosing a side. Lessons in Chemistry is a page-turning and highly satisfying tale: zippy, zesty, and Zotty
Full of humour, heartbreak and characters who feel like real people. This is a book that everyone will be talking about
I haven't loved a character as much as the hero of this joyful, warm debut in a very long time
Absolutely unputdownable. I completely loved it
A transporting read, recommended for fans of Where'd You Go, Bernadette and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel
All stars
Most relevant
This book should be essential listening for all especially men 😀. It is set in the 50’s but the situations it covers haven’t really changed for lots of women or disadvantaged groups . A lot of the lines are laugh out loud hilarious but there are also shocking scenes . Also a surreal dog and precocious child which you just roll with even though a tad unbelievable . All in all a joyous experience . Save it for a long journey or gardening! ☀️👍

Brilliant - tell your friends

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everything about this book was perfect. can't wait for her next book thanks. .

more please

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I liked everything about this book. It gives such an eye opener about how things were for women in the 1960’s and how they still are today in a lot of circumstances. The story is wonderfully written. I cant wait to see the onscreen version.

My favourite book so far

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I loved how the book unraveled and how powerful EZ was in her own ways. Not to strive to fit in but to open the possibility to be honest. All women have to read this! It is an absolutely amazing book!

Unexpected and so rich

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I loved this book. It’s serious, funny and an eye opening commentary on issues of misogyny feminism and humanity.

The characters are so well written that I felt like I knew modern versions of them. The ups and downs had me not wanting to stop and return to my own life for desire to know what happened next. The overall theme of sexism and cultural norms felt so extreme that they were almost funny until you recognise the gritty truth of how things were, how much we have progressed and shockingly how much hasn’t changed.

Everyone should listen to this story

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