One of the things I like best about being Gay is that I can read any book I want to. When I was ”straight,” I always thought I had to read books where a man was one of the main characters. I was always afraid to be seen with a book about women or where a lady was the main character. Not today, I can read whatever I want.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garnus made me so glad to be, Gay. It was fun, insightful, smart and had me choked up a few times especially at the end. It is her first novel and I will be first in line to try another of hers. After reading a few heavy books in a row it is nice to pick something up that is just fun, honest and actually a bit thought provoking.
The novel centers around Elizabeth Zott it is 1961. Elizabeth is a gifted researcher in chemistry, totally self assured and immune to what anyone thinks of her. In the space of a few years, she falls in love but will not marry, has a child who she loves very much,finds a dog who becomes her closest friend and looses her job at the Laboratory where she works.
Elizabeth is offered a job to host a cooking show. Out of desperation she takes so she can support her daughter and herself. Of course, she raises the ire of the shows producers, but will not be anything except true to herself. ELizabeth’s refusal to, “play the game,” in the end is what makes her a star.
