A member of my German book club had suggested this book but despite everyone agreeing to it at first, it wasn't chosen in the end. But I had already ordered the book, so I wanted to read it.
It's hard to describe this book. I would probably declare it as chick-lit though it has some deeper meanings. However, I did like the protagonist a lot, I wish I would have had an Elizabeth Zott in my life when growing up. Even though I am certainly about a decade younger than her, all those obstacles that were placed in the way of women were still around. And there was nobody, absolutely nobody who supported me in my education, not my parents and definitely not my teachers (except for the one in elementary school but he wasn't there anymore later). On the contrary, all I heard was "you will get married and don't need a job". And my boss got a guy in from outside instead of promoting me. For the same reason.
Same as Elizabeth, I had the feeling my whole life that I worked for men less intelligent than me.
The books is described as humorous and there are certain aspects of humour in it, but overal, the sadness is more important and stays more in our memories.
Maybe this story speaks more to a younger audience, it just brought too many bad memories for me. (Although that speaks in favour of the book.) I wouldn't say I disliked the book completly, but it brought me back to a time I'd rather forget. I would have loved to discuss it with my book club and hear what the other women have to say about it.
And last, but not least, some things have changed but not enough. What do you think???
From the back cover:
"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."
"Lessons in Chemistry" has been chosen favourite book of the year 2022 by the German Indepent Book Shops.
I so want to read this book and have it on my reading wishlist!! But I'm overcommitted right now with a busy reading schedule for a while.
ReplyDeleteI think this book sounds like an important read for younger women because it is important for them to realize and understand all of the opportunities they have today that women in previous generations did not have.
My mom will be 76 years old in May this year and she wasn't encouraged to go to college. Instead, she married right out of high school and I was born a year later. My mom wishes she had the college education I obtained as she struggled financially to support the two of us after my parents divorced when I was nine years old.
I'm sorry to hear that about your mum, Lisa. She is not that much older than me. At least, in Germany, I could do an apprenticeship and work for a while before getting married, But I often worked for men less smart than me and resented it my whole life. I am still not happy never have been to university because I know I could have done it.
DeleteSay hi to your mum for me.
Thank you, Marianne, for your kind words. I will pass on your regards to my mother. My mother is smart like you and your parents. I know she would have done well in college had she gone to college right out of high school. There just wasn't the opportunity to do so while I was young after my parents divorced as she had to work full time to support us and when she wasn't working she was taking care of me and the household chores until I grew old enough to help out around the house as a teenager. She pushed me hard to go to college and not rely on a man financially as she didn't want me to go through what she did. My dad was an asshole (and still is) and didn't pay child support regularly and didn't participate in my life much after their divorce. My father and I do not have a relationship, period... No contact whatsoever for almost 28 years now.
DeleteI don't blame you, some men don't deserve to be called father. They were just the sperm donor.
DeleteIt's good that your mother fought for you and enabled you to get an education. That must have been hard.
I really liked this - as you no doubt saw on my post. Agreed that Elizabeth Zott is a *great* character. Wouldn't she be a fantastic friend or neighbour? I was surprised more than once how bad her life was - especially growing up (and her partner too!). It does show how far we've come even if we still have a LONG way to go!
ReplyDeleteI did, thank you, Kitten. You certainly must have seen my comment in the meantime.
DeleteYes, I think I would have loved to meet Elisabeth Zott in real life and I also believe she could have been my friend.
And you are right, we will have a long, long way to go.
This is another one of those books I've been meaning to read, but just haven't...yet. I'm sorry it stirred up so many bad memories for you. It's sad no one supported you in your decision to get more education. Both my parents were teachers, so they were very much in favor of me and my sisters going to college; and my grandmother was a teacher, too, and while neither of my grandfathers were able to go to college, they both loved reading anything and everything because they never wanted to stop learning. I was lucky to have a family that valued lifelong learning.
ReplyDeleteMy parents were quite smart, as well, but they grew up during the war and had not chance of getting an education, so they thought I would not need it, either. Also, I had three younger brothers and there was little money. While schools and universities didn't cost, just paying for transportation, books etc. was too much, so I had to get an apprenticeship. That's not the same as a university education but also worth more than just school. I would have loved to become a teacher but had no chance.
DeleteI also liked this book. I loved the way Elizabeth went through life and managed to adapt in a good way.
ReplyDeleteShe was a woman who had to. We all have to fight a lot harder than any man. Thanks, Lisbeth.
DeleteI benefited from women like Elizabeth who managed to find a way in a world that didn't accept women. And, at the same, time I forged some paths for younger women since I chose computer science as my first career. There were classes where I was the only woman.
ReplyDeleteI think we all do. Unfortunately, when I needed them most, I had no access to that kind of literature. I'm glad it helped women from the next generation.
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