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This post contains book club questions for Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. If you have not yet read the book these questions may contain spoilers.
Lessons in Chemistry is a debut novel about a female chemist in the 1960's. Elizabeth Zott is a hard-headed, driven female lead in a profession run by men. Constantly met with backlash for her progressive work, Zott is a force to be reckoned with. When she finds herself cast out of the scientific community, she lands a gig as a cooking show host and strives to make an impact in the life of women.
Barnes & Noble awarded the novel their "2022 Book of the Year."
If you are looking for your next book club book, this one will make for a great discussion on women's rights. The story touches on grief, sexism, sexual assault, unequal pay, and the hardships of women in the 1950's and 60's.
If you've been wondering about a Lessons in Chemistry movie, you'll be happy to hear that Apple TV cast Brie Larson as Elizabeth Zott in a series set to air sometime in 2023.
For the 8.5x11 printable version of the book club questions click here, or continue to the questions below.
Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Questions:
1) Elizabeth was treated incredibly unfairly, and even though she was fiery she still wasn’t always able to protect herself. How would you have reacted to some of the situations in the book? Would you have acted similarly or differently? Why do you think the character acted the way he or she did?
- Many of Elizabeth’s male co-workers had to come to her for help, would you have been willing to help them knowing that you wouldn’t receive any of the credit? Why do you think that she did?
- Elizabeth’s boss stole her work on abiogenesis and passed it off as his own. What would you have tried to do in this situation?
- Would you have confronted Mr. Pine when you found out his daughter was eating Mad’s lunch every day?
2) This novel featured a strong cast of characters. Which character did you relate to most? Why?
3) Elizabeth faces many struggles in the workplace as a woman. Why do you think that it was important for her to continue a career in chemistry, as opposed to going down the road of least resistance and becoming a homemaker?
4) The novel touches on grief and the blame that survivors place on themselves. How do you think Elizabeth coped with feeling responsible for Calvin’s death (suggesting the leash and going to work alone)? Do you think she ever forgave herself?
5) Calvin’s mother had sought him out at the boy’s home while he was still there. But the bishop lied and said that Calvin was deceased. Discuss how this one lie impacted the lives of so many.
6) Elizabeth speaks of her disdain for how easy it was for her father to con people. How do you think this influenced the way that Elizabeth wanted to be portrayed on television?
More Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Questions below
7) Calvin and Elizabeth were so different yet complimented each other so perfectly. He made the most important decision for his future based on the weather, whereas Elizabeth would have handled a decision much more methodically. How do you handle decision making? Did you find Calvin’s reasoning ridiculous or inspiring?
8) Both Calvin and Elizabeth had difficult upbringings and experienced great losses. Calvin losing his parents, his aunt, and growing up in a boy’s home. And Elizabeth constantly moving, having a distant relationship with her parents, and losing her brother. How do you think these hardships impacted their relationship with each other and the relationships they had with the other people in their lives?
9) Mad is already incredibly educated and aware of how the world works. First, what were your feelings on Mad and her intelligence level as a 4-year-old? And second, how do you imagine her life panning out?
10) Six-Thirty was an adorable addition to this novel. What level of capacity do you think dogs have to understand us and our vocabulary?
This post contained book club questions for Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
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