Lessons in Chemistry · Historical
Book summary
A 1960s chemist becomes the unlikely star of a daytime cooking show that becomes a feminist movement. A club-favorite historical pick — our members spent a full month with Lessons in Chemistry, unpacking its structure, its heart, and the questions it leaves behind.
Second read for me, and it's a different book the second time. Whoever flagged the recurring water imagery — thank you, I can't unsee it now. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 10
This is the pick that made me rejoin the club, honestly. The secondary characters carry more weight than they get credit for. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 287
Our little side-thread on the middle section was the best part of the month. Structurally it reminded me of last spring's pick, but warmer. Bumping the author's backlist to the top of my stack.
❤️ 317
This is the pick that made me rejoin the club, honestly. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Would happily do a re-read discussion next year.
❤️ 287
Our little side-thread on the middle section was the best part of the month. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. Already lent my copy out twice.
❤️ 277
I had to pause halfway through and just sit with it. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Five stars from me.
❤️ 317
Our little side-thread on the middle section was the best part of the month. Structurally it reminded me of last spring's pick, but warmer. Solid four stars, and a full five for the ending.
❤️ 287
I annotated so heavily the margins ran out. There's a generosity in how the author treats even the awful characters. Still thinking about that final line.
❤️ 277
Read it out loud to my partner in the evenings — highly recommend that way. It's a quiet book with a very loud ending. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 9
I had to pause halfway through and just sit with it. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 287
Finished this one in two sittings and I'm still turning the last chapter over. The secondary characters carry more weight than they get credit for. Would happily do a re-read discussion next year.
❤️ 299
The structure is the argument here, and I don't think I clocked that until the discussion. I loved how little it explains itself. Bumping the author's backlist to the top of my stack.
❤️ 250
This is the pick that made me rejoin the club, honestly. The secondary characters carry more weight than they get credit for. Thanks to everyone who posted here — made the read twice as good.
❤️ 260
The structure is the argument here, and I don't think I clocked that until the discussion. Structurally it reminded me of last spring's pick, but warmer. One of my favourites from the archive.
❤️ 299
This is the pick that made me rejoin the club, honestly. Every scene has a door in it. Someone in chat pointed that out and I lost my mind. Still thinking about that final line.
❤️ 250
The structure is the argument here, and I don't think I clocked that until the discussion. I loved how little it explains itself. Solid four stars, and a full five for the ending.
❤️ 299
This is the pick that made me rejoin the club, honestly. The secondary characters carry more weight than they get credit for. Five stars from me.
❤️ 250
The structure is the argument here, and I don't think I clocked that until the discussion. Structurally it reminded me of last spring's pick, but warmer. Already lent my copy out twice.
❤️ 289
Finished this one in two sittings and I'm still turning the last chapter over. The secondary characters carry more weight than they get credit for. Would happily do a re-read discussion next year.
❤️ 260
Second read for me, and it's a different book the second time. Whoever flagged the recurring water imagery — thank you, I can't unsee it now. Bumping the author's backlist to the top of my stack.
❤️ 290
