Find the most thought-provoking Lessons in Chemistry book club questions here. This popular feminist historical fiction novel by debut author Bonnie Garmus offers many topics for discussion. You’ll also get free printable book club questions and a bingo card to use as book club resources at your in-person book club. Let’s get literary!
Quick Lessons In Chemistry Summary With Themes
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is a popular book club book because it presents a strong female protagonist and several thought-provoking feminist topics to discuss, including her life as a single working mother during the 1950s and 1960s in America. It’s an especially good book for mothers!
Lessons in Chemistry is a historical fiction book for women that tells the story of the unforgettable character of Elizabeth Zott, a strong, self-assured, self-educated woman who becomes a chemist at a male-dominated research institute. There, she meets and falls in love with another chemist, Calvin Evans, but life soon leaves her a single, jobless mother of Madeline Zott.
She reluctantly and unexpectedly becomes the star of a hit cooking show, “Supper at Six,” where she uses her love of science to challenge women to change the status quo. However, her entire career trajectory is an uphill battle.
Frask is promoted to head of personnel, Donatti is fired, and Elizabeth is offered the chemistry lead. It is revealed that Avery Parker of the Parker Foundation is Calvin’s biological mother and, as an unmarried teen, she gave him up for adoption. She seeks connection, and Elizabeth invites her for supper. The story closes with Elizabeth returning to her lab at Hastings Research Institute.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus primarily explores resilience in overcoming misogyny and grief. It also showcases themes of feminism, single parenthood, and self-actualization in America in the mid-20th century.
It’s filled with themes such as gender roles in the 1950s and 1960s, women in STEM, workplace discrimination, motherhood, single parenting, and more.
Watch the adaptation trailer on Youtube:
Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Questions
A lot has been said about the cover art for this book (namely that it looks more like a modern romance book than feminist fiction). What are your thoughts on the cover art?
Why do you think Garmus chose the era of the 1950s-1960s as the time period of this story?
How may this story differ if it were not set in Southern California?
Why do you think Garmus chose chemistry as Elizabeth Zott’s profession?
Was it significant that Elizabeth Zott was self-educated?
Discuss the pencil as a symbol in Lessons in Chemistry.
What issues did Elizabeth Zott face in her professional life?
What issues do you think Elizabeth Zott would face in her professional life today?
Discuss the end of Elizabeth Zott’s career at the Hastings Research Institute.
How may Elizabeth Zott’s life have been different if she were a man?
How is Elizabeth Zott similar to and different from other women?
How is Calvin Evans similar to and different from his colleagues?
What do Calvin and Elizabeth see in each other?
How did Calvin’s and Elizabeth’s family backgrounds shape them?
Why do you think Garmus incorporated rowing in Lessons in Chemistry?
Discuss Elizabeth’s and the ther characters’ reactions to her pregnancy.
Were you surprised by the way in which Elizabeth Zott became a single mother?
Describe Elizabeth Zott as a single mother.
What challenges does Elizabeth Zott face as a working single mother?
What challenges may Elizabeth Zott face as a working single mother today?
The name “Six-Thirty” is so unique and memorable. What did you think of the name and the character?
Discuss the roles of various friends in Elizabeth Zott’s life.
Discuss the role of faith and religion in Lessons in Chemistry.
Discuss the significance of a cooking show being Elizabeth Zott’s second career.
Describe the similarities and differences between Elizabeth Zott’s jobs.
Why did “Supper at Six” become a hit?
Discuss the role of the Life Magazine article in Elizabeth Zott’s life.
What are Elizabeth Zott’s strengths?
What are Elizabeth Zott’s values?
Discuss the specific acts of sexism in Lessons in Chemistry.
Can you relate to Elizabeth Zott?
Did any of the circumstances Elizabeth Zott faced surprise you?
Did the ending surprise you?
Why do you think Elizabeth Zott made the choices she did at the end?
Discuss the choices Avery Parker made and why she made them.
What do you think would happen next in Elizabeth Zott’s life?
Do you think Elizabeth Zott’s story reflects reality?
Why is Lessons in Chemistry so popular? (over one million copies sold to date)
Bonnie Garmus created a Spotify playlist for Lessons in Chemistry. What you you think of her song choices?
Just for fun, share your favorite recipes and/or cooking tips.
What is the theme of Lessons in Chemistry?
Did you take away anything specific about the theme of feminism from Lessons in Chemistry?
Discuss the tv adaptation of Lessons in Chemistry.
Discuss the significance of Bonnie Garmus’s debut novel (Lessons in Chemistry) being published when she was age 64.
Is Lessons in Chemistry worth reading?
Printable PDF Reading Guide of Discussion Questions and Bingo Card
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Book Club Ideas For Food and Games
- Wear pencils in your hair.
- Pass out your favorite recipes.
- Bring your dog.
- Cook/eat food that has scientific reactions.
- Go rowing.
- Listen to the official Lessons in Chemistry Spotify playlist.
- Discuss/watch the TV adaptation of Lessons in Chemistry.
- Donate time or money to feminist causes.
Book Club Books to Read Next
If you loved these Lessons in Chemistry book club questions, discuss these at your next meeting:
- The Women Book Club Reading Guide (Vietnam War story about strong women)
- Broken Country Book Club Reading Guide (historical mystery with courtroom drama)
- The Frozen River Book Club Reading Guide (historical fiction about a strong woman)
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
