Bonnie Garmus’s debut novel, “Lessons in Chemistry,” originally published in 2022, arrived in Vietnam in June of that year. The book has garnered international acclaim, selling rights to 42 countries in less than two years and inspiring a film adaptation starring Brie Larson.

The cover of "Lessons in Chemistry," a 440-page book, jointly published by Nha Nam and Van Hoc Publishing House. Photo: Nha Nam

Set in the 1960s, the novel revolves around single mother Elizabeth Zott, a “tall and angular” woman with “butter-yellow hair swept back and held with a pencil, a full mouth of defiant red lipstick, bright white skin, and a straight nose.” A chemist by profession, Elizabeth faces a lack of recognition in her field. To provide for her daughter, she sets aside her scientific aspirations and becomes the reluctant host of “Supper at Six,” a cooking show for homemakers. Elizabeth infuses her culinary instructions with chemistry lessons, inspiring women to take charge of their lives and pursue their passions.

The novel opens with Elizabeth’s romance with Calvin Evans, a Nobel Prize-nominated scientist. They meet at the Hastings Research Institute where she works and quickly fall in love. Unlike many men of that era, Calvin respects and supports Elizabeth’s ambitions, even proposing marriage, which she declines to focus on her career. Tragedy strikes when Calvin dies in an accident, and Elizabeth discovers she is pregnant. Facing rumors and accusations of using Calvin for career advancement, she is unjustly fired.

The novel condemns the injustices faced by women at the time. Elizabeth and her female colleagues experience harassment and have their research stolen. The book depicts a society that believed “men went to work and did important things—discovered planets, developed products, formulated laws—while women stayed home and raised children.” The author highlights the disheartening reality that women were often denied the education needed for fulfilling careers. “And even if they did manage to get to university, they’d never get into a place like Cambridge. Which meant they wouldn’t be given the same opportunities.”

While she accepts the television job out of necessity, Elizabeth quietly ignites a revolution. She dismantles the stereotypical image of the “bouffant-haired, cinch-waisted, cozy-set” television hostess, “the sexy wife/adoring mother figure every man wanted to see when he came home from work,” and tells millions of women that their work is sacred.

In one episode, she declares, “There’s nothing about being a housewife that isn’t extraordinary. In my experience, far too many people underestimate the work and sacrifice it takes to be a wife, a mother, a woman.”

With humor, she compares food to chemical compounds and nutrients: “Many people believe spinach makes you strong, but the truth is, spinach contains a high quantity of oxalic acid, a substance that inhibits iron absorption. So when Popeye says he’s strong to the finish ‘cause he eats his spinach, don’t believe it.” The show sparks positive change, inspiring one viewer to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor and leave a loveless marriage.

Despite the show's success, Elizabeth's scientific aspirations remain. The novel concludes with her resuming her research, supported by a network of women including her daughter, Madeline; her neighbor, Harriet; and her former colleague, Frask. Together, they defy societal expectations and gender biases.

The novel champions female empowerment and self-love. It advises, “Motherhood is the hardest job on earth. Take some time for yourself. Some time where you put yourself first. Just you. In that moment, whatever it is you need, you want, you seek, reconnect with it.” The author also argues against relegating women solely to domestic roles, emphasizing their potential in various fields, from office work to scientific research.

According to The Guardian, with her sharp wit, Garmus has crafted a humorous tale centered on a protagonist who remains unflappable in the face of adversity. Rejecting societal expectations, Elizabeth lives for herself and her daughter, encouraging Madeline to read science books, watch chemistry experiments, and play sports.

However, the novel's narrative perspective occasionally falters, with the inclusion of multiple minor characters sometimes disrupting the flow.

Bonnie Garmus, 68, an American copywriter and creative director in technology, healthcare, and education, received several awards for “Lessons in Chemistry” in 2022, including the British Book Awards’ Author of the Year, the Waterstones Award, and the Paul Torday Memorial Prize for a debut novel by an author over 60.

Chau Anh