A member we haven’t seen for a while – life gets in the way of even such simple pleasures as our book club! – came by the desk last week because she really enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and she was inspired to reread The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Several other people stopped to comment on how much they like the book, and more copies were checked out than people attend our meetings. This month, we have joined a community of readers greater than ourselves. I know this has been true of other books, but it felt remarkable because I had expected a humorous light read, based on the U.S. book cover, and instead found it dark and triggering. 

Book Bistro to the rescue! Our first responder had mixed feelings about the book. She enjoyed it well enough but was disappointed by the Hollywood ending. Our next felt that there was too much male-bashing, lists of stereotypes and discrimination. Another member enjoyed the novel; it kept her interest. She loved the dog. As a retired teacher she was horrified by Mrs. Mumford, and she loved the effect that the neighbor Harriet had on the family. As we continued around the table, our next responder said she liked how the various threads came together and she appreciated the happy ending.

How did our male readers respond to the book? One member said that he found the portrayal of men to be accurate. Too many men trying to control women’s bodies. He also found it laugh-out-loud funny. His favorite zinger was when Walter said he was waiting for the right moment to tell his daughter that he and she weren’t actually related. “Her fortieth birthday.” He loved that Elizabeth Zott’s daughter’s name is Mad. He loved the book. A little too wonderful to be true, but he believes it is about the journey. Another man said that he accepted the book as a period piece. He has a boss who deserves the bashing even today, noting that a human resources seminar on discrimination has tempered his boss’ behavior for the time being. My husband, who is also in the book club, had enjoyed it until I started to react to it. And another male member said that it is a good thing we’re in a book club to get different views! He thought there were plenty of good men in Lesson’s in Chemistry and he also found it laugh-out-loud funny, such as when Elizabeth Zott announced that Popeye was wrong about spinach! And when several of us laughed about Zott explaining on live TV which mushrooms could kill, another member said, “who needs mushrooms? You could kill with lots of salt and added fat!”

We had some discussion of seeming religion-bashing in the book, but even our most religious readers seemed nonplussed. One of us asked when people started talking about the autistic spectrum rather than just autism, and another mentioned the bevy of terms now used, including neurodivergent and neurospicy. One of us wanted to answer the first official book club question, which asks if we think libraries are still important. He was effusive in describing how The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District has provided important opportunities for him and his partner. Another member wondered if other districts offer such variety, calling out our music performances, art classes and Spanish class. We also answered question two and agreed that the pencil Elizabeth Zott wore in her hair was both a weapon and a symbol of strength. We didn’t get too far answering question five about what “smart” means to us. We don’t believe that a dog can learn 1000 words. It is interesting that of the eleven in the room, at least seven have experience in education.

As always, there is plenty I have missed and more we could have discussed. I opened the meeting with a simple science experiment mixing baking soda, citric acid and water to make an instant cold pack. Many of us don’t ever outgrow our fascination with chemical reactions. Maybe that also is why Lessons in Chemistry resonates. We don’t have to totally understand or agree to enjoy or appreciate. I received an email just before the meeting from a member who couldn’t make it, but his response to the book captured so well the acceptance of Elizabeth Zott as our hero and role model, as well as some of the faults. I will post it as a comment on the journal. The time we take – reading, writing, discussing – is powerful. YOU are powerful. 

• Other works discussed:
• The Feminine Mystique (1963) by Betty Friedan
• Remarkably Bright Creatures (2022) by Shelby Van Pelt
• Big Bang Theory (2007 – 2019 T.V. Show)
• Young Sheldon (2017 – 2024 T.V. Show)
• Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017 – 2023 Prime Video T.V. Show) 
• Lessons in Chemistry (2023 Apple T.V. Mini-series)