Review: Lessons in Chemistry (book vs. tv series)

I hated chemistry in school. Probably due to the teacher, but what do I know? I know that if Elizabeth Zott would’ve been my teacher, I would’ve taken a bit more pleasure in attending the chemistry classes. Who is Elizabeth Zott, you ask? Well, let’s dive in, shall we?

Firstly, let me start by saying that I’ve read this novel as part of Angela and I’s October buddy read! ⚗️ We are having too much fun with this buddy read, honestly! #recommend

Elizabeth Zott is the main character of Lessons in Chemistry, written by Bonnie Garmus and published in 2022. Just like the example Elizabeth sets in the book, so did Bonnie Garmus when she published her debut novel at 65 years old. Lessons in Chemistry remains her only published novel to this date (but hopefully not her last).

Gathered from the interviews that the author gave since the launch of the book, she based the novel on some of her experiences in the workplace. She also talked about how her book, initially titled Introduction to Chemistry, was rejected by tens of publishers because it was “too long”. A few days before Garmus turned 65, the novel was finally published under the title Lessons in Chemistry.

Don’t be a jerk. Don’t hurt other people or animals. Share what you have with others less fortunate.
In other words, be nice.

Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, who is a female chemist in the 1960s, which proves to be very difficult indeed. To this date, we are still battling inequalities and unfairness in the workplace, womens’ rights being questioned everywhere, and so on, but back in the 60s all of this (and more) was at an all time high. I think is because of how often (and sometimes badly – see Barbie) we see this subject approached in the media, once I understood where the book was going and what it was trying to show, I was a bit apprehensive. But I loved the sense of humour, the writing style, and the fact that there was also a dog in the story (I know my weaknesses, and animals is one of them).

I could say the same thing about the Apple TV+ series that was released last year, around October 2023. It was very well done, and it didn’t gross me out with an exaggerated feminist approach. I think I would’ve liked if it didn’t include other social issues of the time, just because I think it made the story heavier somehow, but I get it.

Starring Brie Larson, who shines so bright as Elizabeth Zott, Lessons in Chemistry has been beautifully crafted in 8 episodes of good television. The production, the writing, and the cast are some of the best that made this historical drama to become not just well loved by the audience, but also by the critics. Lessons in Chemistry received Emmy and Golden Globes nominations, among many others, and Bonnie Garmus also served as an executive producer.

We are very much responsible for the badness in the world. And we have the power to fix it.

The main plot is identical with the one presented in the book. However, there are some changes which I’ve noted below.
*spoiler alert*

Elizabeth is presented as s Lab Tech from the start, however she is initially a Chemist in the book
She makes coffee using chemistry instruments in the lab because she has been asked by somebody to make a coffee, but in the book you see her doing so at home for her guests
She gets supplies from Calvin’s office when he is not there, after hours, but in the book this is how they first meet
Liss Miss Hastings Pageant is not a thing in the book, but I like the way they took multiple smaller things from the book and mashed them into this plot that worked well in the end
Calvin doesn’t put in a complaint about Elizabeth in the book
Calvin doesn’t have allergies in the book
Nancy Donatti only appears in the series, thankfully for only a brief scene
Harriet is younger and has 2 young children in the series, probably the biggest change yet
Calvin doesn’t babysit for the neighbour in the book
Calvin and Elizabeth work together only in the series
Elizabeth meets Six-Thirty before her relationship with Calvin, but in the book Six-Thirty is outside their building when Elizabeth return home one night
Harriet’s husband is not bad in the series, but in the book we know from Harriet that he is a horrible person
Calvin teaches (or tries to teach) Elizabeth to swim only in the series
Elizabeth gave Calvin the dog’s leash as a Christmas present, but in the book she makes Calvin use it because of a new law that has been implemented
Six-Thirty’s name is not related to when he was found, but to the time he wakes up Elizabeth every morning; however, in the book his name is related to the time of night Elizabeth finds him
Calvin gets hit by a bus in the series, not a backing police car as it happens in the book
Elizabeth finds out alone that she’s pregnant, but in the book she is made aware of it by Fran
in the series only, Elizabeth gets moved into Admin by Fran following Calvin’s death
Elizabeth doesn’t afford pain medication during labour, but in the series she gets some for free from the nurse
Elizabeth goes to the neighbour instead of being found sleeping on the floor by the neighbour as it happens in the book
Elizabeth and Calvin opened up to each other before he died, but in the series she imagines talking to him about her brother after the fact
in the book, Elizabeth doesn’t work with the Tupperware company
Mad is referred to private school only in the series
Mad and Amanda are not friends in the book
Walter visits Zott’s residence only in the series
in the book, Elizabeth doesn’t invite Fran to one of the shows and she doesn’t employ Fran as her Chief of Staff
Elizabeth’s brother dies by suicide with a firearm, not hanged as it happens in the book
there is no protest in the book, her neighbours’ storyline is totally different – like I said, this was the biggest change
Elizabeth meets Avery differently than she does in the book and I think I prefer the book version more
Walter and Fran have a relationship instead of Walter and the neighbour, because things and characters have been changed and there was no way he could’ve ended up with the neighbour
the ending is different, but kind of in the same vibe as the book