Bonnie Garmus on her "subversive" novel "Lessons in Chemistry"
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- After a decades-long career as a copywriter, Bonnie Garmus tried to sell her first novel; it was rejected 98 times. But her dogged determination paid off; her first published novel, "Lessons in Chemistry," has spent more than a year on the New York Times bestseller list and been translated into 40 languages. Garmus talks with correspondent Tracy Smith about Elizabeth Zott, her "subversive" heroine created in honor of her own mother.
#BonnieGarmus #writers #writing
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This book reminds me of my friend's mom who got a PhD in biochemistry in Scotland in 1960. After her now husband proposed during college, her father said that she shouldn't marry until after she finished her PhD because once babies came, she would have her studies interrupted. She listened to her father, finished her PhD, raised a wonderful family, and had a brilliant career. Her father was clearly an enlightened man for the late 1950/60s. Being a biochemist and chef myself, I totally get what it is to be in a man's man's man's world. Elizabeth Zott is my hero.
My mom was not a scientist, but this book reminded me of her. A widow with 3 kids (2-1-newborn) at age 26 in 1959. Her husband's friends would come by to help with house, lawn, etc. She was accused of being a "MERRY WIDOW." Freaking busy-body neighbors. Her doctor told her she had "battle fatigue" symptoms.
Just driving to grocery store was a hardship with 3 boys climbing all over the VW Beetle she had. She would wedge the 3 stooges into the window-well/bucket area behind the backseat of the Bug so that she could drive in peace.
Good for this lady! I have been reading a lot lately about new authors debuting later in life. With writing, it's truly never too late!
Having read this book, and having thoroughly enjoyed it, its origins make all the more interesting. The people lining up to get their copies signed remind me of Ms. Zott's "Supper at Six" fans in the book. Art and life imitating each other. To summarize, the author wrote a story about a protagonist rewriting her story, and in so doing re-wrote HER own story.
Just read it. Really good. My mother was a secretary for GE in the 60s and had stories of the good ole boys keeping women down, hiring men from outside the company instead of moving woman up the ladder. She eventually became a contract negotiator. She had a full bookshelf of books on how to get ahead at the office.
I've been applying to jobs left and right even to several internships, one as far as stating I didn't have experience for it (it's an internship!!) to progress and move forward only to rejected at the end. This gives me hope, to never give up.
You can change your story. Love this!
Bonnie Garmus is my hero!! I have kids, one adopted from Asia, love books, and aspire to write something that meaningful to others and to befriend a greyhound in this 7th decade of life.
I love "constructive anger", simply brilliant! Loving the series too! ❤
I’m in the middle of reading this book, she’s a great writer and seems like a very nice and authentic person too.
I love this book! I am so grateful our local library has it!
I loved this book. It struck so many chords with me even though I was in the work place twenty years later and never felt as smart or empowered as Elizabeth was.
Just finished this and I loved it! I thought of my mom, who was born in 1934. She was very smart but didn’t have the opportunity to get an education. There’s no-telling what she could’ve done had she been born 20-30 years later.
Congratulations to her and the adaptation! 👏🏽
I just started this book, a week ago and am absolutely hooked. I can't wait to see the movie.
So inspiring! We can change are story and believe in what you are here to do on this planet. Even if it takes how many 48 rejections and nearly a lifetime to create? Thank you for this! Saving it to my Inspirations playlist ❤
I am a retired Medical Laboratory Technologist who specialized in Clinical Chemistry. I'm also an octogenarian still fascinated by chemistry. Almost all of my supervisors were highly talented, intelligent woman. I will be reading "Lessons in Chemistry" - Kindle edition - and look forward to watching the series.
I will check it out. Bravo for her getting published !!
Came across her book at Costco and decided to buy after reading the first page. I definitely recommend!
At which Costco did you get it?
Loved this book. It was rated 9/10 with our book club of 23 years.
Simply a remarkable book. One of my favorites
Excellent! May we all thrive as well.
I had seen this book and now I’m running to go buy it.❤
Now I HAVE to read this book. She's a hoot.
Can’t wait to see this movie, hope I can view it on something more then Apple TV!
Her debut novel was released in her 60s, this is totally motivating and inspiring for anyone who wants to do anything creative later in life, it's never too late!
A good read! Cheers to Bonnie Garmus!
Saw the movie trailer and bought the book!!!😊
Reading this as of this morning and it’s Lovely!!!! ❤❤
One of the best books I’ve read…..keep writing
It’s a jewel of a book. Absolutely must to read ❤
This is a fantastic show. Now, it’s off to read the book.
Can’t wait to read, I am on hold with library (Libby)!
Just finished the book and Goggle her to see if she wrote others. I need more 😍😍😍
Really enjoyed the book! For the record, there were no rowing machines referred to as “ergs” until the 1970. But I figured Calvin was ahead of his time in this respect too.
I love that she'd wake up in the middle of the night to check her email. That's so relatable.
I cant wait to read this.
My aunt have me a copy and I have been putting off reading it until now ❤
I'm sending my colossal love for u r book from India. It's fabulously riveting n hit the right chord. I'm an avid reader but i sigh heavily at more than 250 pages but I couldn't stop myself from completing it. This books kills all those self help books which sound listless for non readers. Ur book is capable of kindling interest in beginniners. In piecemeal I finished it n till the end it hooked me for a gem to cross by. Go on to bring a few more to our shelves. Love u Bonnie Garmus for what a beautiful woman u r
What a fantastic book - this is so well written - whilst laws may have changed for the better, sadly many attitudes haven't, and some of those laws don't work in practice.
I lived through that period!
Adore this book!
Loved this book!
I absolutely loved Lessons in Chemistry. The main character Elizabeth Zott is nothing like me. Yet, I identified with her. As a writer myself, I've experienced a lot of rejection. Bonnie Garmus's example is inspiring. Thanks for featuring her.
I might check out this book
I loved it and gave it to two people for Christmas. Surprisingly different tone and story.
Great book
Now I have to ignore my TBR stack and read this first!
Excellent book
And now she was given a shout out in Jeopardy!
Excellent book❤
Perfect for my next read! Yaaayyy!
you can change your story.
Love her!
She looks a lot like Blythe Danner 🙏
Pencils are FORBIDDEN in labs .. you must always write in ink and only use a single strike through line to retract something. It's imperative that everything is recorded, for better or for worse. No erasing!!!
of all the stuff that is great in this story, you harp on triviality. You must be a real joy. "Look at that discarded pop can in that field of wildflowers that stretches to the horizon."
Loved this book so much. I have recommended it to more people than I can count. Can’t believe it was turned down 98 times. Those editors/proof readers should be fired.
Did you watch the video??? It wasn’t turned down 98 times. She was working on another book first that was turned down….
Great book!
Women don’t have to be wives and mothers, no matter how much society pressures you
This is like J.K. Rowling. Keep it up!
Having read this book...she lost my attention with her TV time...I worked in TV in the 70s and 80s and her description was a myth. She was a kid when I was working in my chosen career
I loved this book! I have told all my friends about it! One of my favs of all time.
What was that idea the little boy stole from her?
What I would like to know is how do editors live with themselves when they reject a manuscript and then learn that a competitor published it and now it's a blockbuster? Are they allowed to live when their bosses find out?
“To the death!” Wonderful motto!
Loved this book
I’m quite surprised that the woman in the book is strong and confident. The book’s cover art indicates cutesy and feminine in the old sense of the word. It looks like Valley of the Dolls, a book about pre-feminist women surviving in a man’s world and being miserable. Glad to find out more about this best seller.
The writer never gets to choose the art for the cover. That's why there are so many that have absolutely no relationship to the actual book!
I love the cover!!!! Made me so curious and want to pick it up to see what was inside. I am ultra girly and SUPER FEMINIST ❤❤❤ We all view the world differently 😊
American book covers tend to be boring. I really love comparing cover art from different countries through the translated versions of the same book. I haven't checked this particular book, but in general I feel European countries often have more interesting covers.
neighbor went to her book talk. Ms Garmus has control of the paperback cover. She loathed the hardback cover.
@1:43 My approach to dating
The book is perfect! The movie is not true to it.
I found the book unrealistic and cheesy :(
❤❤🎉❤🎉🎉❤🎉❤❤
Subversive? She's so square!!
🙄🙄🙄
HARD PASS
Simplistic drivel, with one- dimensional characters that Chat GPT would be ashamed of. One of the worst books I've ever read in my life, a book for people who hate reading.
One of the worst books I've ever read
On page 49 and bored. If you lived in the 60’s this is all familiar. Author protests about God a lot she she must be confused herself. Glad I did not purchase but got it at the library.
Yes is was a formula- I would not recommend it
This book sucks. It is really not """subversive""" at all. I had to read it for school--largely just standard weird heteronormative nonsense repackaged as "woke."
[... lol ... ssshhush now ,
ur ('spuritual'-)
immaturity
IS SHOW-ING !!!
... meta-communication
IS-A-'Thing' 😉 ...]
Is it somehow wrong to write about the life of a character that is "normal", one in many within the majority of the people? Is it wrong that there is, and has to be, a normal majority. Even using the word normal has become "subversive" now, although it means just that there is a segment of population that makes the majority of people in society. Should one feel ashamed of being a normie? Should all normies strive to join a minority of some kind? Is that how you become a better person? But how would you organize a society without a large segment of normies? How can you decide anything politically if all people are divided in their bubbles? And wasn't this book about past times? Society was different just yesterday.
Was there no experience or character in the book you could identify with? I am like none of these women on the surface but I feel deeply for them. It’s one of the best things about reading - to find yourself in a world you would otherwise not know, and care about people who seem so different from yourself (but really aren’t).
@@Liisa3139 There is absolutely nothing wrong with writing about "normal" people doing normal things. But don't call it subversive lmao.