A runaway favourite of book clubs the world over, Bonnie Garmus’s debut novel Lessons in Chemistry transports readers to early 1960s California. Elizabeth Zott – single mother and brilliant chemist – unexpectedly finds herself hosting a television cooking show, and changes hearts and minds in the process. Inspired by Garmus’s mother’s generation of overlooked and under-acknowledged women, Lessons in Chemistry examines the gender pay gap, misogyny in the workplace and women’s rights.

At her only Melbourne event on her first Australian tour, Garmus sits down with host Astrid Edwards to discuss her breakthrough novel. Together, they explore her funny and feisty heroine, the surprising fan phenomenon of Six-Thirty the dog, and how the novel’s historical setting sheds light on the truths of today. 

This event was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture.

It was recorded on May 21st 2024 at Melbourne Town Hall.

The official bookseller was Readings.

Featured music is ‘Traveling Again’ by Sarah the Illstrumentalist.

Disclaimer: If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, the transcript was automatically generated by Apple's AI and is not affiliated with The Wheeler Centre. AI transcripts may contain errors.