Language
Country/Area
No result found
Why did "Chemistry Lesson" succeed after changing its name? The story behind it from the first draft to a best-seller!
Before Bonnie Garmus's debut novel, Chemistry Lesson, gained widespread popularity, the book was originally titled "Introduction to Chemistry." According to the author's recollection, this name change process was not only an image reshaping, but also an important milestone in her literary journey. This book not only attracted the attention of readers within a few months of publication, but also became the 2022 Barneys and Nob Book of the Year. As 2023 approaches, it has been borrowed more times than any other public library. top, becoming one of the most popular books.
Garmus mentioned in an interview that she experienced countless hardships and challenges during the creative process, and even 98 publishers rejected her first draft, thinking that the content was "too long."
Garmus was inspired by her experience as a creative director at an advertising agency, specifically a meeting in which a male colleague stole her idea. This feeling of sexism in the workplace led her to create the protagonist Elizabeth Zott into a strong and brave female character. Drawing on his own experiences, Garmus set Zott as both a leading chemist and a beloved cooking show host in 1960s Southern California.
Garmus mentioned that while writing "Chemistry Lesson", she became a full-time copywriter, taught herself some basic chemistry knowledge, and tried various experiments from "The Chemistry Experiment Book". Every mistake she made kept the fire brigade busy, and they even visited her apartment twice because of excessive flames!
The main narrative line of "Chemistry Lesson" revolves around Elizabeth Zott's rough life: she was expelled from the doctoral program due to sexual assault, worked as a laboratory technician at Hastings Institute, and experienced emotional ups and downs. and faced the challenges of losing her job after becoming pregnant, eventually transforming her kitchen into a research lab. Zott's story is not just a struggle for survival, but also a woman's pursuit of self-identity and a voice for herself.
What impressed many people was the special connection between Elizabeth Zott and her dog Six-Thirty. This transcendent emotional exchange not only showed her loneliness, but also reflected on family, friendship and love. Even though she encountered many difficulties, Zott still bravely pursued her ideals, which has become a symbol of modern female independence.
Many critics have praised this novel one after another. Many people believe that it shows the tenacity and wisdom of women. Together with the humorous and profound descriptions in the novel, the overall story is fascinating. As one reviewer put it: "This is a thoughtful book that recalls important moments in the women's rights movement."
The success of this book is not limited to the text. Its influence has penetrated into the cultural and media fields. Recently, Apple TV+ has adapted it into a miniseries, further expanding its influence. It is worth noting that Garmus gave limited input on the adaptation of the play, which also shows her persistence and confidence in the original creation.
As this novel shows, the multi-dimensional shaping of female characters often involves striking a balance between resistance and obedience, and learning to speak out bravely as they grow up. As the book sold like hotcakes, many readers also resonated with Garmus' story, which is perhaps the most touching aspect of modern literature.
"Chemistry Lesson" has always been well received in the literary world, and its book reviews continue to show that Garmus's readership is constantly expanding, and people are familiar with and identify with her Zott. All this stems from her spirit of taking risks and facing life's challenges resolutely.
After all, is the success of this book just because of the spark brought about by her name change, or is it the thinking and stories behind it that make people reflect?
