Book Notes | ‘Lessons in Chemistry’
Our book group broke a record: all 14 members enjoyed reading this month’s selection, Lessons in Chemistry, a story set in the late 1950s and 1960s. We liked the characters, especially the intrepid chemist Elizabeth Zott who stayed strong in spite of attempts to quash (and steal) her pioneering work and fought unwanted sexual advances.
When she landed work at the Hastings Research Institute, she and Nobel Prize winner Calvin Evans fell in love and lived together for two years. Mad, their daughter, was born after Calvin's quirky, accidental death.
Fired from Hastings, Elizabeth developed a lab in her kitchen. When offered a chance to host a TV show, "Supper at Six, " she did it her own way—teaching women chemistry as she cooked and raising her viewers' sense of self-worth. The show became wildly popular.
Some elements of the book felt implausible, but, as one member commented, "It's like opera, you just go with it." Our group liked Elizabeth's precocious daughter Mad, their thoughtful dog Six-Thirty, who learned hundreds of words, and the men who cared for Elizabeth.
One book club member said the novel reminds us of where we were; another said we must tell our stories to the next generation. We shared some real-life examples, remembering when women were excluded from the University of Minnesota Marching Band and the U's Campus Club. Other restrictions on women raised in our discussion included a married woman not being able to attend nursing school in 1957; a wife not able to buy a car without a signature from her husband or father.
One member was part of the Shyamala Rajender sexual discrimination case against the University of Minnesota 50 years ago and reminded us how that landmark lawsuit affected departments throughout the University.
I'd say Lessons in Chemistry is a “must read” book.
— Judy Helgen, UMRA Book Club I
Book Club I in September
Fri, Sep 15, 2023, 2pm
Judy Helgen will lead the discussion of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 15.
Email Pat Tollefson for more information, including suggestions for starting a new book club.
Go to Book Notes to read summaries of the book club members' discussions.
Upcoming Events
Jane Kirtley, JD, will be the guest speaker for UMRA’s luncheon forum on Tuesday, November 18. She will discuss challenges to preserving academic freedom and independent speech during the Trump Administration, and how institutions should respond to the unprecedented attacks on their independence.
Cathy Lee Gierke will present photos and talk about her cruise on the Rhine river, Italian Switzerland, Lake Como and Iceland -- and the history, culture and geology along the way.
Librarian Naomi Skulan and Associate Professor Kevin Whalen will present research on the Sacred Heart School for Indians and Morris Industrial School for Indians.
Book Club I will discuss An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Please join Michael Luxenberg on Monday, December 1, for a hike that is approximately 5 miles in length at an average pace of roughly 18–20 minutes per mile for our second hike this fall in the beautiful Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington.
Everyone's tax situation is different. Consult with a tax professional to come up with a financial plan well before year end.
There are a few fun events coming up at the Campus Club that are open to everyone. See these events on the Campus Club Facebook and Instagram.
The customary November 4th Friday is the Thanksgiving weekend. Unless otherwise noted, we will meet Friday, December 5th.
The Campus Club in Minneapolis is inviting UMRA members to participate in focus group discussions this fall, to provide insight on the U of M retiree experience and generate ideas about how the Campus Club can serve our retiree community.
When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut.
Hey UMRA Gopher fans! Here’s a great opportunity to join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gopher Women’s Hockey team when they face off against the St. Thomas Tommies in Ridder Arena.
The theme for December is historical family photos.
There are a few fun events coming up at the Campus Club that are open to everyone. See these events on the Campus Club Facebook and Instagram.
Meeting to plan books for next year.
The theme for January is great MN views.
When you are of Icelandic descent you can trace your ancestors back to around 1200 and sometimes further.
Bleak House by Charles Dickens.
Here’s another great opportunity to buy discounted tickets and join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gophers when the Women’s Basketball team hosts the Purdue Boilermakers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on February 1.
UMRA’s special event for this winter will again be a celebration of brighter days and the approaching end of winter. We’ll have food, fellowship, and music provided by Urban Sound, one of the University’s premier student a cappella ensembles.