My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely love love LOVE this book. First of all, let me start of by saying the author has done such a great job making this somehow very relatable and realistic that it constantly made me feel like Elizabeth Zott must exist somewhere!
Elizabeth is the literal definition of extraordinary (to which Elizabeth would respond by disapproving that any standards distinguishing people between “normal” and “not-normal” don’t exist). In fact, almost everything about her doesn’t seem to fit the “average” standards of women in the 60s: she’s an atheist, chemist, and a single mother.
But I refuse to define her with certain words. She cannot be defined in such simplicity. Despite her unyielding efforts in her career as a chemist while also managing being a single mother, she keeps facing waves of disapproval and all kinds of problems from everywhere. Yet, she pushes through them. That’s what I liked so much about Elizabeth. She is the most resilient female character I’ve ever seen. She doesn’t let the forces of authorities to quench her down whether if it’s through ludicrous insults or inappropriate behaviors. She stays firm in her decision and doesn’t budge even a little.
Also one thing I loved about this book is not exclusively about the characters! I think I tend to focus on the way the author writes when deciding whether I like that book or not, but this book… This book is such a good example of “witty.” What the characters say, the little metaphors the author keeps putting in between, the witty way of describing the events — they all made this book especially riveting and engaging.
As a person who HATES being submissive, dismissed with simple flattery instead of my actual work, be belittled by authorities, yet often fails to boldly show my true opinions, it made me admire Elizabeth — that is, almost revere! I often find myself torn between unmistakable defiance to refuse to submit to others’ expectations and the familiar comfort of just accepting them… So this book gave me this vicarious experience of truly being oneself and the liberating, indulging feeling that follows…