Bonnie Garmus on her "subversive" novel "Lessons in Chemistry"

CBS Sunday Morning
11 Jun 202306:14
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRBonnie Garmus, author of the best-selling debut novel 'Lessons in Chemistry,' shares her journey to success, which includes overcoming 98 rejections and drawing inspiration from her mother and personal experiences. Her book, a subversive tale of a 1950s chemist and mom, has resonated with readers, inspiring life changes and is set to become an Apple TV series starring Brie Larson.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Bonnie Garmus, the author of 'Lessons in Chemistry,' has experienced a successful debut with her novel becoming a sensation.
  • 🌟 Her book has been on the New York Times bestsellers list for 56 weeks and has been translated into 40 languages.
  • 🎬 An Apple TV series adaptation of 'Lessons in Chemistry' is in the works, starring Oscar winner Brie Larson.
  • 📖 Garmus wrote the novel after a long career in copywriting and a personal experience of having her idea stolen at work.
  • 🚀 Despite being rejected 98 times, Garmus persisted in her writing, illustrating the importance of resilience in the literary world.
  • 💭 The novel is set in the 1950s and 1960s and features a protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, who is a chemist, a mom, and a cooking show host.
  • 🌐 The book has been described as 'subversive', challenging traditional norms and empowering women to embrace their true selves.
  • 👩 Garmus drew inspiration from her mother, a nurse who had to stop working due to pregnancy, and included a tribute to her in the book.
  • 🔬 To write authentically, Garmus taught herself chemistry and even conducted some experiments, though not all were successful.
  • 🏃‍♀️ Elizabeth Zott's character is also a rower, a sport Garmus is personally familiar with, adding depth to the character's portrayal.
  • 💌 Readers have been inspired by Garmus's story and the novel's message, leading to life changes and personal growth.
Q & A

  • Who is the author of the debut novel that has become a sensation?

    -Bonnie Garmus is the author of the debut novel that has become a sensation.

  • What is the title of Bonnie Garmus' debut novel?

    -The title of Bonnie Garmus' debut novel is 'Lessons in Chemistry'.

  • How many weeks has 'Lessons in Chemistry' been on the New York Times bestsellers list?

    -'Lessons in Chemistry' has been on the New York Times bestsellers list for 56 weeks.

  • How many languages has 'Lessons in Chemistry' been translated into?

    -'Lessons in Chemistry' has been translated into 40 languages.

  • What is the upcoming adaptation of 'Lessons in Chemistry'?

    -An Apple TV series starring Oscar winner Brie Larson is the upcoming adaptation of 'Lessons in Chemistry'.

  • How many times was Bonnie Garmus' first finished book rejected before it was published?

    -Bonnie Garmus' first finished book was rejected 98 times before it was published.

  • What motivated Bonnie Garmus to start writing 'Lessons in Chemistry'?

    -Bonnie Garmus started writing 'Lessons in Chemistry' after a frustrating meeting at work where a male colleague took credit for one of her ideas, using constructive anger as her driving force.

  • What is the main theme of 'Lessons in Chemistry'?

    -The main theme of 'Lessons in Chemistry' is about a chemist and mom, Elizabeth Zott, who hosts a cooking show that ends up teaching women about a lot more than food, with subversive elements and empowerment.

  • Who was Bonnie Garmus' inspiration for the character of Elizabeth Zott?

    -Bonnie Garmus' inspiration for the character of Elizabeth Zott was her own mother, who was a nurse and had to stop working when she got pregnant.

  • How did Bonnie Garmus balance her writing with her full-time job and family responsibilities?

    -Bonnie Garmus balanced her writing with her full-time copywriting job and family responsibilities by teaching herself chemistry and incorporating her personal experiences, such as rowing, into her novel.

  • What impact has 'Lessons in Chemistry' had on its readers?

    -'Lessons in Chemistry' has inspired its readers to change their lives, with some taking up rowing, going to law school, and embracing the message of women being more of who they really are.

  • What message does Bonnie Garmus convey through her journey as a writer?

    -Bonnie Garmus conveys the message that one can change their story and own it, emphasizing resilience, determination, and the power of not giving up, which is reflected in both her personal journey and her novel's narrative.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Debut Novel Success and Life Lessons

The first paragraph introduces Bonnie Garmus, a writer whose debut novel, 'Lessons in Chemistry,' has become a sensation. The book, which is filled with life lessons, has been on the New York Times bestsellers list for 56 weeks and has been translated into 40 languages. It is set to become an Apple TV series starring Brie Larson. Garmus, who found success at the age of 66, shares her journey from being a copywriter to a literary rock star. Despite her book being rejected 98 times, she didn't give up on her writing dreams. The paragraph also touches on how Garmus was inspired to write 'Lessons in Chemistry' after a frustrating work experience and how the book's protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, is a subversive character who takes herself seriously without doubting her abilities. Garmus' own mother, a nurse, serves as an inspiration for the book, which carries a message of women embracing their true selves.

05:04
🌟 The Power of Persistence and Personal Stories

The second paragraph discusses the impact of Bonnie Garmus' novel on its readers, who have been inspired to make significant life changes, such as taking up rowing or pursuing law school. Garmus reflects on her own childhood dream of becoming a novelist, which has now come true. She emphasizes the message of the book—that one can change and own their story—which resonates with many readers. The paragraph concludes with Garmus acknowledging the universal appeal of her book, which allows readers to see themselves in the narrative.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Debut Novel
A debut novel refers to an author's first published novel. In the context of the video, it highlights the significant achievement of Bonnie Garmus, whose debut novel 'Lessons in Chemistry' has become a sensation. This term underscores the importance of perseverance and success after initial rejections.
💡Life Lessons
Life lessons are the moral or practical insights that individuals learn from their experiences or from the stories of others. In the video, 'Lessons in Chemistry' is described as being filled with life lessons, indicating that the novel imparts wisdom and guidance on various aspects of life, resonating with its readers.
💡Copywriter
A copywriter is a professional writer who creates text for advertising and marketing materials, with the goal of persuading the reader to take some action. In the video, Bonnie Garmus's previous career as a copywriter is mentioned, which highlights her background in writing and how it contributed to her eventual success as a novelist.
💡Rejection
Rejection refers to the act of refusing or declining something or someone's offer, often leading to disappointment or a sense of failure. In the context of the video, rejection is a significant theme as it details the numerous times Bonnie Garmus's first finished book was turned down before her eventual success.
💡Constructive Anger
Constructive anger is a form of negative emotion that is channeled into a positive and productive outlet, often leading to motivation and achievement. In the video, Bonnie Garmus describes using her anger as a catalyst for writing 'Lessons in Chemistry,' which demonstrates how personal emotions can inspire creative work.
💡Subversive
Subversive refers to something that undermines or challenges established norms, institutions, or beliefs, often in a subtle or indirect manner. In the video, the book 'Lessons in Chemistry' is described as subversive, indicating that it contains themes or messages that challenge societal expectations, particularly those related to women's roles.
💡Chemist
A chemist is a professional who is engaged in chemical research or experiments, often with the goal of understanding and manipulating the properties of substances. In the video, the protagonist of the book, Elizabeth Zott, is a chemist, which is central to the story's plot and themes, as she uses her scientific knowledge in unconventional ways.
💡Rowing
Rowing is a sport that involves propelling a boat using oars, requiring physical strength, endurance, and coordination. In the video, rowing is mentioned as an activity that Bonnie Garmus herself engaged in, and it is also a characteristic of the protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, in the novel, symbolizing determination and resilience.
💡Bidding War
A bidding war refers to a competitive situation where multiple parties are aggressively trying to secure something, often in a publishing context, it means competing offers for the rights to publish a book. In the video, a bidding war ensued for Bonnie Garmus's novel 'Lessons in Chemistry' after its completion, indicating high demand and interest from publishers.
💡Inspirational
Inspirational refers to something that motivates or encourages individuals to take action or change their perspectives. In the video, the story of 'Lessons in Chemistry' and Bonnie Garmus's own journey are described as inspirational, showing how the narrative and the author's experiences can positively impact readers' lives.
💡Own Your Story
The phrase 'own your story' encourages individuals to take control of their personal narrative and to define themselves authentically. In the video, this message is highlighted as one of the key themes of 'Lessons in Chemistry,' emphasizing the importance of self-determination and authenticity.
Highlights

Bonnie Garmus, a writer whose debut novel 'Lessons in Chemistry' has become a sensation.

The novel is filled with life lessons and has been on the New York Times bestsellers list for 56 weeks.

The book has been translated into 40 languages and is being adapted into an Apple TV series starring Brie Larson.

Garmus had a decades-long career as a copywriter before finding success as an author.

Despite being rejected 98 times, Garmus did not give up on her writing.

Garmus began writing 'Lessons in Chemistry' after a frustrating work experience.

The story is set in the 1950s and 60s and follows Elizabeth Zott, a chemist and mother who hosts a cooking show.

The book has been described as subversive, with a main character who takes herself seriously without concern for her appearance.

Garmus drew inspiration for her book from her mother, a nurse who had to stop working due to pregnancy.

While writing the book, Garmus maintained her full-time job and taught herself chemistry.

Garmus' experience with rowing in her late 30s influenced her portrayal of the protagonist, Elizabeth Zott.

Readers have been inspired by 'Lessons in Chemistry' to make significant life changes.

Since childhood, Garmus aspired to be a novelist, and her success with 'Lessons in Chemistry' is a dream come true.

The book's message of owning one's story and making changes resonates with many readers.

Garmus' persistence and determination in writing and rowing have paid off with her literary success.

Garmus' story is a testament to the idea that one can change their narrative and achieve their dreams.

Transcripts

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DebutNovelBonnieGarmusLiterarySuccessResilienceSelfDiscoverySubversiveNarrativeWomenInScienceCopywritingToAuthorLifeLessonsInspirationalJourney