I just can't get too excited about "Lessons in Chemistry" yet. I haven't read the book so I can't compare, but there's something 'off' about it for me. It's not that Elizabeth is an oddball--which she is--it's as if the story doesn't know what it wants to be. There's the rape and the death of the man she finally can love, and on a lesser note, the takeover of their life's work, but then there's a talking dog and a friendly ghost and every cliched, screaming moment of giving birth. It feels as if the writers would rather throw out gimmicks than build a compelling story.
The story line of the chubby, awkward little girl we're led to believe is Elizabeth's, only to find out much later that a new character, the adorable curly-haired little genius (the little girl who suddenly just pops into the story) is actually Mad, seemed just too clever and more than a bit fatphobic.
The stealing/giving lunch business fell flat, as well. It came out of the blue, when suddenly Elizabeth is confronting the school principal.
The 'black family across the street' story line is just too precious. They're too perfect. So far.
If the story and the characters had drawn me in, I never would have had time to notice these things. I've watched plenty of shows with questionable plots I've let go because the other parts were so compelling. I just don't feel that here.
I should say I loved "The Queen's Gambit", as odd and quirky as it was. I have to believe the difference is in the writing. As always.
Agree with some of this—especially the fatphobic “trick” which annoyed me. But some of what you don’t like comes straight from the book—e.g, the lunch stealing, which leads to her meeting the tv guy which leads to her show—and I’d say in general, that the sense you get that “the story doesn’t know what it wants to be” is much more of a problem with the book. They had a challenge turning that chaotic mess (sorry to the zillions readers who adore it—I had the same problem with EEAAO, another hugely popular, pandering mess) into a series. But for me, Elizabeth, Calvin and the dog are done really well so far—and that what has made the series work for me.
The scene where Elizabeth confronts the principal didn't work for me because there was no buildup. (Wait...what's this about lunches??) Then, when the TV producer approaches her, it felt like nothing more than a clumsy lead-in. The pacing was off, and it was "and then this happened, and then this happened, so this could happen".
It's the rhythm, I think. It's jarring and all over the place. I just can't get a handle on it. I'll give it some time, though.
I’m confused. I don’t remember a scene with the principal. The person she confronts is Pine, the tv producer, whose daughter has been eating Mad’s lunches. She goes to his office, and after they talk about the lunch thing, he chases her down in her car. Are we watching the same series? Or do I need to watch the episode again?
Susan, the opening description of your daughter is so wonderful - I want to know her and to hear how she defines herself. She comes alive in your words, much more than the character in “The Queen’s Gambit” (a show that didn’t hook me), although I did like the ‘70s movie with David Bowie of “The Man Who Fell to Earth.”
I have avoided the book “Lessons in Chemistry” because of what I’d heard about the canned patriarchy messages (you’re right, show don’t tell, especially in the early 1950s) and what sounded like syrupy stuff with the dog - but maybe I’ll watch the show after all. I think a lot of popular books work better as movies or streaming (such as “The World According to Garp” and others by John Irving - and *definitely* “Jurassic Park”). I really enjoyed your comparison of book and show.
But no mention of Rosalind Franklin in 1951 - or Simone de Beauvoir? That alone would make it tough for me to suspend disbelief 😉
I’m guessing that you’d adore Cassie—come visit and meet her!
Re: the book of LOC: Like “Everything Everywhere All At Once” its popularity seems to be about (1) providing “something for everyone” (or in other words, all over the place); and (2) bringing back some already-worked feminist topics as though they are brand-new. (I guess to many readers they are. Kind of depressing, that.)
Re book/movie: “Jaws” and “The Godfather.” Movies so much better than the originals! (I think I did a substack on this; I’ll look it up.)
I almost didn't read your post, since I do not have AppleTV to watch the series. But got hooked viewing the trailer! Wow. Hope I can watch it obe day.
SO...Then came back to read your comments and thoroughly enjoyed your long and complex piece. Have not seen "Queens Gambit" either, so got lost viewing a series of segments. I can see how you also wanted to read the book to compare.
Now realize how far along my mother was. After a few years at San Diego State, and stint as a Rosie the Riveter, she transferred to Cal Berkeley, where she had her eyes set on being a doctor...in 1947! But then she met dad, and I came along ( not my fault!)... and three daughters with 2 years.
Occasionally growing up, I would run across her notebooks with her finely detailed medical illustrations. She never ever mentioned her lost dream, and eventually channeled her talent into art. And after the divorce, she went back to school and became a medical technician.
So, thanks for provoking these memories. Look forward to the next column.
Your mother’s return to her interests in medicine is great. My mother’s story is more depressing—but that’s for another time. I wish you could see the series I write about! Is there some way to get Apple TV (or any of the other cable streamers on your computer? Glad you can enjoy some pieces (like this one) even without seeing the shows, though. “The Queen’s Gambit” is great—and by now the first season may be available on DVD. Check it out!
Thanks for this, Susan. I started the book but abandoned it shortly after her lover died. I already had been irritated by a lot that I'd read so far (I'll have to go back to find specific examples), but part of it was as other commentators wrote, the disconnected, jarring narrative, the canned sexism, and just how mean everyone was to her all the time. I found that unbelievable. And annoying. It made the story seem more cartoonish.
I did find the love story sweet and convincing. The dog part was surprising, but interesting. I found the whole, long "rowing" narrative and other places like that boring. I felt for Elizabeth, but did not warm to her. Eventually there just wasn't enough that I liked in the novel to keep me reading.
On another note, I loved The Bridge (both the English and Swedish versions) and The Gambit. I haven't see the Chemistry series, so can't comment on that. If it comes to one of my streaming services, I'll probably watch it. But I loved your intro about your daughter. She's so lucky to have you as her mother.
Thanks so much. The TV series does suffer from some of the problems with the book, I’ll be interested to see if those problems sink it for you or not. What’s surprised me is that while the series has gotten mixed reviews, leaning toward the negative, the book was so lavishly praised. If I hadn’t been planning to write this piece, I would have abandoned the book, too. I suspect a big PR build-up is responsible. I hope the series continues to prune away the more irritating things, and does good things with the stuff it’s added (like the Black neighbor.) It’s on Apple Plus. Thanks for continuing to be so engaged with my substack!
Surely the original Swedish version of The Bridge (a favourite of mine for this very reason) starred Sofia Helin as the enigmatic detective, Saga Noren?
You’re so right. I haven’t seen that version, so my mention merged the first U.S. version with it. Goof. I’ll change. (By the way, in checking this out, I discovered there have been FIVE versions since the original.) Thanks!
Thank you. The original version is worth a watch. Sofia Helin delivers a great performance. I've been able to understand myself better by seeing characters like Saga Noren, and Temperance in Bones represented on screen. Your daughter sounds like an amazing person because she's been raised to see her differences as a superpower, rather than a limitation.
I read the book as verging on magical realism and so did not find the (perhaps) unbelievable behavior of the dog to a problem. I am enjoying the series as well and find the changes work. Thanks for the thoughts on the contrast.
This is fascinating, the stuff you’re getting into here. Book vs. movie/show, that’s endlessly interesting for me, but the ways the feminist themes play out differently in the two versions-- really fascinating. I imagine a piece on this subject appearing elsewhere would be far less complex and thought-provoking.
Thanks Karl! It was hard for me to get back into writing (or reading either) this week—in too agitated a state over what’s going on in the Middle East and reactions here. I think I’m going to stick with movies, tv, books, etc. for awhile. I felt much better once I got into this one, and I’m glad you liked it!
Haha. Your son sounds like my daughter. She always had a good excuse. But did he actually write 5 sentences with a total of 10 words? That would require some ingenuity.
BTW, When you say “Can’t wait to watch,” you mean “Lessons in Chemistry,” right? Not “The Queen’s Gambit,” which I assume you’ve seen. If not, it’s really great. And so is “The Tunnel.” And you can really binge on that one, as there’s two seasons (or maybe three?)
I’m grateful for any good shows out right now, bonus if they lean neurodivergent and empowering, and Lessons in Chemistry does it for me, although I’m yelling at the tv a lot. Especially venomous about any and all unrealistic birth scenes. I thought the postpartum was pretty realistic though.
I was busy reading Bierce for a piece, but Lisa was watching this show and I kept getting sucked in while I was supposed to be reading. I suspect if I was watching for real I’d have a lot of the same caveats you and the gang have here, and I’m also temperamentally unenthusiastic about period stuff, especially when there’s a kind of alternate history thing running alongside the shticky period recreation.
But! I hasten to add-- the character and the performance are definitely adorable, and it seems to be one of those many examples where an actor works hard to get past the various sociopolitical/aesthetic issues that bother people like me. Brie Larson-- terrific.
And I know my buttons are being pushed, but what the hell. I loved the scenes I saw with the reverend and the daughter.
Thanks for the invite! I may take you up on that next spring when I’m not teaching 😉 And oh yes, “The Godfather” and “Jaws” - but then there are very good movies that still don’t achieve the richness of a novel like “Howards End”...
I just can't get too excited about "Lessons in Chemistry" yet. I haven't read the book so I can't compare, but there's something 'off' about it for me. It's not that Elizabeth is an oddball--which she is--it's as if the story doesn't know what it wants to be. There's the rape and the death of the man she finally can love, and on a lesser note, the takeover of their life's work, but then there's a talking dog and a friendly ghost and every cliched, screaming moment of giving birth. It feels as if the writers would rather throw out gimmicks than build a compelling story.
The story line of the chubby, awkward little girl we're led to believe is Elizabeth's, only to find out much later that a new character, the adorable curly-haired little genius (the little girl who suddenly just pops into the story) is actually Mad, seemed just too clever and more than a bit fatphobic.
The stealing/giving lunch business fell flat, as well. It came out of the blue, when suddenly Elizabeth is confronting the school principal.
The 'black family across the street' story line is just too precious. They're too perfect. So far.
If the story and the characters had drawn me in, I never would have had time to notice these things. I've watched plenty of shows with questionable plots I've let go because the other parts were so compelling. I just don't feel that here.
I should say I loved "The Queen's Gambit", as odd and quirky as it was. I have to believe the difference is in the writing. As always.
Agree with some of this—especially the fatphobic “trick” which annoyed me. But some of what you don’t like comes straight from the book—e.g, the lunch stealing, which leads to her meeting the tv guy which leads to her show—and I’d say in general, that the sense you get that “the story doesn’t know what it wants to be” is much more of a problem with the book. They had a challenge turning that chaotic mess (sorry to the zillions readers who adore it—I had the same problem with EEAAO, another hugely popular, pandering mess) into a series. But for me, Elizabeth, Calvin and the dog are done really well so far—and that what has made the series work for me.
The scene where Elizabeth confronts the principal didn't work for me because there was no buildup. (Wait...what's this about lunches??) Then, when the TV producer approaches her, it felt like nothing more than a clumsy lead-in. The pacing was off, and it was "and then this happened, and then this happened, so this could happen".
It's the rhythm, I think. It's jarring and all over the place. I just can't get a handle on it. I'll give it some time, though.
Meanwhile, I'm loving "The Morning Show"!
I’m confused. I don’t remember a scene with the principal. The person she confronts is Pine, the tv producer, whose daughter has been eating Mad’s lunches. She goes to his office, and after they talk about the lunch thing, he chases her down in her car. Are we watching the same series? Or do I need to watch the episode again?
Oh, you're right. Sorry! That IS the way it went.
But still...
Susan, the opening description of your daughter is so wonderful - I want to know her and to hear how she defines herself. She comes alive in your words, much more than the character in “The Queen’s Gambit” (a show that didn’t hook me), although I did like the ‘70s movie with David Bowie of “The Man Who Fell to Earth.”
I have avoided the book “Lessons in Chemistry” because of what I’d heard about the canned patriarchy messages (you’re right, show don’t tell, especially in the early 1950s) and what sounded like syrupy stuff with the dog - but maybe I’ll watch the show after all. I think a lot of popular books work better as movies or streaming (such as “The World According to Garp” and others by John Irving - and *definitely* “Jurassic Park”). I really enjoyed your comparison of book and show.
But no mention of Rosalind Franklin in 1951 - or Simone de Beauvoir? That alone would make it tough for me to suspend disbelief 😉
I’m guessing that you’d adore Cassie—come visit and meet her!
Re: the book of LOC: Like “Everything Everywhere All At Once” its popularity seems to be about (1) providing “something for everyone” (or in other words, all over the place); and (2) bringing back some already-worked feminist topics as though they are brand-new. (I guess to many readers they are. Kind of depressing, that.)
Re book/movie: “Jaws” and “The Godfather.” Movies so much better than the originals! (I think I did a substack on this; I’ll look it up.)
I almost didn't read your post, since I do not have AppleTV to watch the series. But got hooked viewing the trailer! Wow. Hope I can watch it obe day.
SO...Then came back to read your comments and thoroughly enjoyed your long and complex piece. Have not seen "Queens Gambit" either, so got lost viewing a series of segments. I can see how you also wanted to read the book to compare.
Now realize how far along my mother was. After a few years at San Diego State, and stint as a Rosie the Riveter, she transferred to Cal Berkeley, where she had her eyes set on being a doctor...in 1947! But then she met dad, and I came along ( not my fault!)... and three daughters with 2 years.
Occasionally growing up, I would run across her notebooks with her finely detailed medical illustrations. She never ever mentioned her lost dream, and eventually channeled her talent into art. And after the divorce, she went back to school and became a medical technician.
So, thanks for provoking these memories. Look forward to the next column.
Your mother’s return to her interests in medicine is great. My mother’s story is more depressing—but that’s for another time. I wish you could see the series I write about! Is there some way to get Apple TV (or any of the other cable streamers on your computer? Glad you can enjoy some pieces (like this one) even without seeing the shows, though. “The Queen’s Gambit” is great—and by now the first season may be available on DVD. Check it out!
Thanks for this, Susan. I started the book but abandoned it shortly after her lover died. I already had been irritated by a lot that I'd read so far (I'll have to go back to find specific examples), but part of it was as other commentators wrote, the disconnected, jarring narrative, the canned sexism, and just how mean everyone was to her all the time. I found that unbelievable. And annoying. It made the story seem more cartoonish.
I did find the love story sweet and convincing. The dog part was surprising, but interesting. I found the whole, long "rowing" narrative and other places like that boring. I felt for Elizabeth, but did not warm to her. Eventually there just wasn't enough that I liked in the novel to keep me reading.
On another note, I loved The Bridge (both the English and Swedish versions) and The Gambit. I haven't see the Chemistry series, so can't comment on that. If it comes to one of my streaming services, I'll probably watch it. But I loved your intro about your daughter. She's so lucky to have you as her mother.
Thanks so much. The TV series does suffer from some of the problems with the book, I’ll be interested to see if those problems sink it for you or not. What’s surprised me is that while the series has gotten mixed reviews, leaning toward the negative, the book was so lavishly praised. If I hadn’t been planning to write this piece, I would have abandoned the book, too. I suspect a big PR build-up is responsible. I hope the series continues to prune away the more irritating things, and does good things with the stuff it’s added (like the Black neighbor.) It’s on Apple Plus. Thanks for continuing to be so engaged with my substack!
Surely the original Swedish version of The Bridge (a favourite of mine for this very reason) starred Sofia Helin as the enigmatic detective, Saga Noren?
You’re so right. I haven’t seen that version, so my mention merged the first U.S. version with it. Goof. I’ll change. (By the way, in checking this out, I discovered there have been FIVE versions since the original.) Thanks!
Thank you. The original version is worth a watch. Sofia Helin delivers a great performance. I've been able to understand myself better by seeing characters like Saga Noren, and Temperance in Bones represented on screen. Your daughter sounds like an amazing person because she's been raised to see her differences as a superpower, rather than a limitation.
You have no idea how much your last comment means to me!!
They all started with I and had a verb.
Yes. Lessons in Chemistry. Saw and loved Queen's Gambit. After, I went on Chess.com and remembered how bad I was at the game.
Me too. I do better with word-games. And am guessing you do too.
The frog wasn’t dead... if you rewatch the scene, you will see frog eggs under the “experimental” frog.
I know. Someone on FB corrected me right after I posted it and I changed it. Thank you for pointing it out too.
I read the book as verging on magical realism and so did not find the (perhaps) unbelievable behavior of the dog to a problem. I am enjoying the series as well and find the changes work. Thanks for the thoughts on the contrast.
You’re welcome! And so nice to hear from another philosopher!
This is fascinating, the stuff you’re getting into here. Book vs. movie/show, that’s endlessly interesting for me, but the ways the feminist themes play out differently in the two versions-- really fascinating. I imagine a piece on this subject appearing elsewhere would be far less complex and thought-provoking.
Thanks Karl! It was hard for me to get back into writing (or reading either) this week—in too agitated a state over what’s going on in the Middle East and reactions here. I think I’m going to stick with movies, tv, books, etc. for awhile. I felt much better once I got into this one, and I’m glad you liked it!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the binge-gift! Can't wait to watch.
I also loved reading about your daughter and her various talents.
My son was once assigned a five sentence essay, which he completed in ten words, claiming that the teacher never specified length.
best,
David
Haha. Your son sounds like my daughter. She always had a good excuse. But did he actually write 5 sentences with a total of 10 words? That would require some ingenuity.
BTW, When you say “Can’t wait to watch,” you mean “Lessons in Chemistry,” right? Not “The Queen’s Gambit,” which I assume you’ve seen. If not, it’s really great. And so is “The Tunnel.” And you can really binge on that one, as there’s two seasons (or maybe three?)
I’m grateful for any good shows out right now, bonus if they lean neurodivergent and empowering, and Lessons in Chemistry does it for me, although I’m yelling at the tv a lot. Especially venomous about any and all unrealistic birth scenes. I thought the postpartum was pretty realistic though.
I was busy reading Bierce for a piece, but Lisa was watching this show and I kept getting sucked in while I was supposed to be reading. I suspect if I was watching for real I’d have a lot of the same caveats you and the gang have here, and I’m also temperamentally unenthusiastic about period stuff, especially when there’s a kind of alternate history thing running alongside the shticky period recreation.
But! I hasten to add-- the character and the performance are definitely adorable, and it seems to be one of those many examples where an actor works hard to get past the various sociopolitical/aesthetic issues that bother people like me. Brie Larson-- terrific.
And I know my buttons are being pushed, but what the hell. I loved the scenes I saw with the reverend and the daughter.
Thanks for the invite! I may take you up on that next spring when I’m not teaching 😉 And oh yes, “The Godfather” and “Jaws” - but then there are very good movies that still don’t achieve the richness of a novel like “Howards End”...
Spring is gorgeous in horse country!
Here’s the stack where I talk about novel to film: https://open.substack.com/pub/susanbordo/p/from-bookcase-to-screen-the-adaptations?r=384ha&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I will read that post later with pleasure (and yes! Horse country!)