Bonnie Garmus Interview: Peck & Peck, Lessons in Chemistry and Finding Success Later in Life
Internationally bestselling author Bonnie Garmus joins Michelle Ford to discuss her highly anticipated second novel, Peck & Peck, the phenomenal success of Lessons in Chemistry and her remarkable journey to becoming a published novelist later in life.
Bonnie is the author of the global bestseller Lessons in Chemistry, which introduced readers to unforgettable chemist Elizabeth Zott and was adapted into the acclaimed Apple TV+ series starring Brie Larson. A former copywriter and creative director, Bonnie became a publishing sensation in her sixties - but her success was anything but overnight.
In this candid, funny and inspiring conversation, Bonnie talks about growing up during the feminist movement of the 1960s and reflects on reinvention, resilience and refusing to give up. Before Lessons in Chemistry found a publisher, an earlier manuscript was rejected 98 times. One particularly cruel response even told Bonnie that she “must be really stupid” for failing to understand the rules of writing a book.
Bonnie reveals the infuriating incident at work that prompted her to write the first chapter of Lessons in Chemistry. Fed up with the attitudes of the men around her, she created Elizabeth Zott as the brilliant, uncompromising female role model she wanted to look up to.
She also explains how she taught herself 1950s chemistry while researching the novel - with some experiments becoming so dramatic that the fire brigade was called to her home twice!
Michelle and Bonnie discuss the lasting impact of Elizabeth Zott, including the remarkable story of one reader who was inspired to make a life-changing decision of her own.
The conversation then turns to Bonnie’s much-anticipated second novel, Peck & Peck. Set in New York City in 1982, this witty and wonderfully original story follows Batter Gray, a young man who feels left behind as his friends establish respectable careers. Batter has a very different gift: an instinctive “ear” for poetry.
His life changes when he is hired by Peck & Peck - the world’s most prestigious, secretive and spectacularly dysfunctional poetry journal. Surrounded by an eccentric cast of characters, Batter begins a journey towards adulthood, purpose and his own identity.
They include his formidable mother Rainey, a straight-talking typeface designer, and the heroic family dog after whom Batter was named. Bonnie explains why typography is so important to the story: words communicate not only through what they say, but through how they look.
Bonnie and Michelle also explore the emotional power of poetry, the importance of creativity and originality, and Bonnie’s concerns about artificial intelligence and the need to protect human creativity.
Above all, Peck & Peck is a funny, tender and fiercely original celebration of language, individuality and the courage to stand up for what you believe.
In this episode:
📚 Connect with Michelle
Follow Michelle Ford for more author interviews, book recommendations, radio and podcast content, and conversations about books, life, confidence and everything in between.
Instagram: @michellefordofficial @michellefordinterviewspod
Podcast: Michelle Ford Interviews
YouTube: @michellefordinterviews
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michellefordofficial
Email: twowomenchatting@gmail.com
Website: michellefordinterviews.com
Media/brand enquiries: @kindlingtalent
","author_name":"Michelle Ford"}