Bonnie Garmus, the former copywriter whose debut novel “Lessons In Chemistry” became an unexpected international success, has released her second novel, “Peck & Peck.” Garmus, 69, discusses her continued literary journey as well as growing concerns over artificial intelligence and its impact on creativity.
“Lessons In Chemistry,” published in 2022 when Garmus was 65, traces the story of Elizabeth Zott, a female research chemist navigating a male-dominated scientific community in 1950s and 1960s America. The protagonist eventually becomes a television cooking show host who inspires housewives, challenging social norms of the era. The book, which underwent a 16-publisher bidding war, defied early skepticism from Garmus’s own agent, Felicity Blunt, who initially doubted its commercial appeal. It has since sold widely, been translated into 44 languages, and was adapted into a television series starring Brie Larson, released in 2023.
Reflecting on the experience, Garmus calls the success “shocking” and remarks on her pragmatic approach to the pressure that followed. “You really can’t fret about what people think all the time,” she said, attributing this resilience to the perspective that age brings. The novel’s recognition includes being named one of the top 100 books of the 21st century by New York Times readers, as well as selection by Queen Camilla for the Queen’s Reading Room online book club.
Her new novel, “Peck & Peck,” set in 1982 New York, revolves around Batter Gray, a recent college graduate with a passion for poetry who takes a job at a prestigious poetry journal embroiled in a power struggle between its twin owners. Through Gray’s story, Garmus explores themes of youthful uncertainty in career choices and underscores the undervalued role of poetry as an art form. She noted poetry’s unique capacity to “invariably tell the truth,” marking its importance during pivotal life moments.
Garmus chose the early 1980s setting as a “halcyon age” predating the rise of computers and artificial intelligence. She expressed concern about the unchecked use of AI in creative fields, describing plagiarism facilitated by technology as a “punishment” despite being “the price of progress.” She emphasized the need for regulation and proper attribution to protect originality and creativity. “The internet is now a slop bucket of misinformation,” she added, warning of AI’s potential to erode authentic human expression.
Originally from California, Garmus relocated to the United Kingdom in 2017 with her husband, David, an astrophysicist. They have two adopted daughters. Garmus attributes much of her writing background to her experience as a copywriter and candidly recounted the lengthy path to literary recognition, including a previous novel rejected 98 times. She dismissed the idea of a “right time” to pursue writing, encouraging persistence regardless of age.
Though there has been interest in adapting “Peck & Peck” for screen, Garmus is taking a measured approach, acknowledging a shifting landscape in Hollywood’s appetite for new material. She remains focused on the issues her novels raise rather than celebrity or commercial success, maintaining a grounded perspective on her literary career.
“Peck & Peck” is available in hardback at £22.