49 pages • 1 hour read
Why Fish Don't Exist
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Book Brief
225
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Various • 20th-21st Century
2020
Simon & Schuster
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller blends the life story of American scientist David Starr Jordan with Miller's own personal reflections, exploring themes of scientific certainty, morality, and existence. Miller delves into Jordan’s persistence despite repeated setbacks, such as the 1906 earthquake, and examines his controversial support of eugenics, searching for insights to navigate her own life’s struggles. The book discusses suicide and mental health struggles.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Informative
Melancholic
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
43,765 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lulu Miller's Why Fish Don't Exist is lauded for its inventive blend of biography, memoir, and scientific exploration, challenging readers with its thought-provoking narratives. Praised for eloquent prose and deep insights, some critics found its structure disjointed. Overall, it's a compelling read, marked by Miller's unique storytelling.
Who Should Read Why Fish Don't Exist?
Readers who savor deep dives into science, eccentric biographies, and the intertwining of personal narrative with intellectual exploration will relish Lulu Miller’s Why Fish Don't Exist. Fans of Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Helen Macdonald’s H Is for Hawk will find Miller’s work equally captivating.
43,765 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
David Starr Jordan
David Starr Jordan
A 19th-century taxonomist and founding president of Stanford University, notable for his extensive work in fish classification and advocacy for eugenics, whose life and career are examined by Miller.
Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller intertwines memoir, history, and scientific biography, exploring the life of taxonomist David Starr Jordan and challenging the concept of the fish lineage.
The book acts as a philosophical contemplation on chaos, order, and the human endeavor to find meaning in life, resonating with Miller's background in storytelling and journalism.
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Lulu Miller's work draws on her experience as a co-founder of the NPR show Invisibilia, where she explored the hidden forces that shape human behavior, adding depth to her narrative style in the book.
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225
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Various • 20th-21st Century
2020
Simon & Schuster
Adult
18+ years
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