cornfusedsnow's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5


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cardboard's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.5


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hello_linzie's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.5


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strawberrymoonceci's review against another edition

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informative reflective

4.5

This was an incredibly interesting book. She paints such a vivid picture in all the scenes, even the ones she didn't witness. I was very curious about the name of the book, I was also curious about the importance of this taxonomist. It was a gripping read, fascinating really. The audiobook version is wonderful, and I found the little nugget included at the end so heartwarming. This definitely made me want to read more book about natural history.

I absolutely did not expect the plot twists to include murder and eugenics! I think it's very interesting how Robert Starr Jordan went from allegedly covering up a murder, feeling wracked with guilt about it, to making eugenics his new purpose in life. What an absolute monster. The book is a masterclass in how to write a villain. In the beginning you hear mostly praise for him, there are definitely criticisms but you can see the author choosing to focus in his great capacity for perseverance, only for it to take a dark change, and for him to end up being responsible for the death, torture and mutilation (amongs other things) of tens of thousands in the US alone. Also, the US was the first country to make eugenics into national law. Which is so interesting considering the national narrative about it role in WW2. Not the least surprising though. I am surprised at how engaging this book was, considering I didn't like the author at all. Her writing is great, but she did not pass the vibe check. Also, fish dont exist as a category, that's the answer to the title. And Robert Starr Jordan can suck on that!

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val_so_'s review against another edition

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emotional informative medium-paced

3.0


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sjn_jordan's review

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reflective slow-paced

0.5


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melby's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I had no idea what I was getting myself into and it took me to unexpected places. Chaotic but she tied it up nicely in the end and left me with a message I’ll never forget during a time I needed it most. Fish do not exist. 

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lara112's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.75

Found it perhaps a bit slow for my style but the ending and generally just the whole book was magnificent. Made me feel like I had just been filled up with sunshine and wrapped in a big hug. Loved it xxx

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brttbwrs's review

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challenging hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I would give this 100 stars if I could. Beautifully written, and a hopefulness that carries gravity. 

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noorii's review

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inspiring reflective

5.0

a lesson in hubris indeed

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