Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller

84 reviews

cardboard's review against another edition

hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Ableism

Moderate: Classism, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, and Infertility

strawberrymoonceci's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Torture, Abandonment, Car accident, Child abuse, Classism, Murder, Religious bigotry, Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Rape, Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Infertility, and Medical trauma

Minor: Death and Child death

ida_ree's review

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

I don't do star ratings.

This was a fascinating read - part memoir, part investigative history, part science/nature writing, a good dollop of philosophy. 

When the author was experiencing an extended existential crisis, she immersed herself in learning about David Starr Jordan, first president of Stanford and the scientist who discovered and classified more types of fish than anyone in the world. The catch is that his life's work was destroyed in the great San Francisco earthquake and he had to start over nearly from scratch. Miller thought maybe she could learn something from him about resilience and finding meaning in life. What she found instead, both about his life and about animal life was completely unexpected. Did I mention this is a fascinating read?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization

musicalpopcorn's review

emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

I will be honest, I bought this book 100% because the title intrigued me. The book turned out to be incredibly engaging and interesting. I had little idea where it was headed, but I was along for the ride.

I’m also just straight up rattled. I did not think it would deliver on the title, but here I am rethinking my entire categorized worldview…which I suppose is the point.

Beautiful book!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Forced institutionalization

sjn_jordan's review

reflective slow-paced

0.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Medical trauma, Racism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Forced institutionalization, and Ableism

Minor: Rape, Genocide, and Biphobia

lara112's review

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Murder, Ableism, Death, and Forced institutionalization

brttbwrs's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Child death, Ableism, Rape, Pregnancy, Murder, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, and Colonisation

susannah_knox's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book surprised me over and over again.  I don't know how the author pulled off making all the disparate elements cohere, but she did.  A moving, deep yet delightful quick read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Suicide attempt, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Animal death, Medical trauma, and Murder

noorii's review

inspiring reflective

5.0

a lesson in hubris indeed

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Ableism, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Infidelity and Rape

maddiearthur's review

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Colonisation, Infertility, and Ableism

Moderate: Child death and Biphobia

Minor: Self harm