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thebellsjar's review against another edition
5.0
it started out with a fish how did end up like this (it was only a fish, it was only a fish).
valentinavc's review against another edition
3.0
I actually had no idea who David Starr Jordan is coming into the book, thought he was fiction-like from the synopsis and didn’t bother to look him up until half way into the book.
The book started really slow, jumping between the author’s own depression and the early lives of a character who I had no idea who he is. I couldn’t relate with either of them. Then Jane’s poisoning came along which made me realize “wait this dude is famous…” then after reading who he is I got more curious because the author seem to have a lot of affection and admiration for such a flawed historical character. I enjoyed the tidbits of psychology studies and the long passages devoted to victims of forced sterilization (the whole part about eugenics is chilling really). And finally it got to why fish don’t exist.
Would I have read the book knowing who Jordan is? Probably not. So I do appreciate my ignorance which led me to read a book that I have zero expectations of. I did learn a lot about Jordan’s life, the complexity of his character, about eugenics and psychology, and about fish (or the lack thereof). I don’t think I can relate too much with the author’s sentiments though, and that’s just a personal preference thing I guess. I couldn’t empathize with the whole journey she went through and the internal struggles, so that did take away a lot from my experience. Overall I’m still glad I read it.
The book started really slow, jumping between the author’s own depression and the early lives of a character who I had no idea who he is. I couldn’t relate with either of them. Then Jane’s poisoning came along which made me realize “wait this dude is famous…” then after reading who he is I got more curious because the author seem to have a lot of affection and admiration for such a flawed historical character. I enjoyed the tidbits of psychology studies and the long passages devoted to victims of forced sterilization (the whole part about eugenics is chilling really). And finally it got to why fish don’t exist.
Would I have read the book knowing who Jordan is? Probably not. So I do appreciate my ignorance which led me to read a book that I have zero expectations of. I did learn a lot about Jordan’s life, the complexity of his character, about eugenics and psychology, and about fish (or the lack thereof). I don’t think I can relate too much with the author’s sentiments though, and that’s just a personal preference thing I guess. I couldn’t empathize with the whole journey she went through and the internal struggles, so that did take away a lot from my experience. Overall I’m still glad I read it.
suzecluez's review against another edition
4.0
I'd round up to 4 stars. This biography/memoir/science/history book isn't going to be for everyone- I think some folks will nod and go along with the metaphors and others won't. I went in knowing more about the author than David Starr Jordan and was more interested to hear about her and her story. I enjoyed the book and how Miller ties what she was looking for with Jordan's life. I listened to the audiobook and I'm glad I had her intonations and emotions tied in. The beginning and end were the best parts for me.
arrantrose's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was exactly the book I needed in this moment. Lulu's personal anecdotes of her struggle and search for meaning resonated deeply with me, and I found myself weeping with wonder on the train ride home by the end of the book.