Reviews with content warning for Forced institutionalization - Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life

I genuinely have no words for much this impacted me. It is truly beautifully and completely done.

My only warning would be to look at any trigger warnings if that's something that would impact you. I personally went in blind, not even knowing what it was about, and did not realize how dark things would be. Vital to talk about, but still potentially triggering nonetheless.

Content Warnings

fridayreads's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

librarymouse's review

Go to review page

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

About a third of the way through this book, having googled David Starr Jordan, I was ready to finish this, as a hate reader if need be. Jordan was, without question, a horrible man. The atrocities he inflicted upon the world with his promotion of eugenics outweigh any good he may have done as a scientist by multiple orders of magnitude. Seeing Lulu Miller's hero worship of the man was off-putting, the more I learned of him. However, I ended up really enjoying this book as I read on, as Miller explores her own life alongside Jordan's, she brings along the reader. We learn of the atrocities he's committedin the same order she did while conducting the research for this book. It's still hard to have the hero worship of the young Jordan, with his love of stars and rescy jokes, when faced with the knowledge of his role in the American Eugenics movement.

Jordan's hands-on malicious acts, like his touring endorsement of eugenics and the possible murder by poison of his benefactor are completely bonkers. I am constantly amazed that people Revere him, while simultaneously understanding, as I, too have been in awe of the young man he once was.

This book breaks down every facet of Jordan, from his political, religious, and social beliefs; to his family life, addressing each idiosyncrasy with data driven research.

Content Warnings

marshark's review

Go to review page

challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

Content Warnings

pipn_t's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

3.0

This was an alright book that I despised deeply when it became clear it was a biography and not a science book. I guess it’s a good example of why you shouldn’t read books based on a cool title. Did not enjoy nor come to care about the man being biographies at all. The title subject of the book was tacked on at the end. Didn’t appreciate that the author was trying to convert me to her nihilistic worldview, if I’m using the right word. Content warning for extended discussion of eugenics.

Content Warnings