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

challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.0

'Why Fish Don't Exist' by LuLu Miller is an engaging nonfiction book that moves between Miller's desire to find meaning within her own life and her exploration of the life of David Starr Jordan. As Miller learns more about Jordan's life, she unravels a man that though known for his accomplishments, such as his work as a taxonomist and as the first president of Stanford University, has incredible flaws and terrible views about the world. The way that Miller uncovers these discoveries about Jordan's life are engaging as we slowly come to learn more about this man and his descent into eugenics. 
This is a hard book as Miller discusses her struggles with mental illness and searching for meaning but it ultimately has a very hope filled conclusion. Miller presents a way to reframe how we see the world that has helped her find meaning and I found it to be very moving. She challenges the reader to look beyond what we take for granted to see how assumptions and even taxonomies can get in the way of discovering the beauty and complexity of life. 
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