"Why Fish Don't Exist" by Lulu Miller is a fascinating blend of science, history, and personal memoir that explores the life of David Starr Jordan, a taxonomist who discovered and classified thousands of fish species, only to have much of his work undone by natural disasters. Miller delves into Jordan's resilience in the face of adversity, reflecting on how his story parallels her own search for meaning in a chaotic world. The book is as much about scientific inquiry as it is about the human need for order in a disorderly universe. Through her lyrical prose and thought-provoking narrative, Miller offers a captivating meditation on purpose, perseverance, and the ever-changing nature of reality. It’s a deeply philosophical and engaging read that challenges conventional thinking and offers insight into the complexity of existence.

Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars
Publication date: 10 October 2024
Thank you to Pushkin Press and Netgalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

David Starr Jordan was a taxonomist, a man possessed with bringing order to the natural world. But the more of the hidden blueprint of life he uncovered, the harder the universe seemed to try to thwart him. His specimen collections were demolished by lightning, by fire, and eventually by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake--which sent more than a thousand discoveries, housed in fragile glass jars, plummeting to the floor. In an instant, his life's work was shattered.

I didn't really know what to expect from this book, and I really enjoyed it. It is part memoir, part scientific investigation into David Starr Jordan's career. But it goes deeper than this. When Lulu Miller’s life seems to be spiralling away from her, she discovers the life and work of Jordan, and becomes fascinated by his resilience and his obstinate drive to bring order to the chaos that are life and nature. There is a really interesting section in this book about grit, how positive illusions (but not to the point of delusion) can help you build perseverance and drive or, as someone put it in another review, “that being delulu is the solulu!”
The book actually took a turn I wasn't expecting, when Miller discovered that Jordan was quite the controversial figure, and definitely not a good person (really not!) and I really appreciated the discussion around who gets the privilege to be remembered by history and how, that to the victors go the spoils of war, and that they ultimately get to tell the stories that will be remembered.
This was a really interesting book, with beautiful illustrations, and I would definitely read more from this author.

Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller covers different genres of memoir, nature and science writing, biography and history.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book is a journey. I went from loving the main focus (David Starr Jordan) to hating him, the author does such a good job at building one side of his character (the most exposed side) and then flipping it on it's head.

The author connects her own internal struggle to David Starr Jordan so well, in ways you would not expect.

This book touches on a lot, from existentialism, to eugenics, to the natural world, and then finishes off with a really great concept of not believing everything presented to you.

I really enjoyed this, and usually the topics discussed would not be my first choice, but the author writes in such a cohesive, informative and sometimes funny way that made it fun from start to finish.