Lulu Miller's Why Fish Don't Exist is lauded for its inventive blend of biography, memoir, and scientific exploration, challenging readers with its thought-provoking narratives. Praised for eloquent prose and deep insights, some critics found its structure disjointed. Overall, it's a compelling read, marked by Miller's unique storytelling.

Readers who savor deep dives into science, eccentric biographies, and the intertwining of personal narrative with intellectual exploration will relish Lulu Miller’s Why Fish Don't Exist. Fans of Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Helen Macdonald’s H Is for Hawk will find Miller’s work equally captivating.

Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller blends the life story of American scientist David Starr Jordan with Miller's own personal reflections, exploring themes of scientific certainty, morality, and existence. Miller delves into Jordan’s persistence despite repeated setbacks, such as the 1906 earthquake, and examines his controversial support of eugenics, searching for insights to navigate her own life’s struggles. The book discusses suicide and mental health struggles.

Mysterious / Contemplative / Informative / Melancholic / Emotional

- Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller intertwines memoir, history, and scientific biography, exploring the life of taxonomist David Starr Jordan and challenging the concept of the fish lineage.
- The book acts as a philosophical contemplation on chaos, order, and the human endeavor to find meaning in life, resonating with Miller's background in storytelling and journalism.
- Lulu Miller's work draws on her experience as a co-founder of the NPR show Invisibilia, where she explored the hidden forces that shape human behavior, adding depth to her narrative style in the book.

Lulu Miller

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Why Fish Don't Exist and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Why Fish Don't Exist Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 4

Why Fish Don't Exist Prologue-Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

Why Fish Don't Exist Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 9-Epilogue

Why Fish Don't Exist Chapter 9-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

Why Fish Don't Exist Key Figures

theme

Themes

Why Fish Don't Exist Themes

Index of Terms

Why Fish Don't Exist Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

Why Fish Don't Exist Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Why Fish Don't Exist Essay Topics

Why Fish Don't Exist

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Why Fish Don't Exist?

Reading Age

Book Details