How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures
Ratings29
Average rating4.2
15
Ratings29
Average rating4.2
Sabrina Imbler has always been drawn to the mystery of life in the sea, and particularly to creatures living in hostile or remote environments. Each essay in their debut collection profiles one such creature, including:
the mother octopus who starves herself while watching over her eggs,
the Chinese sturgeon whose migration route has been decimated by pollution and dams,
the bizarre, predatory Bobbitt worm (named after Lorena),
the common goldfish that flourishes in the wild,
and more.
Imbler discovers that some of the most radical models of family, community, and care can be found in the sea, from gelatinous chains that are both individual organisms and colonies of clones to deep-sea crabs that have no need for the sun, nourished instead by the chemicals and heat throbbing from the core of the Earth. Exploring themes of adaptation, survival, sexuality, and care, and weaving the wonders of marine biology with stories of their own family, relationships, and coming of age, How Far the Light Reaches is a shimmering, otherworldly debut that attunes us to new visions of our world and its miracles.
Reviews with the most likes.
Sorry author! I scanned the title and didn't catch that the word 'life' intended a memoir aspect. I was looking more for a biography of the sea creatures.
However, what I did read was a lovely merging of biography of the sea creatures and your memoir, like watching kelp forests swaying back-n-forth.
Say it with me 'feral goldfish'.
Mixed feelings: I loved most of its parts, just not the entirety. Probably because I'm old and cismale, also in large part because I read it too soon after [b:World of Wonders 48615751 World of Wonders In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments Aimee Nezhukumatathil https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1577258440l/48615751.SY75.jpg 73952157] and it's impossible not to contrast them: the describe-a-creature-then-find-parallels-with-my-life thing was less effective this time; it was also a lot harsher in this book, chip on shoulder. I felt deeply sorry for the author, for their pain; also somewhat angry at their parents and parental figures for not teaching boundaries or enthusiastic consent. I feel angry thinking of how many more children out there will suffer because parents shy from difficult conversations.Imbler writes elegantly. Their marine biology segments are informative and fascinating. Their memoirs profoundly vulnerable, distressing at times but in necessary ways: Imbler's experiences will be more relatable to young people, but we olds can learn from them. If I had a high-school age person in my life, I would pass my book to them. For my friends, though: if you've read World of Wonders, skip this one, or perhaps wait a year or two. If you've read neither, but want to read one: both are excellent, pick WoW for a broader view of racism and a wider selection of living beings, pick HFtLR for intense and painful perspectives on toxic masculinity, rape culture, blackout-drinking, queer self-discovery (and a narrow focus on marine biology). You will be better for reading either one.Favorite excerpt: When the sand striker snatches a fish and begins to feast, it is not thinking of what the fish is feeling. It has no complex brain and no sense of morality, which means its intentions are never cruel. A worm cannot shirk a duty it does not know. But we can.
i really really enjoyed this book; it fed me with lovely little tidbits about sea creatures and it also managed to create this emotional connection to the authors life and experiences - many of which i could relate to a lot myself!!
i feel like everything in this collection of essays was crafted with so much care and it was noticeable in every sentence
i really do recommend this one
3.5 stars
Interesting connections between gender, sexuality, and identity with marine life.
