Probably the best non-fiction book I've ever read! If you had told me that a book combining philosophy and a 19th/20th century taxonomist would be so compelling I wouldn't have believed it.

It celebrates diversity, difference and adaptability and warns about the dangers of judgement, assumption, classification, sitting on things we've always "known", and assigning value.

The author goes on a personal quest to reconcile her struggle with mental health and to understand the meaning and significance of life.

This genre-defying book is brilliant! So readable, so profound. Can't believe it's a debut. I would never had picked it up had it not been longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction 2025, but I'm so glad I did.