Figuring

By: Maria Popova

Narrated by: Natascha McElhone

Length: 21 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Figuring explores the complexities of love and the human search for truth and meaning through the interconnected lives of several historical figures across four centuries - beginning with the astronomer Johannes Kepler, who discovered the laws of planetary motion, and ending with the marine biologist and author Rachel Carson, who catalyzed the environmental movement. 

Stretching between these figures is a cast of artists, writers, and scientists - mostly women, mostly queer - whose public contribution have risen out of their unclassifiable and often heartbreaking private relationships to change the way we understand, experience, and appreciate the universe. Among them are the astronomer Maria Mitchell, who paved the way for women in science; the sculptor Harriet Hosmer, who did the same in art; the journalist and literary critic Margaret Fuller, who sparked the feminist movement; and the poet Emily Dickinson.

Emanating from these lives are larger questions about the measure of a good life and what it means to leave a lasting mark of betterment on an imperfect world: Are achievement and acclaim enough for happiness? Is genius? Is love? Weaving through the narrative is a set of peripheral figures - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charles Darwin, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Herman Melville, Frederick Douglass, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Walt Whitman - and a tapestry of themes spanning music, feminism, the history of science, the rise and decline of religion, and how the intersection of astronomy, poetry, and transcendentalist philosophy fomented the environmental movement.

©2019 Maria Popova (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The polymathic Popova, presiding genius behind brainpickings.org, looks at some of the forgotten heroes of science, art, and culture...she peppers thoughtful, lucid consideration of acts of the imagination with stories that, if ever aired before, are too little known.... Throughout her complex, consistently stimulating narrative, the author blends biography, cultural criticism, and journalism to forge elegant connections: Dickinson feeds onto Carson, who looks back to Mitchell, who looks forward to Popova herself, and with plenty of milestones along the way.... A lyrical work of intellectual history, one that Popova's many followers will await eagerly and that deserves to win her many more.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Stunning

This is now one of my favorite books of all time. Having no idea what to expect, I followed the recommendation of the Patti Smith who praised Figuring on Instagram in such a reverent tone, I put it at the top of my reading list. I am so happy I followed my intuition.

Also, I would like somehow to have Natascha McElhone read every book to me from now on - her reading was perfectly wonderful.

Fascinating collection of biographical accounts

The narration was wonderful. The story hops around quite a bit between decades and centuries so it requires the utmost attention to follow. Nevertheless, the author strings words and sentences together as eloquently as the legends she honors with this magnificent work of art.

A Symphony of Beauty, Wonder, and Truth

This book is a triumph. It is an offering of the author’s soul and a splendid expression of beauty, pain, and meaning. I have never felt peace knowing that we are fragments of stardust flung broadside against an unfeeling and uncaring universe, but this book is a celebration of the human spirit to flame and dance in the face of such wonderful annihilation. Maria Popova must write more, but even if this little volume remains the only testament to her empathy and brilliance, it is testament enough.

Loved the entire book!

I absolutely loved this book. It is History, but not dry; Feminist, but not strident; Lyrical, but not sappy. The first-person narrator's voice is woven in so that she is ever present and yet, most of the time, nearly invisible. It is non-fiction that places you in-scene so effectively, with characters drawn so vividly, that it transports the way great fiction does. Oh, on top of all that, it is both insightful and educational. I am so very pleased to have discovered this author. I wish I could recall who recommended this book to me so I could thank them.

Brilliant

Extraordinary writer, thinker and soul! I’ve read the author’s newsletter, which I recommend highly, and stand in awe of her!

An Amazing work

This is a truly inspired and beautiful book. Popova does a masterful job of weaving together the complex themes of science, art, genius and creativity amide the back drop of women’s and gender equality life and love.

Not for me

I did not get past a few chapters in this book. After reading so many positive reviews, I was disappointed at the plodding telling of I guess magical threads of great thoughts of scientists and artists across the centuries. Maybe it really picked up in later chapters, but I just couldn’t get there. I just couldn’t care. Secondly, and while I this criticism isn’t confined to this audio book alone, the epigraphs to each chapter only add to the confusion of the work. There is no way to tell whether these spoken words are an epigraph or part of the author’s original work. Surely audio book directors can devise methods that allows their listeners to get the full enjoyment of the written book in an aural means. I can think of plenty of such devises. Oh well, enough said.

Absolutely overwhelming

A beautifully told series of vignettes illustrating the author's sweeping vision of the human condition

Popova is like no one else

Poignant and with purpose, her blog and books are a true delight. Eye opening, heart searching, and mind blowing. Loved every minute.

Superb

I read reviews very purposefully as I was completely unfamiliar with this author, Maria Popova, and knew nothing about the book. I selected it as each review described the subject with accolades and I was very interested in the arts, the early science of Kepler, the Philosophy and interactions of the Transcendentalists, the poet Emily Dickenson, and to know more about Rachel Carson. It exceeded all of my wishes and curiosities. It is a book of which I must have the hard copy - which is a rare in these times.