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)

Absolutely overwhelming

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

Diving Deep Into the Cosmic Connection

It’s rare when I finish reading or listening to a book and feel exquisitely exhausted. This remarkable book is so richly filled with interwoven relationships, historical facts, extraordinary prose and poetry and subtle nuances that it’s a lot to take in. Similar to a feast of your favorite foods, a few you have never seen or tasted, and some that imparted an entirely different flavor than what you expected. One must pause periodically to simply savor it.
While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my weekly dose of Brain Picking in my email, this takes us above and beyond, to the very depths of our human experience, it’s glories and tragedies.
You will come away likely questioning everything you “learned” in traditional education regarding these fascinating souls. And that, in my opinion, is a very, very good thing.

Learned a lot - great audiobook

Beautiful writing that introduced me to many new people and gave me more info about familiar ones. A bit slow at times but overall worth the time. It is a different structure but once I caught on, I liked how it kept me on my toes.

Unparalleled

What a book. What a treasure. I immediately subscribed to The Marginalian, the author’s blog, upon finishing this book. My reading list for the next several years is Fuller, Dickinson, Emerson, Carson. I’m so grateful to have been pushed back towards these giants as an adult.

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.

Among the very best works I have ever read.

This is an exceptional work, an honest and heart opening reflection of human life. and more.

Stream of higher consciousness

Maria popova delights and amazes with her integration of history, philosophy, science and human drama across four centuries. I’ve been a fan of her Brain Pickings newsletter for years. If each newsletter is a dip in the water, then this book is a voyage at sea. Makes for contemplative, thought provoking listening. Natascha McElhone’s sublime performance brings vivacity and depth. Thank you Maria for taking the time to make this book as meticulous and perfect as you did.

One of the best!

This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to and one of the best books I have read. I am a wondered and a wanderer and this book embodies my spirit I never could. Every day I find myself deviating from my tasks to find out more about thoughts that sprout in my head just like seeds sprouting after heavy rainfall. For some time I felt ashamed at my lack of “discipline”, after all, as a medical student and a mom there is not enough time in the day to go to clinics, do 100 questions, be a good mother and caring wife for me to spend two hours researching the cause of death of Lord Byron or if Anne Boleyn’s mouth could really move after decapitation… After reading this book it’s is clear to me that I am just “Figuring”. I like to think of it that way. It even helps me to move past the urge to know more and concentrate on what is it that I need to do. Anyhow, the way Ms. Popova has managed to weave seemingly random facts and events in the lives of great men and women is masterful. I didn’t read her blog or read much about her prior to listening to the book. I read it because the premise intrigued me and it had 5 starts. I must admit that at times I was lost. About halfway to the book I looked up more about it thinking I was missing the point, only to discover there is no point. With the book I could let my mind roam free. No notes to take, no ideas to uncover. I found that listening to it was a form of meditation. I am happy I listened to it. I even bought a physical copy to experience it differently and see what more I can yield from it. If you don’t need a clear idea and you are not bothered by loose threads (that eventually will be tied up) that meander to space, time, and LIVES, then this book will satisfy you. Listen to it slowly and enjoy the ride through the rabbit hole. It’s delightful!

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.

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.