Not quite a perfect book and not quite what I expected, but interesting, very clearly well-written, and moving nonetheless. I, like other readers, expected to learn more about the ecology and biology of the eel. After finishing the book, I think the point is that we actually know very little about the eel, even as people as far back as Aristotle have dedicated countless hours to unraveling the mystery around this elusive fish.

I thought the author's connection between the eel and memories of his father had the most staying power. I appreciate a well-written memoir, and I think you can count this as one.

Note that the author's father is not the type of man to flinch from animal death when it serves a purpose (alleviation from suffering/to provide food), and there are graphic descriptions of killing and skinning eels and less graphic descriptions of older cats being put down off screen.

Ugh what an ending. Learned lots of eel facts!

Author lost their dad to cancer at the end of the book.

Not an ideal read for me right now.