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Entangled Life

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures is a 2020 by Merlin Sheldrake that explores the profound and interconnected roles of fungi in shaping ecosystems, human culture, health, and environmental futures. Published by on May 12, 2020, the work presents fungi not merely as decomposers or pathogens but as essential architects of life on , forming vast underground networks that link , influence weather patterns, and challenge conventional notions of individuality and intelligence. Sheldrake structures the book around key fungal phenomena, beginning with the mycorrhizal associations that enable 90% of land plants to exchange nutrients and signals through fungal threads, often described as the "Wood Wide Web." He examines the fungus in Oregon's Malheur National Forest, which spans over 2,385 acres and is considered one of the on the planet. The narrative extends to fungi's biochemical prowess, including their like penicillin and psychoactive compounds in species such as mushrooms, which have influenced human and for millennia. Further chapters address fungi's adaptability and potential in addressing global challenges, from of pollutants to via mycorrhizal , and even speculative roles in space exploration through nutrient cycling in closed systems. Blending rigorous with vivid storytelling and personal experiments—like cultivating oyster mushrooms—Sheldrake argues that recognizing fungal entanglement fosters a more holistic view of and . The book garnered widespread acclaim for its accessible yet profound insights, becoming a Times and Sunday Times bestseller. It won the 2021 Royal Society Science Book Prize, the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing, and the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries Literature Award, while receiving endorsements from figures like . It has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and been translated into 32 languages. An illustrated edition, abridged and featuring over 100 color images, was released in 2023 to further illuminate fungal diversity and beauty.

Author and Background

Merlin Sheldrake

Merlin Sheldrake was born in 1987 in , , to the biologist and the musician and voice teacher Jill Purce. Growing up in , , alongside his brother, the musician , he was immersed in a household blending scientific inquiry with artistic expression, which shaped his interdisciplinary approach to . Sheldrake pursued his undergraduate studies in biological sciences at Clare College, , followed by a in the . He completed a in tropical at the University of Cambridge in 2016, with his dissertation centering on the ecology of mycorrhizal fungi and their underground networks in tropical rainforests. From a young age, Sheldrake developed a fascination with through outdoor explorations, sparking an early about fungi that evolved into focused scientific pursuit. This interest led him to conduct fieldwork in as a predoc at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, where he investigated symbiotic fungal-plant relationships in ecosystems. Prior to publishing Entangled Life, Sheldrake contributed to peer-reviewed , including a 2017 collaboration demonstrating consistent community structures among mycorrhizal fungi across natural ecosystems, highlighting their predictable ecological roles.

Research Contributions

Merlin Sheldrake's doctoral research, conducted as a at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, centered on the mycorrhizal networks formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the lowland tropical rainforests of Panama's Barro Colorado Island. His PhD thesis from the in tropical ecology examined how these underground networks facilitate communication and sharing between and fungi, particularly through symbiotic exchanges of carbon and . Sheldrake investigated the ecological dynamics of these partnerships by analyzing fungal community compositions and their responses to environmental manipulations, revealing how fungi act as intermediaries in resource distribution across forest ecosystems. In field experiments, Sheldrake utilized long-term addition plots to track how alterations in soil levels influence mycorrhizal associations and -fungal interactions. For instance, he observed that mycoheterotrophic like Voyria, which rely on fungi to obtain from photosynthetic hosts via shared networks, were absent from -enriched sites, indicating a where drives dependence on these fungal "markets." These setups involved monitoring abundance and fungal colonization in manipulated plots, highlighting the role of mycorrhizal networks in maintaining and cycling in -limited tropical soils. Following his , Sheldrake served as a at , where his work advanced understanding of fungal evolution and symbiosis in mycorrhizal systems. Collaborating with ecologists like E. Toby Kiers, he explored how fungi optimize resource trade with plants over evolutionary timescales, using experimental models to simulate network behaviors. This research underscored the adaptive strategies fungi employ in symbiotic relationships, such as selective nutrient allocation to cooperative plant partners. Sheldrake's key publications include seminal articles in high-impact journals, such as a 2025 paper detailing a "travelling-wave" model of mycelial in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which demonstrates how fungal hyphae expand as coordinated waves to efficiently forage for nutrients and form symbiotic links with plant roots. Another 2025 co-authored by Sheldrake maps global hotspots of mycorrhizal fungal richness, emphasizing their underprotection and critical ecological implications for and plant diversity. Earlier works, like his 2017 New Phytologist article on how litter manipulation alters arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in Panamanian forests, provide evidence of fungal responses to organic matter changes, informing broader insights into resilience. These contributions establish Sheldrake's expertise in fungal ecology, lending authoritative depth to his explorations of mycelial networks in Entangled Life.

Publication Details

Editions and Formats

Entangled Life was initially published on May 12, 2020, in hardcover by Random House in the United States and The Bodley Head in the United Kingdom, spanning 368 pages with ISBN 978-0-525-51031-4. The book has since been translated into over 30 languages to broaden its global reach, with notable editions including the Spanish La red oculta de la vida released on November 10, 2020, by GeoPlaneta, and the German Verwobenes Leben published on August 30, 2021, by Ullstein. Special formats enhance accessibility, such as the abridged illustrated edition released on November 7, 2023, by , featuring over 100 full-color images of fungi to visually complement the text. Additionally, an edition, narrated by Sheldrake himself, became available on May 12, 2020, through Audible, running approximately 9 hours and 32 minutes. Commercially successful, Entangled Life achieved New York Times bestseller status and surpassed one million copies sold worldwide by 2023.

Writing Process

The writing process for Entangled Life originated during 's PhD research in tropical ecology at the , where he began exploring fungal networks as a side project alongside his primary focus on underground mycorrhizal systems in Panamanian rainforests. This initial academic inquiry, rooted in his ecological background, gradually expanded into a broader narrative as Sheldrake recognized the limitations of scholarly papers in conveying fungi's profound interconnections with life on . By the mid-2010s, amid surging scientific and in the —exemplified by the emerging field of mycobiome studies that highlighted fungi's overlooked roles in health and ecosystems—the project evolved toward to reach a wider . Sheldrake's research blended empirical and historical approaches, combining laboratory experiments like of fungal samples with extensive field observations in Panamanian tropical forests and British woodlands, where he documented mycelial growth and symbiotic interactions firsthand. He also delved into archival materials, studying the mycological illustrations and theories of historical figures such as , whose detailed watercolors and spore germination research in the late provided insights into early fungal and challenged prevailing botanical views. This multifaceted , supported by a comprehensive review of over 300 references, allowed Sheldrake to ground the book's explorations in verifiable evidence while illuminating fungi's dynamic roles across scales. The development of the writing style involved iterative drafts that wove scientific explanations with personal essays, such as Sheldrake's accounts of fermenting experiments and psychedelic explorations, to humanize complex concepts like mycelial communication. Editors provided crucial feedback during revisions, urging a shift from technical to accessible metaphors—such as the "wood wide web"—to enhance readability without sacrificing precision, resulting in a narrative that prioritizes wonder and interconnection over dense academia. Key challenges included maintaining scientific rigor amid storytelling demands, particularly in verifying counterintuitive fungal behaviors like rapid spore ejection, which required consulting experts and multiple fact-checks during editing. Sheldrake also navigated ethical considerations in addressing psychedelics, carefully distinguishing personal subjective experiences from to avoid overstating unverified therapeutic claims while advocating for cautious, informed discussion of their cultural and biological significance.

Content Summary

Book Structure

Entangled Life consists of an , eight , and an , progressing through topics on mycelial networks, symbiotic relationships, and human-fungi interactions. The book opens with the "What Is It Like to Be a Fungus?," setting the stage for the hidden, interconnected world of . Chapter 1, "A Lure," introduces fungal chemical signals and attractions, such as those in truffles. The narrative advances to Chapter 6, "Wood Wide Webs," which details the mycorrhizal partnerships that connect to vast underground fungal networks, facilitating nutrient exchange across ecosystems. Chapter 3, "The Intimacy of Strangers," and Chapter 5, "Before Roots," explore lichens as composite organisms formed by fungal-algal symbioses, illustrating the evolutionary intimacy of these entanglements. The , "This ," contemplates the broader implications of fungal-human coexistence, envisioning future collaborations in and . The book's narrative employs that intersperses personal anecdotes from Sheldrake's fieldwork with rigorous scientific explanations to maintain reader engagement across scales. Diagrams of fungal structures, such as mycelial patterns and symbiotic interfaces, enhance visual understanding throughout the text. Comprehensive endnotes and an extensive support the content with numerous scientific references, enabling verification and further reading without disrupting the main flow. In the 352-page edition, the pacing builds methodically from intimate, microscopic fungal behaviors to expansive global impacts, fostering a sense of discovery.

Core Themes

One of the central motifs in Entangled Life is the theme of entanglement, portraying fungi as intricate connectors within ecosystems that dissolve conventional boundaries between individual organisms. Through mycorrhizal associations, fungal hyphae form vast underground networks linking the roots of , facilitating the exchange of nutrients, , and chemical signals across species, often described as the "Wood Wide Web." This challenges anthropocentric notions of , as fungi enable collaborative survival strategies, with over 90% of land relying on these partnerships for essential minerals and resources. Sheldrake illustrates how mycelial threads exhibit adaptive behaviors, such as directional regrowth toward nutrient sources, underscoring fungi's role as ecological connective tissue that fosters interdependence rather than isolation. Another key theme is decomposition and renewal, emphasizing fungi's pivotal function in breaking down to sustain life's cycles. As external digesters, fungi secrete enzymes to dissolve complex compounds like in wood, nutrients back into soils and preventing ecological stagnation. This process not only clears environmental —such as oil spills—but also renews habitats, positioning fungi as indispensable agents in planetary regeneration. Sheldrake highlights examples like saprotrophic fungi that transform dead matter into fertile ground, illustrating how these organisms underpin by converting decay into the building blocks of new growth. The book also explores human-fungi connections, revealing how fungi profoundly shape society and consciousness through practical and transformative interactions. In , yeasts like drive the production of , , and other staples, embedding fungi into daily human culture as enablers of nourishment and social rituals. Psychedelic mushrooms containing further extend this influence, altering perception and prompting reevaluations of individuality and interconnectedness, as seen in indigenous practices and modern therapeutic research. These entanglements demonstrate fungi's capacity to infiltrate and mindset, from metabolic processes to expanded awareness. Finally, Entangled Life presents an evolutionary perspective on fungi as ancient innovators that predated and propelled the colonization of land. Emerging over a billion years ago, fungi formed symbiotic lichens with , pioneering rock-weathering to create and enabling plant life's terrestrial expansion. This cooperative dynamic, involving and mutual adaptations, reshaped Earth's , with fungi influencing the of , , and beyond through ongoing symbioses. Sheldrake argues that such innovations reveal as a web of entanglements, where fungi's foundational contributions continue to drive biological diversity.

Scientific and Philosophical Elements

Fungal Biology Explored

Fungi exhibit a remarkable mycelial structure, consisting of a of thread-like hyphae that intertwine to form extensive underground webs capable of spanning vast areas. These mycelia function as the primary vegetative body of the fungus, facilitating nutrient absorption and across expansive territories. A prominent example is the specimen in Oregon's Malheur National Forest, which covers 2,385 acres (approximately 3.7 square miles or 9.65 square kilometers) and is considered the largest single living organism by area. This colossal , estimated to weigh between 7,500 and 35,000 tons, underscores the mycelium's capacity for indefinite growth and resilience in forest ecosystems. Symbiotic relationships are central to fungal biology, with mycorrhizae representing a key mutualism between fungi and plant roots. In this association, fungi extend their hyphae into the soil to enhance the uptake of minerals such as phosphorus and nitrogen, in exchange for carbohydrates produced by the plant through photosynthesis. Over 80% of vascular plants form these partnerships, which are essential for nutrient cycling and plant growth in nutrient-poor soils. Similarly, lichens embody a symbiotic fusion of fungi with photosynthetic partners, typically algae or cyanobacteria, enabling survival in extreme environments like arctic tundras, hot deserts, and rocky coasts. The fungal component provides structural protection and moisture retention, while the algal partner supplies energy via photosynthesis, allowing lichens to colonize harsh habitats where few other organisms thrive. Fungal reproduction primarily occurs through spores, microscopic reproductive units dispersed by wind, water, or to initiate new growth. These spores germinate into hyphae, which may fuse to form fruiting bodies—specialized structures like mushrooms that elevate spores for efficient dispersal. This process supports both and , with fruiting bodies serving as the visible manifestation of the underlying mycelial network. Fungal diversity is immense, with estimates suggesting 2.2 to 3.8 million worldwide, though only about 5%—roughly 150,000—have been formally identified and described. This underrepresentation highlights the kingdom's vast, largely unexplored complexity, spanning from microscopic yeasts to massive macrofungi. Ecologically, fungi play pivotal roles in decomposition, particularly through enzymes that break down , the tough in that resists decay. White-rot fungi, such as those in the phylum, produce ligninolytic enzymes like peroxidases, enabling the complete mineralization of wood components into simpler compounds, which recycles s back into ecosystems. Beyond decomposition, fungi contribute to by storing carbon in their and stabilizing ; mycorrhizal fungi alone absorb an estimated 13 billion tons of annually, bolstering global carbon cycles. Their activities also enhance by improving structure, retention, and availability, fostering resilient terrestrial ecosystems.

Entanglement Concepts

In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake explores mycelial networks as exemplars of , likening the "wood wide web"—a vast underground system of fungal hyphae connecting —to a decentralized for communication and resource exchange without a central . This metaphor illustrates how fungi facilitate , such as carbon and transfers, enabling collective in forest ecosystems where individual respond adaptively to threats like herbivory or . Sheldrake emphasizes that these networks operate through emergent properties, where local interactions yield global coordination, challenging hierarchical models of organization in and beyond. Sheldrake critiques individualism in by presenting fungi not as discrete organisms but as dynamic "assemblages" formed through , echoing Lynn Margulis's foundational work on endosymbiosis as a driver of evolutionary innovation. Margulis argued that cooperative mergers, such as forming mitochondria, underpin major transitions in life, countering the neo-Darwinian emphasis on competition by highlighting mutualism's role in complexity. In the book, this perspective reframes fungal ecology as a web of entangled partnerships that undermine atomistic views of species, suggesting ecosystems thrive via fluid, non-competitive collaborations rather than zero-sum rivalries. The text delves into mind-altering fungi, particularly psilocybin-producing species, as agents that dissolve perceptual boundaries and foster interconnectedness, drawing parallels between ceremonial uses and contemporary therapeutic applications. practices, for instance, have employed mushrooms for spiritual healing and for centuries, viewing them as portals to communal wisdom. Modern research supports this by demonstrating 's efficacy in treating and anxiety through and ego-dissolution, with clinical trials showing sustained perceptual shifts toward empathy and unity. Looking forward, Sheldrake envisions fungi's role in and as extensions of their entangling nature, offering solutions to human-induced crises. harnesses to degrade pollutants like hydrocarbons in oil spills, as demonstrated by strains of oyster mushrooms that break down into harmless compounds, potentially restoring contaminated sites efficiently. In , engineered fungi could produce biomaterials or pharmaceuticals via mycelial , leveraging their modular growth for sustainable that mimics natural networks.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reviews

Entangled Life received widespread acclaim from critics for its engaging prose and insightful exploration of fungal biology. The New York Times described it as an "ebullient and ambitious exploration" of a subject that surrounds us yet is often overlooked, praising Sheldrake's ability to blend scientific rigor with vivid storytelling. Similarly, The Guardian called it "brilliant [and] entrancing," highlighting its mind-bending prose that interweaves personal anecdotes, historical context, and cutting-edge research to reveal the interconnectedness of life through fungi. The Wall Street Journal lauded it as a "gorgeous book of literary nature writing," ripe with insight into the enigmatic world of fungi and their profound influence on ecosystems and human culture. User reception echoed professional praise, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on over 49,000 reviews, reflecting broad appeal among general readers for its accessible yet profound treatment of mycological themes. Despite the enthusiasm, some critiques pointed to minor limitations in its approach to complex topics. Reviewers in major outlets noted the potential pitfalls of anthropomorphizing fungal behaviors, such as attributing or communication in ways that risk projecting human traits onto non-sentient , though Sheldrake himself addresses this within the text. Others observed occasional oversimplification of intricate ecological dynamics, particularly in speculative discussions of fungal networks' societal implications, which could blur the line between established and emerging hypotheses. In comparative context, Entangled Life is often juxtaposed with Peter Wohlleben's The Hidden Life of Trees, sharing a lens on underground networks and interspecies but distinguished by its narrower, deeper focus on fungi as the "great connectors" of the living world rather than arboreal ecosystems. The book's influence extended to sparking a broader "mycological " in literature by 2021, fueling public fascination with fungi amid growing awareness of their ecological and biotechnological potential, as evidenced by subsequent surges in related publications and media coverage.

Awards and Recognition

Entangled Life received widespread acclaim shortly after its publication, earning several prestigious awards that highlighted its contributions to writing, nature literature, and culinary science. In , the book won the Royal Society Prize for Science Books, recognizing its outstanding exploration of fungal and its ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. The prize, worth £25,000, underscored the book's role in advancing public understanding of fungi's vital ecological and biological roles. That same year, Entangled Life was awarded the Wainwright Prize for Global Conservation and Climate Change, part of the broader Wainwright Prizes for , for its insightful blend of and ecological of fungal networks. This accolade emphasized the book's examination of how fungi influence environmental systems and human perspectives on interconnectedness. Additionally, it secured the Guild of Food Writers First Book Award, celebrating its engaging discussions on processes and the culinary potential of edible fungi. It also won the 2021 Annual Literature Award from the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, honoring its contributions to botanical literature. The book was also shortlisted for the Non-Fiction Book of the Year in 2021, affirming its literary merit among top works. Earlier, in 2020, it was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 Must-Read Books of the Year, noting its revelatory take on the fungal world. Following these honors, Entangled Life continued to influence , featuring in a 2024 event at the titled "Imagine… Science: Entangled Life," where author Sheldrake discussed fungi's mind-altering potential. As of November 2025, no additional major awards have been bestowed upon the book.

Media and Cultural Impact

Adaptations

The audiobook adaptation of Entangled Life, released on May 12, 2020, by Audio, is narrated by the author, Merlin Sheldrake, and runs for 9 hours and 32 minutes. Sheldrake's delivery has been widely praised for its immersive and poetic quality, enhancing the book's exploration of fungal networks through a husky, precise voice that conveys scientific passion and wonder. In late 2020, the book was adapted into an abridged radio serialization as BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week, airing from November 23 to 27, with Sheldrake reading 15-minute excerpts each day. Adapted by Isobel Creed and Jill Waters, the series introduced listeners to key fungal concepts from the text, blending Sheldrake's narration with evocative to evoke the underground mycelial world. The 2023 IMAX documentary Fungi: Web of Life, presented by Sheldrake and narrated by , draws inspiration from Entangled Life to visualize fungi's role in shaping ecosystems and life on . Running approximately 40 minutes and released theatrically in the United States on January 7, 2023, the film features Sheldrake's quest for a rare blue mushroom in Tasmania's ancient rainforests, incorporating stunning time-lapse footage of fungal growth and global explorations of mycelial networks. It later aired on platforms in November 2024, emphasizing fungi's hidden connections as echoed in Sheldrake's writing. In 2025, Sheldrake launched The Secret Life of Fungi live tour, a series of lectures across the , , and , featuring visuals and time-lapse sequences from Fungi: Web of Life to delve into fungal biology and its implications for environmental . Events, such as the October 20 performance at London's , combine Sheldrake's live narration with immersive projections, extending the book's themes into interactive, mind-expanding experiences lasting about 110 minutes. As of November 2025, no or series of Entangled Life has been confirmed. The book Entangled Life has permeated various facets of , particularly in , where it directly inspired designer van Herpen's Spring/Summer 2021 haute couture collection titled Roots of Rebirth. The collection incorporated 3D-printed elements and pleated fabrics that evoked mycelium networks and fungal structures, such as gill-like formations and spore-like lace, highlighting the symbiotic and regenerative themes central to Sheldrake's exploration of fungi. In media, the book received prominent mentions in high-profile podcasts, including episode #1678 of in July 2021, where guest described it as "a beautiful book called Entangled Life about fungi" and emphasized its insights into interspecies relationships. This exposure helped amplify its reach among broader audiences interested in and . Entangled Life has also fueled a notable uptick in public fascination with , contributing to trends like urban and educational initiatives on fungal ecosystems, as evidenced by the rise in fungi-themed content and workshops following its 2020 release. By 2024, this influence extended to platforms like Talks, including presentations on fungal resilience and practices that echoed the book's themes of entanglement and .

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