Can you give some examples to illustrate the meaning of 'stranger than fiction'?

Sure. The discovery of penicillin was quite strange. Alexander Fleming left a petri dish uncovered by accident, and mold grew on it which turned out to have antibacterial properties. This accidental discovery changed the course of medicine in a way that would seem almost too convenient in a fictional story.

Yes. Consider the story of Phineas Gage. He was a railroad construction foreman. An iron rod accidentally pierced through his head, but he survived. After that, his personality changed significantly. This real - life event is far stranger than many fictional tales. Fiction often follows certain patterns and expectations, but real - life incidents can be completely unpredictable.

Sure. The story of Rasputin is a great example. He was this Siberian peasant who had an extraordinary influence on the Russian royal family. He seemed to be able to survive numerous assassination attempts, including being poisoned, shot, and beaten, before finally being drowned. It's like something from a wild, over - the - top fictional story, but it was real history.

Sure. For example, the discovery of quantum mechanics. Particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously and seem to communicate instantaneously over vast distances, which is far stranger than most fictional concepts. Also, some real - life historical events like the fall of the Roman Empire had such complex and unexpected twists and turns that it's hard to imagine a fictional story being so convoluted.

Sure. Take the Watergate scandal for example. Who could have thought that a simple break - in at the Watergate complex would be linked to the highest levels of the US government? It involved a complex web of cover - ups, secret tapes, and political intrigue that was far more convoluted than most fictional spy or political dramas.

Sure. Take the case of the discovery of penicillin. Alexander Fleming accidentally left a petri dish uncovered, and mold grew on it which killed the bacteria. It was a completely unexpected real - life event that seems more outlandish than a made - up story in a fiction book about a miracle cure being discovered by chance.

Yes. In the world of politics, there are often unexpected events. For instance, some leaders make sudden and extreme policy changes that no one could have predicted. Also, in nature, there are real - life phenomena like the migrations of some animals that are so complex and incredible that they seem like something out of a fantasy novel but are actually true.

Sure. Take the story of the Voyager probes. These man - made objects have traveled out into the far reaches of our solar system and beyond. It's like a science - fiction concept come to life.

Sure. For example, there are people who have survived falling from extremely high altitudes with only minor injuries. In fiction, such a scenario might be designed carefully to seem plausible, but in real life it just randomly happens. Another instance is the discovery of some extremely rare species in the most unexpected places. Fiction writers might struggle to come up with such unique and unexpected findings.

Another example is the discovery of the coelacanth. This fish was thought to have been extinct for millions of years until it was found alive in the 20th century. Such a discovery is like something out of a science - fiction book but is a real - life wonder. Also, there are many cases of people having déjà vu experiences that are difficult to explain fully, much stranger than a simple fictional account of such a phenomenon.