The Hickensian

14.09.08 This Thing of Darkness

7 comments

I don’t often get gifts from a client, especially one that I haven’t actually started working with yet, but when I met Dean Madden from Reading University that’s what he did. We met to discuss ‘DNA to Darwin’, an educational resource to coincide with Darwin’s centenary next year, and to get me in the mood, he gave me a copy of This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson.

It’s a novelisation of the lives of Robert Fitzroy (Captain of the HMS Beagle), and Charles Darwin, as they make their survey expedition to South America and the Galapagos Islands, as well as Fitzroy’s first journey and the years after their return to England. Based on real events, there’s very little embellishment, and where the author has changed events to improve the narrative, these are stated at the end of the book. The most interesting change is a meeting between Darwin and General Rosas, where the future dictator’s speech defending his actions is lifted verbatim from Tony Blair. While I was aware of Darwin’s contribution to the world, I knew little about Fitzroy, but it turns he has much to be lauded for – for example, he invented weather forecasting.

It’s gripping and tragic, with a cinematic feel throughout. A part of me wanted it to end just before their return to England, as from then on it’s a downward spiral for Fitzroy. Heart-breaking tragedy aside, I have to recommend it. I haven’t a enjoyed a book so much in years.

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No.1

∞ dennis said 549 days ago:

… i remember watching “The Bridges Of Madison County” (C.Eastwood/M.Streep) in summer on a free open air cinema in my hometown… with about a thound other people just sitting there on the ground with little BBQ, Drinks and soft conversation. I came in accidently and – besides the film is a good one – I enjoyed the whole situation a lot … so, the best things to enjoy are sometimes those that you wont expect to come … indeed I myself had a heart-ache so everything fit perfectly ,-)

No.2

∞ Andy Croll said 549 days ago:

I’ve been recommending this to all and sundry since I read it a couple of years ago. Just a magnificent read.

If you haven’t managed to read it I recommend ‘Cloud Atlas’ by David Mitchell as another book that took me by surprise in it’s onion-y splendidness.

No.3

∞ Chris Ivens said 548 days ago:

This may seem like a blatant plug which I assure you it isn’t. My wife works for Erasmus Darwin House in Lichfield. Erasmus is Charles’ grandfather and came up with a good deal of the theory of evolution long before Charles picked up the baton. They are, along with many of the Charles Darwin and ‘Lunar Men’ establishments going to be celebrating the Darwin 200 which, as you say is Charles Darwin’s centenary. All being well their new exhibition (currently in planning) will be finished in the first couple of months too.

If anybody is interested in this kind of thing, it’ll be an exciting year with a host of unique events for the occasion. Hopefully I haven’t made this sound too much like an advert but I myself am excited after hearing all the ‘inside information’ I’ve been privy to.

No.4

∞ Martin said 546 days ago:

Pirates! In an adventure with Scientists'' by Gideon Defoe is an equally exciting and eventful account of the voyage by Fitzroy and Darwin.

Highly recommended.

No.5

∞ drmadden said 542 days ago:

Many of Darwin’s words in the book are taken from his own journals (both his Beagle Diary and the more formal Voyage of the Beagle). Although the language is reasonably authentic throughout, one or two modern idioms have crept in — someone wanting to ‘make a difference’ grates horribly.

No.6

∞ Alex Young said 537 days ago:

Does it have a similar atmosphere/style to the historical Neal Stephenson novels?

I really enjoyed The Baroque Cycle and wouldn’t mind reading something similar.

No.7

∞ drmadden said 536 days ago:

TToD is a fairly accurate historical novel based on a very well-known story. There are few surprises and the plot is not magnificently baroque in that way that Stephenson’s usually are. If you enjoyed the Stephenson books, however, you will probably enjoy TToD. It’s a tragedy that Harry Thompson died so young.