Tara Mcnabb

BookBrowse Review - The Darwin Affair The Darwin Affair by Tim Mason Paperback May 2020, 400 pages. Publisher: Algonquin Books ISBN-13:- BookBrowse: Critics: 5 stars 4.7 stars In this thrilling tale of murder and obsession, a sinister conspiracy is at the center of a bitter divide over the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. Set in London in 1860, The Darwin Affair blends fact and fiction, imagining a string of murders against the backdrop of the controversy that resulted from Charles Darwin's radical claims about evolution. After the string of grisly homicides, Inspector Charles Field is tasked with putting the pieces together. Could the killings be connected? And if so, how? When the royal family is targeted, things take an even darker turn. Prince Albert's approval of Darwin causes a stir among religious extremists, and many worry that the monarchy has lost the ability to discern what's best for the country. As the Inspector begins to slowly see the connections between these separate events, he makes an astonishing discovery; someone out there is dead-set on eliminating those who support Darwin's work. As rumors spread of a mysterious figure known only as the Chorister, Field must double his efforts to track the clues and prevent another murder before it's too late. With the royal family's safety now in jeopardy, it becomes a devilish game of cat-and-mouse that threatens to destroy the lives of innocents and plunge the country into chaos. There are several intriguing sub-plots and side characters that give the narrative a sense of richness and complexity. We are given glimpses into an imagined version of Darwin's home life and his relationship with his wife, Emma. The family's confusion and terror at the hostile backlash that follows Darwin's book is heartbreaking, as is the humility that Darwin himself seems to exude when he learns that the murders are connected to his work. Others suffer a different and altogether wretched fate at the hands of a madman; a young boy named Tom is kidnapped off the streets and kept in a coffin for days, then forced into a life of servitude. Vulnerable to his new master's fiery temper, Tom's despair is evident when he begins to suspect that this man is actually the infamous Chorister. His suspicions are confirmed when he witnesses firsthand his captor's brutal rage against another man: "The next blow, to the side of the head, was the last...A stinging scent of urine suddenly filled the coach." Moments later, Tom is ordered to empty the dead man's pockets. The young boy refuses, however, and so his captor "boxed his ear savagely." The sense of fear and paranoia is vividly felt through the moody descriptions of the gritty streets of London. Inspector Field must navigate through some of the seediest alleyways and back streets, all while looking for signs of the killer's presence. Darkness is closing in, and the street lamps do little to disperse the strong sense of foreboding. The killer lurks in the shadows, hiding himself just enough to go unnoticed. No one is safe, and the city provides no respite from the toiling and drudgery of existence: "Along the river Thames...each day brought forth swarms of ragged creatures who waded into the filth and sewage...searching for anything of value that 12/28/2019 © www.bookbrowse.com. All rights reserved. BookBrowse Review - The Darwin Affair might be salvaged and sold." This desperate atmosphere only serves to heighten the anxiety of a violent disaster that lurks just around the corner. Expertly written, the book successfully leads readers down a dark path of mystery, only to pull the rug out, leaving us shaken to the very core. The phenomenal and unexpected twist at the end is a reminder of the staying power of a great villain, one that is worth remembering long after the final page. With gripping dialogue, swift pacing and a fascinating premise, The Darwin Affair is a captivating hybrid of thriller and historical fiction. Reviewed by Tara Mcnabb The Darwin Affair: Beyond the Book The Controversy Surrounding On the Origin of Species The publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species forever changed the way humankind thought of themselves and their place in the world. Almost immediately, the public took sides; you were either pro-evolution or anti-evolution. This caused considerable strife between notable public figures at the time, and also resulted in heated debates at home. While the atheists were some of Darwin's most passionate supporters, other defenders came in the surprising form of liberal Anglicans who believed that natural selection was an elegant example of God's handiwork. Thomas Huxley, the English biologist and anthropologist, is perhaps Darwin's most famous public supporter. He was so aggressive during arguments and debates that he came to be known as "Darwin's Bulldog." There were a few favorable reviews of the book in the British press, including in The Times and the National Review. But Darwin's opponents also made their opinions known, and were sometimes fierce in their hostility. The concept of evolution had already been introduced into the public consciousness, notably by geologist Robert Chambers in his Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation, but most people, and religious authorities in particular, were adverse to the idea. Because of this, many were not keen on the topic resurfacing for further study. Darwin's theories were a direct threat to the main tenets of Christianity, that man exists because of divine purpose, not because of blind chance or evolution. Darwin's version of evolution featuring the "monkey man" idea was simply unthinkable to most. Even his previous teachers opposed him, including the geologists Adam Sedgwick and Charles Lyell, both of whom had a strong influence on Darwin during his formative years. Though these men worked in science, they tended to view the evolution of man from a religious standpoint, and were adamant that God played a role. 12/28/2019 © www.bookbrowse.com. All rights reserved. BookBrowse Review - The Darwin Affair man from a religious standpoint, and were adamant that God played a role. There was a famous public dispute in 1860, now known as the Oxford evolution debate. Bishop Samuel Willberforce argued against Darwin's theories, while Thomas Huxley argued for them. This is where Huxley gained his reputation for being intensely protective of Darwin's ideas, and following this event he began to fearlessly advocate the "Ape Origin of Man." The dramatic debate was regarded as emblematic of the struggle between religion and science, and Huxley saw it as a successful uprising against the clergy and their authority in education. Many clerical naturalists at the time were funded by the Church of England, so it's no surprise that they claimed their scientific findings were proof of God's work. For the most part, Darwin chose to insulate himself at home and ignore the negative reviews during this tumultuous period. But he was not always immune to the strain of being under the spotlight on such an international scale. Looking back, it's remarkable to learn that On the Origin of Species took twenty years to come to fruition, and in fact, Darwin published sooner than he had planned after being made aware that British naturalist Alfred Wallace was mulling over a nearly identical theory We are fortunate to have such a legacy, one that forms the basis of our scientific understanding of life and inspires us to continue sharing ideas no matter how controversial they may be. Photo: Thomas Huxley By Tara Mcnabb This review first ran in the July 10, 2019 issue of BookBrowse Recommends 12/28/2019 © www.bookbrowse.com. All rights reserved.