This is an epic novel of sea-faring adventure set in the 19th century charting the life of Robert Fitzroy, the captain of `The Beagle` and his passenger Charles Darwin. It combines adventrure, emotion, ideas, humour and tragedy as well as illuminating the history of the 19th century. Fitzroy, the Christian Tory aristocrat, believed in the sanctity of the individual, but his beliefs destroyed his career and he committed suicide. Darwin, the liberal minor cleric doubts the truth of the Bible and develops his theory of evolution which is brutal and unforgiving in human terms. The two friends became bitter enemies as Darwin destroyed everything Fitzroy stood for.
This Thing Of Darkness
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'A bestseller is born...an easy and picturesque yarn made muscular by historical fact and philisophical ideas' -- Observer
'A brilliant historical novel. An impressive book; something big that deserves attension' -- Mail On Sunday
'It's an excellent read, in the traditions of Patrick O'Brian, and fully deserves its position on the Booker list' -- Daily Telegraph
The Spirit of Patrick O'Brian is not far away THIS THING OF DARKNESS IS... a superior adventure story' -- The Independent
'A brilliant historical novel. An impressive book; something big that deserves attension' -- Mail On Sunday
'It's an excellent read, in the traditions of Patrick O'Brian, and fully deserves its position on the Booker list' -- Daily Telegraph
The Spirit of Patrick O'Brian is not far away THIS THING OF DARKNESS IS... a superior adventure story' -- The Independent
From the Publisher
Long-listed for the Man Booker Prize 2005
Short-listed for the Pendleton May First Novel Award 2005
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This Thing of Darkness is an engrossing account of two protagonists, Robert Fitzroy and Charles Darwin from their early days together on The Beagle, spanning over thirty years. Harry Thompson has created a fascinating book that evokes the spirit of their adventures, their regular debates and philosophy that led them to develop their scientific thinking further in their careers and the history of the people they encountered. Based on historical fact, the conversation and description is effectively blended in to make an enthralling read. I was amused to note the authors postcript on how he used words from Tony Blair in a monologue by an Argentinian dictator.
It's not a dry, boring biography but completely fascinating. I was enthralled from start to finish.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Ivan P. Shaw
Format:Hardcover
This is a wondeful book tracing the intertwining lives of Charles Darwin and Robert FitzRoy. It has everything. FitzRoy was the brilliant captain of the Beagle, who shared a cabin with Darwin for 5 years whilst his ship was charting out new maps of the South Atlantic for the Admiralty. Darwin's "discoveries" and heretical views challenged everything that Fitzroy believed in. The book covers religious arguments and bigotry. It tells of racial experiments when natives were brought to England to be "civilised" and then sent back. It also describes the effects of depression. At the end of his career Fitzroy studied weather patterns and was the father of modern metereology. His storm forecasts saved thousands of lives. A taste of things to come - Britain conceived the idea but the Americans actually took it up and developed it.
Altogether a great read. I could not put the book down on holiday. Friends who have also bought the book have been similarly enthused.
Altogether a great read. I could not put the book down on holiday. Friends who have also bought the book have been similarly enthused.
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is one of the few books that I would read again. At first glance, Harry Thompson may not seem the obvious choice to write a novel about Charles Darwin and Robert FitzRoy - his c.v. reads more like a Who's Who of British television comedy of the 1990's (he produced 'Have I Got News For You' Harry Enfield etc...). However this meticulously researched novel is both entertaining and intellectually satisfying. Thompson not only gives a faithful and utterly compelling account of the lives of FitzRoy and Darwin, but also tackles the biggest issue of all.
This is not just a novel of ideas, but also one of action in which the narrative is driven forward by the extraordinary events experienced by the crew of the HMS Beagle. My favourite aspect of this novel is the wonderful sense of place. Apparently Harry Thompson travelled to all of the places described in this novel and it shows. His descriptions of the desolate landscape of Tierra del Fuego are incredibly evocative.
This is a wonderful novel, but don't just take my word for it. I've met several people who have read this book and they all loved it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly wonderful book
This is my Desert Island book. There is so much in it. Thompson has done a wonderful job of bringing Fitzroy to the fore - a badly underrated character in terms of his... Read more
Published 1 day ago by jane drew
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brings evolution alive, and naval history too
This book begins in 1828, when Captain Robert Fitzroy is given the task of surveying Tierra del Fuego on the now famous voyage of HMS Beagle, accompanied by the unknown amateur... Read more
Published 3 days ago by BtG
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read in Patagonia
A very interesting book, based on the travels, scientific endeavours and personality of Robert Fitzroy, as well as his professional relationship and personal friendship with... Read more
Published 21 days ago by LJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
received 'as new'
We had the book from our library and were so impressed with the story of Captain Fitzroy and Darwin, extremely well written and based on lots of facts, that we have bought three... Read more
Published 29 days ago by xmatalot
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book.
Fascinating and vivid evocation of a very different time. Great insights into Darwin and Fitzroy. The latter is an extraordinary and complex character who deserves to be far better... Read more
Published 3 months ago by C. M. Gonzalez-Pintado
4.0 out of 5 stars
Naval life at the time of great discoveries. Would we have an eighth...
Wonderful book ., despite the suicides. Gives an insight of naval life of the time and the extreme lonleiness the young captains must have felt.
Published 5 months ago by ingridcarter-johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Fantastic book ,i never knew anything about Admiral Fitzroy.So sad that the author has died as he told a brilliant story1
Published 5 months ago by french farmer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating read
An excellent book, which I am sure any history lover would thoroughly enjoy reading. The story is very well managed and it gives the reader an insight into many areas of life... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Rowan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cannot be recommended too strongly
Alas Harry Thompson is dead and so will not have the chance to repeat the triumph of what was his first novel the main part of which focuses on the voyage of the Beagle,... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. A. J. Downs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Epic
"This Thing of Darkness" is a phrase from Shakespeare's The Tempest, and refers to the savage / the native. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Z de MC
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