Books
by Harry Thompson
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This Thing of Darkness |
Fictionalised but fully researched life of Captain Fitzroy of the Beagle - an epic of sea-faring adventure, dramatic landscapes, tragi-comic Fuegians, scientific discovery, personal disaster and the Empire. Dominated by Fitzroy, brave, able well-intentioned but his own, troubled, worst enemy, and the inexperienced, affable Darwin in whom brilliant observation and independent thought are balanced by some less sympathetic behaviour. A friendship soured. Terrific story, grippingly and movingly told.
(Tony Pratt - bwl 58 Autumn 2010) |
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This Thing of Darkness |
A substantial read - but do not let this put you off, nor that it is in that fashionable "genre" of "faction" - a fictionalised treatment of historical events. Here it is the voyage of the Beagle with Charles Darwin on board under the command of Fitzroy. My heart sank - but no, it was a riveting read not least because of the central protagonist, Fitzroy himself - someone we should know more about - an unsung hero. Read it to find out why.
(Ferelith Hordon - bwl 94 Autumn 2019) |
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