Charles and Emma

I really enjoyed this book. I like reading books about historical figures and I liked how it opened up. I like how it read as both a story and a biography. Also, I thought the opening was funny with how Charles wrote a pro & con list about marriage; he wasn't even seeing anyone yet! I feel like the plot was split between Charles and his evolution series process/adventures and then Emma and Charles relationship development/family. I think that bringing these two together made it more interesting and would allow for a wider audience. I could see some readers liking one part of the plot and other readers like the other. I think girls would enjoy the parts that dealt with Emma and Charles a lot because it is more about family and dealing with love.

I enjoyed how Heiligman developed Emma and Charles as both real people and characters. I felt I could relate to both of them because of the ideas, sympathies, and beliefs they both had. I can relate to Charles because, at times, he seemed a bit introverted. I also am like this because I need my alone time. I liked how he talked about how he needed to be with someone who would accept that he had other hobbies and that whomever he married needed to understand that. I believe Emma was good at understanding and accepting what type of man Charles was. I think it is hard to know that your significant other may put you second at times when they need to focus on some other matter. I also liked how Charles and Emma's love for each other and Annie allowed them to heal seperately and together following her death. I think that after her death, Emma may have held too much grief inside and Charles may have worked himself too hard to put it out of his mind, but all in all, I thought it was important that teens see how death needs to be dealt with people you love and alone as well because that is how you will get closure. In chapter 7, Charles deals with his theories, but on page 52 he wonders what Emma would think and how she would feel with his " flirting with materialism." I think this shows readers how Charles was a real person who also wanted his significant other to accept him. So many teens worry about if someone they like will agree with their ideas and if they do not, they will often change to that person's beliefs because they want to be liked. Charles "juxtaposition of his heart and mind" shows readers how everyone, even someone who wrote the Origin of Species battles with his feelings.

One question that I did have was when I was looking at the pictures, it looks like William and George are wearing dresses. Was this common? Or am I seeing things?