Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith

I just finished reading this novel and let me say, "Wow!" What a wonderful book. I enjoyed this book tremendously. I teach high school science, and in the Biology SCOS, Darwin and the Theory of Evolution is a strand. Reading this book gives me a new perspective on Darwin and his work, one that I can share with the students. This topic always presents "problems" in the classroom when we get to it, so I now feel that I have more information to enhance our class discussions.

I felt as if I was a part of the story. Heiligman did a good job with her research and putting it together for the reader. The story gives us great insight into the life and times of the Darwins, their triumphs and their heartaches. I cried when their children died, especially Annie. It reminds us that medicine has come a long way. The reader sees how strong Emma is in her faith and that she never gives up on Charles believing in God. Throughout the story we see Charles referring to God but he doesn't fully believe. The love that Charles and Emma share is awesome. Despite their difference in belief, they were perfect for each other. They both loved and adored each other to the end. They had an open and honest relationship, no matter the issue. I am so glad that Charles did not follow his father's advice and conceal his doubts. Their ability to communicate was a strong foundation for them. Not only did they communicate verbally, but they wrote each other letters, and each held the letters close to their heart. Emma and Charles loved their children and family very much (and that he used his children as specimens - very funny). How interesting that "back then" it was okay for first cousins to marry (and keep the money in the family) and have children, while today that is taboo. It also struck me that Charles recognized that there might be health issues in children to parents who were so closely related - even though genetics and heredity were not known until almost 100 years later.

What I found most interesting is that Charles is a religious person initially and I think continued to be to a certain degree. His issue was that he could not believe that God had created everything - that he may have created the "starter" animals and plants, but that there were changes that had occurred to those "starters" to give us variation over time. And if anyone noticed, his first publication On the Origin of the Species, there was nothing about man developing from monkey; it was the "society" that had put that out there to stir the pot. Darwin knew his ideas would turn the world upside-down, and he did not want to create chaos, but he knew he had to share what he had found out. Not only did he study the specimens he had collected on his five year voyage on the HMS Beagle, but he also studied barnacles, orchids, and worms among other things.

This novel has not converted me from my beliefs in creation, but it certainly gives me lots of things to think about and consider. I think someone can believe in God and then see how things can evolve - or change - over time. I don't think that is hypocrisy, do you? I am not really sure, but I will try to read more and give consideration to what I read.