This Thing of Darkness

This book works very well as a thriller, a dashing adventure story, a philosophical discussion of God vs. Nature, the life and times in 19th century Britain, and the development of scientific ideas (weather, evolution, etc.) that we take for granted today. This is the best historical account of Darwin's psychological journey of seeking the designs of God in the natural world (as he fully and sincerely intended to do). It's a big novel, but I didn't want it to end!

The suicide of a British naval captain in 1828 while charting Tierra Del Feugo leads to the appointment of Robert FitzRoy as the commander of the Beagle. He advertises for a ship's naturalist, and Charles Darwin is appointed. Robert FitzRoy is a gifted leader of men and a brilliant lateral thinker but is also prone to episodes of deep despair (presented, most likely, as bi-polar depression) In this novel, which is based on history, Thompson explores ideas and relationships. Initially at least, this is as a naval adventure story which combines episodes of violence, danger and catastrophe. When Darwin and FitzRoy part company, the story moves more deeply into the politics of influence and of conflicting beliefs. On one level(but not entirely consistent with the history)neither man is as fully developed individually as they are whilst operating as a team on the Beagle. I found the story of FitzRoy more interesting, but probably because I know less about him. I suspect that dealing with two larger than life characters became more challenging once their spheres of influence became more separate and once 'known fact' impinged more on the story itself. This is a marvellous novel. It combines adventure, history, discovery and human weaknesses in a way which left me wanting to know more about both men and wondering, too, about the power of coincidence in life. Sadly, Harry Thompson died last year (7 November 2005)aged only 45. Highly recommended. Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Before the publication of this epic work by Harry Thompson, the novel that best described the famous voyage of H.M.S. Beagle was Irving Stone's The Origin: A Biographical Novel of Charles Darwin. Stone's work also portrayed Darwin's voyage from a youthful amateur naturalist through his development as a scientist, to his attainment of the pinnacle of fame as the primary developer of the theory of evolution by means of natural selection. Stone based his novel on considerable research into Darwin's works, those of his supporters and critics, and visits to the places where Darwin lived and worked. The impression he gave of Darwin was of a generous Victorian gentleman who found it difficult to publish his theory of evolution because of the criticism he knew it was likely to provoke, as well as his love for his wife (and cousin) Emma, who remained a traditional Christian who believed in the Biblical account of creation, which did not provide for creation of new species. In Thompson's novel, Darwin is not the protagonist. This leading role goes to Captain (later Rear Admiral) Robert Fitz Roy. Yet while Fitz Roy is the hero of this novel, Thompson weaves a double fictional biography--yet one grounded on consummate research--of Fitz Roy and Darwin, counterpoising the characters of the two men skillfully, both during the second voyage of the Beagle from 1831-1836 and in their subsequent careers following the Beagle's return to England. In Darwin, Thompson portrays the young scientist already given to detailed observation and abstraction of hypotheses as he encountered more adventures in his exploration of South America than the overwhelming majority of men encounter in their lifetimes. Yet, as depicted by Thompson, Darwin also seeks fame, sometimes neglecting obligations to his shipmates as he seeks to make a name for himself. Fitz Roy, by contrast, embodies the qualities of the military gentleman servant of the Crown. Staunch, firm in his beliefs, loyal to and fiercely supportive of his shipmates, Fitz Roy even draws on his own funds to buy additional boats to meet the requirements of mapping the coasts of the southern cone of South America when this proves impossible on the budget provided by the Admiralty. Darwin and Fitz Roy have some strong disagreements while on the Beagle, and their differences only grow stronger after the Beagle's return to England and Darwin begins to publish his findings. As we know, Darwin went on to worldwide fame, while Fitz Roy was relegated to a series of minor posts and knocked about by the bureaucracy and politicians. He was a true hero who was denied fame in his lifetime, and has only recently been accorded a measure of tribute, among other things, for developing the world's first system of weather forecasting. Thompson's work has to rank as a major historical novel, based on the development of its characters, faithful historical representation of the people and cultures of its time, and the clash of ideas

Harry Thompson who sadly passed away shortly after writing this book has given us a deeply absorbing and moving account of the voyages of Captain Robert Fitzroy upon his surveying ship the Beagle.Its a fascinating story masterfully told by an author who's quality of writing was pure genius.After reading this book I read a couple of other books by better known authors (I read this over six months ago) and found their writing trifling.A truly oustanding piece of writing.Not a book you will forget in a hurry.

Unfortunately the author Harry Thompson died shortly after completing this book. Which means that this is the only novel he will ever write. After reading the book it is apparent that we the reading public have lost a great novelist. I don't think I have been so excited about a book since Edward Rutherford wrote Sarum. Every schoolboy knows the name Darwin and the book charts his journey on HMS Beagle, a journey that was at times uplifting, at other frightening and sometimes even funny. When Charles Darwin set out on the Beagle he was a young trainee cleric and amateur geologist. The ship also had a new captain, a young naval officer called Robert FitzRoy, aged just 23 years old and given the job of surveying the wilds of Tierra del Fuego. The two young men strike up a firm friendship, but eventually the friendship is torn apart by twin obsessions. Obsessions that lead one man to triumph and the other to disaster . . . I found the book gripping and fast paced. One of those rare books that you really don't want to end. Thank you Harry, RIP