Second chapter: cynarasamba's book

[mybabysinthegarden]

Hi!

Hello, thanks Cynara for sending me this book. I really enjoyed it, particularly the second half (thought it took a while to get going). The geographical descriptions and those of life on board the Beagle were very effective, I thought his characterisation could have been a little stronger (in particular, I think Darwin came across as an insufferable arse so it was hard to get terribly excited about his discovery of the laws of natural selection). But FitzRoy's story was very compelling and sad too. Overall a good read and did keep me going right to the end (quite rare that I read such a long book these days!).

To those who enjoy it, I would recommend Thomas Pynchon's Mason & Dixon and, if you really have time on your hands, Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle.

Thanks for the feedback Meg, and a couple of other recommendations too which is a bonus. I've just ordered them from my library so should keep me going for a while.

I was getting a little worried from your comments that I should have chosen Cranford instead which is much shorter! I'm glad you enjoyed it, hope everyone else does. For me the mix of history/travel/adventure/science was most appealing and made it very different to my regular reading.

I agree the characterisation was not the best (dare I say this can be the case more in books written by men?). However I think the book has a point to make in putting Darwin's "discovery" firmly in the context of the findings of others which were already available at the time, and maybe bring him down a peg or two from his place of universal acclaim.

I'll send you your next book tomorrow or monday. Have you peeked yet at the relevant thread??

Hello there!

On recieving the very large envelope, my heart sank. Then quickly I thought of the days when I could devote hours to my books and read them cover to cover. My days before motherhood!

Again, not a regular choice of mine. Or probably one that would have caught my eye. I spent a long car journey being anti social and really enjoying the book.

Since then my dad has been admitted to hospital and my feet have not touched the ground. Sadly I mailed the book on without finishing. However, I took the details and when I get the chance will pick it up from the library. I will post a proper response then! ....... watch this space!

Well- I was a little perturbed by the size of this book, but had previously heard good things.
I was not disappointed- I think I was hooked from the first paragraph!
This was just so interesting, and probably the most highbrow book I've read in a long time.
There is so much factual information in it, but it is all interesting and thought provoking- in other hands it could have been dull, but it really isn't.
I was more than a little sad for FitzRoy and his fate.
Even more sad is that the author died so young, and after just one novel.

I quite enjoyed this book but when I got it in the post, I thought I wouldnt like it. DD was doing rehersals for a dance show and I took it with me and read loads of it there! It was a bit too long for me, so I didnt finish it all but again noted the title and author to try and get it from the library.

Anyone seen the film "Master & Commander" with Russell Crowe? I saw this the other night and really enjoyed it. I thought it had some very similar themes to this book - naturalism, relationship between captain & doctor, emotional effects on men of being at sea for long periods.

Think it was based on a Patrick O'Brien novel - anyone read it?

Phew!!

I've finally finished this book! Thoroughly enjoyed it and second what others have said. What an amazing man Fitzroy was. An amazing author too - actually travelling to all those places.

It was interesting to read about the fate of the Beagle as it's resting place isn't far from me. As it is Darwin's 200th anniversary next year I am trying to find out if there are any plans in the pipeline for it to be recovered. I feel like I know the boat so intimately now so would love to go along and see it rise from the mud!

Not something I would have picked myself so thanks cyanarasamba!

I did try with this one, but didn't finish it. I struggled to about 1/2 way through, then gave up and read the end

half way through now and really enjoying it - will get to the end!