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The Darwin Conspiracy

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As an award-winning reporter/journalist and bestselling novelist, John Darnton should be more than aware of this little axiom:

When penning a novel, make sure it is interesting to the reader.

Alas, there is little interesting in Darnton's latest effort. THE DARWIN CONSPIRACY is as bland as an empty ice cream cone; Darnton's historical narrative reminded me of the sports cliche "going through the motions." Nowhere--not at any time--did a character or plot jump out to grab me, or even pique my interest. As the book moved along the pages became heavier and heavier to turn.

Told from three points of view, this book has loads of potential. Two modern day historians are about to uncover a "shocking" revelation about Charles Darwin himself. . .a discovery that won't put the founder of evolution in a very favorable historical light. We also read about Darwin's voyage upon the "Beagle" in the 1830s, as young Charles must deal with a wacky ship captain and an intense scientific competitor. And finally, we are privy to the journals and letters of Darwin's daughter Lizzie; all three plots are intertwined, and it would be great if it worked, but it doesn't.

The modern day story is boring, its characters totally one-dimensional. Lizzie's contribution requires a suspension of disbelief from Pluto itself; historically depicted as "slow," this spinster daughter of Darwin's is presented here as a woman of uncanny intelligence--yet not intelligent enough to make good decisions while in the throes of passion. And Darwin's "Beagle" adventures. . .let's just say that the climatic scene--revealed in a ten-page letter from a teenage missionary (who writes like a forty-year-old, by the by) who was with Darwin and witnessed this amazing event on desolate Tierra del Fuego--is an absolute howler. I realize this is historical "fiction," but Darnton's zinger regarding who REALLY spawned the theory of natural selection is nothing more than sophomoric slurpiness.

THE DARWIN CONSPIRACY was extremely disappointing. Having read it, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So I did both. And I still don't feel any better.
--D. Mikels, Author, WALK-ON

"The Darwin Conspiracy" by John Darnton, N.Y., Alfred A. Knopf, 2005 ISBN 1-4000-4137-6, HC 303 pg. plus 6 pg, Afterward, Ackn., Biblio. & Note. 9 1/2" x 6 1/2". 4th novel by acclaimed writer.

This elegant novel traces the life of Charles Darwin from childhood to his adventures on the "Beagle", his aging years, & spinning an entrancing story of mystery surrounding his voyage companions, his family & an attempt to define the time-line delays of two decades before publication of "The Origin of Species".

The story is told most cleverly in three voices: the passionate idyllic scholars Hugh Kellem & Beth Dulcimer: his daughter Lizzie (a.k.a. "Bessie" & Elizabeth), & Charles Darwin himself. Hugh & Beth have a titillating romance while researching for lost or archived correspondence on Darwin; Lissie secretly journals Papa Darwin's activities whilst Charles chronicles an early education, role as Beagle's Naturalist & his relationship with the crew, islanders, academic associates & family.

The read is extremely good -- suffice to say each of the 3 voices have their own affairs, trysts & difficulties but in the end there is a very satisfactory resolution of these unsettled goings on. Undoubtedly, some will be wont to obtain "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti to read "come buy our orchard fruits, come buy, come buy..." as overheard by Laura & Lizzie -- but that's another story.

Field anthropologist Hugh Kellem tries to solve several mysteries related to Darwin. Near Ecuador, the British researcher meets scientist Beth Dulcimer, who also seeks to understand why the famous naturalist took over twenty years to release the Origin of the Species and what happened to him that changed him from a confident scientist into a near anxious recluse.

Twentyish Darwin spends five years on the Beagle taking copious notes of what he observes on his journey and becomes increasingly confident in his abilities to do his job while a rival tries to usurp his findings. His notes serve as the basis of his classic Origin of Species by Natural Selection released in 1858. In the 1870s Darwin's youngest daughter Lizzie keeps a journal that show her growing concern about her father who seemingly over night changed from a vigorous person into a frightened shadow of himself. Hugh and Beth find Lizzie's diaries.

This interesting tale uses three points of view to tell a fictionalized account (based on known facts) of Darwin. The story opens with Hugh and Beth teaming up as both fixates over learning the mysteries of Darwin and on each other (that common obsession helps). The second (and by far the most interesting and intelligently designed) subplot follows Darwin's adventures from drinking with the Captain before leaving, to seasickness, to self-assured individual and finally struggling with a competitor. The final segue focuses on Lizzie's diary. Though well written, the present subplot seems unnecessary as it turns the life of Darwin into more of an academic mystery that includes a final shocking twist. While readers will enjoy sailing with Darwin and somewhat Lizzie's follow up in his later life, the present pales in comparison.

Harriet Klausner

_The Darwin Conspiracy_, John Darnton

What was Darwin so deathly afraid of? What caused his intense psychosomatic illnesses, fear of travel and visitors? Why delay publication for 20+ years? What *really* happened onboard the Beagle? These questions form the premise of Darnton's "alternate history", joining recent novels attempting to infuse modern science with some excitement and mystery. The last one in a similar vein I can recall was _The Kokopelli Theory_, Kevin Correa, which concerned research into the origins of the Hepatitis C virus.

What made this one so interesting for me (I finished it one sitting; it mostly consists of conversation and short sentences) was the very large proportion of facts about Darwin, his family, Captain Fitzroy and his other companions (including Jemmy Button), and a good dollop of insight into the furor between 19th cent. religion and evolution, all well-integrated into the story. We travel with the young Darwin on his voyage, we get insights into the daily life of the Darwin family, even a tour of Down House is included. Impressive!

Now, the resolution of these "mysteries" in the closing pages is a little eye-rolling, but hay! the journey there, with it's 19th century characters brought to life, and 21st century Darwin research tidbits thrown in, is very pleasant. If you tweeze out the fictional bits added by the author, the bringing to life of Darwin and his milieu will make this a novel any Darwin fan will enjoy. Recommended.

I'm finding Darnton a hit-or-miss author. Neanderthal was an interesting premise, but trite characters. Really enjoyed The Experiment. The Darwin Conspiracy had a lot of promise, but turned out to be a very complicated presentation of a very simple and uninteresting mystery. Boring.

John Darton does a clever job of interweaving true details of Darwin's life with fiction. For the most part, Darton smoothly plays between truth and fiction. Since I had just recently read Darwin's autobiography, I was able to identify some of the comments and anecdotes that Darwin had actually written himself. While these anecdotes worked well within the plot, they often jumped out at me because the wording used by Darton was very similar to that used by Darwin himself. For instance, while recounting the story of Darwin collecting three beetles, Darton actually uses the same adjective "acrid" used by Darwin. Nevertheless, through its plot and premise, The Darwin Conspiracy does a good job reminding the reader to not always trust what is down in writing.

The strength of this novel is how the three separate story lines evolve in parallel and finally come together at the end. As Hugh, the main character, proceeds through his different searches, the other stories simultaneously unfold and add new hints to his investigations. The organizational style that Darton uses worked well to incorporate history into fiction. That being said, the most engaging story line was the modern day story with Hugh. Perhaps Darton felt constrained to fit within a historical context. Whatever the reason may have been, Hugh's story hooks the reader in the most.

All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an entertaining read and wants to have that added twist of established facts intermingling with fiction. You will also gain appreciation of Charles Darwin's life and pick up new facts about the scientist. But before you start quoting Darton about Darwin, double check to make sure that your fact really is a fact.

Warning: Spoiler follows!

On page 127 of the hardcover edition of this peculiar novel, the author sets a scene on the good ship Beagle wherein ship's surgeon McCormick describes Charles Darwin's connection with "the Wedgwoods, to whom he is related both directly and through his wife." Considering the fact that Darwin's travels on the Beagle lasted from 1831 to 1836, and that Darwin and Emma Wedgwood were not married until 29 January 1839, three years AFTER the voyage, one senses the intensity of the author's desire to discredit the giant efforts of Darwin and his contemporaries, history be damned.

The reasoning behind this desire? I've no idea. Suffice it to say that the author strives, and strives mightily, by invention of "source material" to suggest that Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and all the other great naturalists of their day were trumped in their labors by, well, by the primordial "hippies" of their era.

The novel's author is plainly a newspaper reporter. I can imagine his headlines:
Magic Drug-Smoking Indians Scoop Western Science!
Prove Male Europeans to be Poltroons!
Write US Constitution!
Invent Space Flight!

Fortunately, I borrowed the book from the library. Didn't pay a cent! The read was worth the price.

I was lured to Darnton's novel by a hero worship of Charles Darwin and a compelling need for a real 'page turner'. Unfortunately, I found myself turning pages at the speed of evolution! The magic of historical fiction for me is being transported with exhilaration through a series of improbable events encased in a familiar time capsule and emerging from the worm hole without questioning how you got there. Darnton's story line is punctuated with improbabilities that halt your journey like a pot hole the size of a VW and make you question why you decided to take the trip. Often, the prize at the end of such a tortuous adventure can make you forget the bumpy ride but, not so with The Darwin Conspiracy....I can't believe I read the whole thing!

Evolution can be characterized by statistically random events that survive the exigencies of whatever their environment can throw at them. Darnton's string of improbable events cannot make the cut.

The Darwin Conspiracy by John Darnton

I can't recall the last time I disliked a book so much. This report has several spoilers, so if you plan to read the book, (and I hope you don't) stop right here.

History records that the HMS Beagle's ship surgeon was responsible for collecting scientific specimens as the Beagle sailed on her charting journey. His name was Robert McCormick and Mr. Darnton draws an intense rivalry between the surgeon and young Darwin in his fictional account of the journey. But history says that McCormick left the ship in Rio de Janeiro , well before Darwin collected his specimens and notes on the Galapagos Islands.

But Mr. Darnton changes things so that McCormick is not only with Darwin on the Galapagos Islands, but it was he who first realized the truth about natural selection before Darwin. Of course, this does not sit well with the ambitious young Darwin, so in a highly improbable moment inside an erupting volcano, Darwin fails to rescue McCormick after McCormick helps Darwin escape. This is highly convenient so that Darwin alone can announce the news to the world. (There is also a plot-line that unfolds a bit later where we learn that Dawin and McCormick spoke with a tribal chieftain on Tierra del Fuego who tells them of "survival of the fittest." So according to Darnton, neither Darwin or McCormick came to the realization themselves)

History also relates how a biologist named Alfred Russel Wallace also had come up with a theory of natural selection at the same time as Darwin and when Darwin found out, he graciously arranged for Wallace to make the announcement co-jointly. Darnton's treatment of Wallace's scientific abilities is even worse than his treatment of Darwin's.

One of the joys of historical novels is seeing how the authors dovetail history into their stories, but usually the authors treat the historical figures fairly. Yes, I know there are a lot of cases where the truth is buried to further the plot - Shakespeare's "Richard III" comes to mind, but this book really mistreats a genuine hero.

There is also a sub-plot involving two uninteresting modern day scholars and a somewhat more interesting sub-plot involving Darwin's daughter, Lizzie. Neither of these add much to the book.

Mr. Darnton did a lot of research and it shows. If only he had come up with a worthwhile plotline, then this book might have been worth reading.

Books that I like and plan to reread line fill my bookshelves. Books that I have bought and enjoyed, but don't plan to reread again I pass on to my friends. This book will end up in the trash. Consider it another case of "Survival of the Fittest."

After about 75 pages, I felt compelled to fling the book across the room and curse the author for abusing an hour of my life. I couldn't figure out what the purpose was of some of the storyline and the flow of the book wasn't as smooth as I felt it should be. If had been someone other than Darton who wrote the book, I would have stopped. But since I've really enjoyed his other works, I trudged on. While I can't say the book ever got great, it definitely got a lot better and by the end, I was happy that I finished it. Maybe it was my appreciation of Darwin and his own works that kept me in the game, or maybe Darnton really did assemble a compelling story... you'll have to be the judge. If you aren't thrilled by my indifference, then go pick up a Douglas Adams book and blow your mind.