Mr. Darwin's Shooter [Paperback]

Roger McDonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2000

In this richly detailed novel based on the life of Syms Covington, Charles Darwin's hard-working shipboard assistant and later his house-servant, Roger McDonald shines a light on a man forgotten by history, capturing the breathtaking excitement of the historic voyage of the Beagle and brilliantly illuminating the scientific, religious, and social controversies that exploded around Darwin's watershed theories.

As "Darwin's shooter," Covington collected and preserved invaluable specimens; as the scientist's clerk in London, was he the first man to grasp the full import of their research--the seeds of Darwin's theory of natural selection? Twenty years later, Covington awaits his copy of The Origin of Species with mixed emotions. Embittered by Darwin's failure to acknowledge him, he is also profoundly troubled by his own role in the discoveries that subverted sacred doctrines and shook the Victorian worldview to its very foundation.

"An enthralling read, the kind of book that sweeps you into its world and absorbs you entirely."-- Andrew O'Hehir, The Washington Post Book World

"Cleverly imagined. . . . A high-spirited, adventuresome, idiosyncratic ramble through the history of science."-- Richard Bernstein, The New York Times

"[A] near perfect new novel . . . a work of distinction." -- Norah Vincent, The Boston Globe
Winner of Australia's Christina Stead Prize for Fiction
Mr. Darwin's Shooter appeared on the Independent bestseller list

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Mr. Darwin's Shooter, Roger McDonald explores the evolution not just of flora and fauna but of friendship and belief. At 12 young Syms Covington escapes his father's slaughterhouse and England for life at sea. Already six feet tall and bursting with innocence, ambition, and faith, he dreams of glory. But three years later, in 1831, Covington is still only an odd-job boy and ship's fiddler on a barque named after a "beagle-hound." This boat, though, will prove his career salvation, for its cosseted passenger is Charles Darwin. The young naturalist soon marks the sailor out as an adequate aide, a "willing accomplice" to what the grown Covington will later consider "a great murder." By murder he means less the massive plundering of birds and beasts ("stopping the hearts of small life") than the undermining of Biblical truth. If species do in fact evolve, Covington wonders, what proof can there be of God's handiwork?

Syms Covington really was Darwin's shooter from 1832 to 1839, and even after he emigrated to Australia, the men continued their tense relationship--until, that is, a copy of The Origin of Species arrived. Though the boy was never the naturalist's "beau ideal" of a collector, still, Roger McDonald writes,

It was a marriage of convenience they had, and Darwin was like the fiancée who gives her consent to the match for reasons of suitability but through lack of love rues the intimacy--yet all the time lauding the practicality.

If this talented author occasionally lays on the archaisms too heavily, in Mr. Darwin's Shooter he has nonetheless fashioned a sensuous, provocative adventure. --Molly Winterbotham --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Charles Darwin dramatically changed the course of human history, but the drama of his life story pales next to this vividly imagined rendering of big-hearted Syms Covington, the colorful sailor, hunter, taxidermist and manservant who spent seven years at Darwin's side collecting the specimens on which the theory of evolution was based. Covington takes to the sea as a 12-year-old in 1828, leaving his home in Bedford, England, under the wing of Christian evangelist John Phipps, who assembles a group of devout boys to sign aboard the survey ship South Sea Castle, bound for South America. Several years later, now an experienced sailor aboard HMS Beagle, ambitious Covington wangles his way into the service of Darwin. Much later, a grizzled, nearly deaf, middle-aged Covington has settled and raised a family in rural Australia, where he awaits the publication of On the Origin of Species, troubled by his role in perhaps subverting the faith that has served him so well through all his adventures. McDonald (1915; Slipstream; Shearer's Motel) fashions a captivating seafarer's tale rich in period detail and insight into relations among men. While the real, historical Covington may have been lost in the margins, McDonald's vigorous incarnation will be difficult to forget.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (January 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140288597
• ISBN-13: 978-0140288599
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,876,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Facing the truth . . ., January 21, 2001

By 

Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr. Darwin's Shooter (Hardcover)

"I would rather be the offspring of two apes than be a man and afraid to face the truth"?

Thomas Henry Huxley's challenge to "Soapy Sam" Wilberforce confronted established religion with Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Although sold out on the first day of publication, it's safe to say that few readers, even highly educated ones, comprehended On the Origin of Species. What of those lacking liberal education or otherwise at least well imbued with a tradition of faith? Huxley's barb brought about instant clarity. Science was uncovering secrets hitherto trapped in the earth. One could either accept the information revealed by diligent labour in field and laboratory, or withdraw into the comfortable mythology of faith. Put so simply the options sound an easy choice, but in that era [indeed, in this one as well!] abandoning faith had no match in bringing about an emotional wrench.

One man, vitally involved in the work leading to the clash at Oxford, was not at the debate. He was far away in Pambula, New South Wales, running cattle. Roger McDonald has chosen this most central of all possible people as a focal point in the debate between science and Christianity. Syms Covington, the Beagle's sailor chosen to become Mr Darwin's Shooter, collected many of the specimens of birds and animals Darwin examined in developing his theory. McDonald depicts him as a Congregationalist Christian, a sect viewed suspiciously in Victorian England, but one which encouraged education and learning. This dichotomy allows McDonald to show Covington growing increasingly mindful of the importance of what he and Darwin are bringing into view. Covington knows The Book Darwin is writing will bring it all together. Yet, even in Australia he continues to gather specimens for his 'gentleman' in England. He's not fearful of learning, but his growing knowledge of life's variations and history brings intensified fear and resentment. His fright sometimes results in violence born of frustration.

McDonald has an exceptional, if subtle, talent for depicting a man's qualities. His books don't pander to the dictates of 'political correctness'. As a historical figure, McDonald's Covington is a vivid example of a man's emotional and intellectual clashes of hopes, ambitions, fears, judgements revealed in a clear, unexaggerated manner. McDonald doesn't make Covington a "hero". He knows how few heroes there are and these rarely valid under close scrutiny. McDonald's revelation of male feelings may be unpalatable to some. Still, every bit as much as Darwin did, McDonald unveils a truth. His books, in particular Mr Darwin's Shooter, should be read by anyone wishing to understand that truth. This book is highly recommended for a variety of reasons, not least being the sheer ingenious idea of writing it at all.

As a side note, anyone interested can read Covington's journal as an electronic book in the Mitchell Library in New South Wales. However, Amazon policy forbids my listing the URL, but any search engine will bring it up.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific read by an author who dares to reach!, July 12, 1999

By 

Mary Whipple (New England) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mr. Darwin's Shooter (Hardcover)

It is such a pleasure to find a book which grapples with some of the Big Ideas of history. Surely the theory of evolution and the publication of Origin of the Species are among the most life-changing developments in intellectual history in the past two hundred years. McDonald does justice to these, attempting to present momentous ideas with the seriousness they deserve while at the same time creating compassion for the people whose immediate lives and religious beliefs are seriously challenged, if not threatened. Though some may feel that the use of 19th century language and vocabulary are pretentious, I found them completely appropriate to the subject, creating a realistic setting for the ideas and themes. Since fiction by definition involves pretense, the use of "dated" language is not necessarily a failing. This is a challenging, fascinating work, which is, at the same time, great fun to read.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars recognizing a major contributor to Darwin's theory, March 3, 2000

By 

"jjduda" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Darwin's Shooter (Paperback)

This book represented to me, above everything else, the story of a man that we've never heard of before, who played a major role in helping Charles Darwin formulate his theory of Evolution by Natrual Selection. This book is about Syms Covington, field assistant to Darwin during and shortly after the voyage of the beagle. His realization of the theory's implications is an epiphany that McDonald scripts brilliantly, as Covington is torn between pride in his role, anger for lack of recognition, and fear because of the conflict with his faith. This thread looms again and again, building suspense as we wait with Covington for "The Origin" to be published-or, really, unleashed upon the world. It is this emotional conflict that is a key element of this book. On the down side, it gets off to a slow start and, unfortunately in my mind, there isn't enough interaction between Covington and Darwin...the day-to-day stuff of tromping in paradise collecting ad infinitum, prepairing specimens, measuring, etc. However, that may have been intended or necessary because of their backgrounds: darwin was from the aristocracy and covington was a commoner. That comes across in the book, but I think that it could have been explored much more.

I have both a personal and professional interest in natural history and view Darwin as one of my scientific heros. I've just added little known syms covington to that list...as written, he was truly an engaging character and with remarkable depth.