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To the Edge of the World
Harry Thompson's Books 1, 2 and 3 combined. An e-Book "bundle"
“Perhaps the best historical novel I have read…A stunning achievement of imagination and story-telling. In this novel Harry Thompson shows how the modern world was born, not in a laboratory, but on a storm-beset ship and out of a welter of ignorance, heroism and tragedy. A masterpiece.” - Bernard Cornwell, author of The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, and the Richard Sharpe series
“Thompson’s masterful storytelling brings all the shades of darkness and uncertainty of fate together with the flame of enlightenment and exploration. Recommended.” – Library Journal
“This is a fine, interesting and educational book, which I strongly recommend. It is nearly 800 pages long, but it maintains interest throughout the entire length.” – The Roanoke Times
“Perhaps the best historical novel I have read…A stunning achievement of imagination and story-telling. In this novel Harry Thompson shows how the modern world was born, not in a laboratory, but on a storm-beset ship and out of a welter of ignorance, heroism and tragedy. A masterpiece.” - Bernard Cornwell, author of The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, and the Richard Sharpe series
“Thompson’s masterful storytelling brings all the shades of darkness and uncertainty of fate together with the flame of enlightenment and exploration. Recommended.” – Library Journal
“This is a fine, interesting and educational book, which I strongly recommend. It is nearly 800 pages long, but it maintains interest throughout the entire length.” – The Roanoke Times
789 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2005
304 people are currently reading
4857 people want to read
About the author
Harry Thompson
57 books36 followersHarry William Thompson was an English radio and television producer, comedy writer, novelist and biographer. Early in his career Thompson produced the radio comedy programmes The News Quiz and The Mary Whitehouse Experience. Following his move into television, he produced Newman and Baddiel in Pieces, Harry Enfield and Chums and Monkey Dust, and co-produced Never Mind The Buzzcocks. In 1998 he was part of BBC Radio 4's 5-part political satire programme Cartoons, Lampoons, and Buffoons. During these productions he was able to gain exposure for a very large proportion of those who went on to become prominent figures in contemporary British comedy, including: Sacha Baron Cohen, Angus Deayton, Harry Enfield, Ricky Gervais, Nick Hancock, Ian Hislop, Mark Lamarr, Paul Merton and Paul Whitehouse. He was instrumental in the creation of the comic character Ali G for The 11 O'Clock Show, and as a comedy writer his credits included Da Ali G Show.
Thompson wrote biographies of Peter Cook, Richard Ingrams and Tintin creator Hergé. In June 2005, Thompson's only novel, entitled This Thing Of Darkness (a historical novel chronicling the life of Robert Fitzroy - later published in the United States as To The Edge Of The World), was published and long-listed for the Booker prize. He also wrote Penguins Stopped Play, an account of the attempt by his beloved cricket team, The Captain Scott Invitation XI, to tour all seven continents of the world.
Thompson wrote biographies of Peter Cook, Richard Ingrams and Tintin creator Hergé. In June 2005, Thompson's only novel, entitled This Thing Of Darkness (a historical novel chronicling the life of Robert Fitzroy - later published in the United States as To The Edge Of The World), was published and long-listed for the Booker prize. He also wrote Penguins Stopped Play, an account of the attempt by his beloved cricket team, The Captain Scott Invitation XI, to tour all seven continents of the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 418 reviews
August 17, 2022
A wonderful, fascinating and sadly underrated novel. One of the finest books I've read in the past five years.
November 11, 2020
This book has been on my to-read list for a few years, because it is quite highly placed in the Mookse group's rankings of Booker longlisted and shortlisted books, and Thompson's name was familiar to me from his television work, and his cricket book Penguins Stopped Play. This was his only novel before his tragically early death, and deserves all of the plaudits it attracted.
The main part of the book is a retelling of the famous voyage of the Beagle, and Darwin obviously plays an important role, but the central character of this book is the ship's captain Robert FitzRoy, and for all of the gung ho Boy's Own adventure tropes of the Beagle story, FitzRoy's later ventures were often frustrated by his inability to compromise and the enemies this created - his most lasting civilian achievement was his founding of the Met. Office, but even this fell foul of vested interests (fishing fleet owners only saw the loss of productivity rather than the lives saved by storm warnings), and when the first incarnation of the office was abolished, FitzRoy committed suicide faced with impending bankruptcy.
A fascinating subplot was FitzRoy's involvement with the natives of Tierra del Fuego. On the Beagle's first voyage, four Fuegians were taken hostage and FitzRoy decided to take them back to England to give them a Christian education. One of them died in England, but the rest gained a certain celebrity and met the king. The three survivors were returned to Tierra del Fuego on the Beagle's second voyage (the Darwin one) with a naive young missionary whose plan to found a mission there was soon thwarted by the natives.
FitzRoy's relationship with Darwin was a complex one - they came from opposite political parties, and held very different views on religion, but their arguments were valued by both, at least until they returned to England. The portrait of Darwin is often unflattering, which makes it more credible.
Another side story is provided by FitzRoy's brief spell as Governor of New Zealand and his abortive attempts to find a fair compromise between the New Zealand company's plans for settlement and the rights of the local Maoris.
Thompson's command of detail is impressive, and his book is often very entertaining - there must be a little hyperbole in some of the stories, but the facts are extraordinary enough for this to be a minor quibble. It is a long book, but it was never a chore to read.
The main part of the book is a retelling of the famous voyage of the Beagle, and Darwin obviously plays an important role, but the central character of this book is the ship's captain Robert FitzRoy, and for all of the gung ho Boy's Own adventure tropes of the Beagle story, FitzRoy's later ventures were often frustrated by his inability to compromise and the enemies this created - his most lasting civilian achievement was his founding of the Met. Office, but even this fell foul of vested interests (fishing fleet owners only saw the loss of productivity rather than the lives saved by storm warnings), and when the first incarnation of the office was abolished, FitzRoy committed suicide faced with impending bankruptcy.
A fascinating subplot was FitzRoy's involvement with the natives of Tierra del Fuego. On the Beagle's first voyage, four Fuegians were taken hostage and FitzRoy decided to take them back to England to give them a Christian education. One of them died in England, but the rest gained a certain celebrity and met the king. The three survivors were returned to Tierra del Fuego on the Beagle's second voyage (the Darwin one) with a naive young missionary whose plan to found a mission there was soon thwarted by the natives.
FitzRoy's relationship with Darwin was a complex one - they came from opposite political parties, and held very different views on religion, but their arguments were valued by both, at least until they returned to England. The portrait of Darwin is often unflattering, which makes it more credible.
Another side story is provided by FitzRoy's brief spell as Governor of New Zealand and his abortive attempts to find a fair compromise between the New Zealand company's plans for settlement and the rights of the local Maoris.
Thompson's command of detail is impressive, and his book is often very entertaining - there must be a little hyperbole in some of the stories, but the facts are extraordinary enough for this to be a minor quibble. It is a long book, but it was never a chore to read.
January 20, 2009
not a spoiler; a synopsis:
I don't care what Anyone says about this book -- it was phenomenal. I read someone's take on the book, noting (negatively) that Charles Darwin doesn't put in an appearance until late in the book, but that's because this book is NOT about Charles Darwin, but rather about Robert FitzRoy, the commander of the HMS Beagle, who took on Charles Darwin as a naturalist and companion. Obviously, it has to deal with Darwin, but the true story is that of FitzRoy's.
The book begins with a somewhat depressing event, but one which literally laid the foundation for what was to come: the suicide of one Captain Stokes, who commanded the HMS Beagle, after being marooned at the literal ends of the earth in the desolation of Patagonia. Had it not been for that event, the HMS Beagle may have been consigned to the list of past British Naval ships, and Darwin's Origin of Species may never have been written. But because of Stokes' suicide, Robert FitzRoy, a 23 year old British naval officer, was assigned to command the Beagle, and the rest, they say, is history.
This Thing of Darkness is not only a look at the events that transpired aboard the Beagle, pre- and post-Darwin, but at the evils of imperialism, religion, and racism all encapsulated into the time period between 1828 and 1865. It also examines the career of FitzRoy, whose main mission on the Beagle was to survey the lower areas of the South American Coast, as well as his inner self. We learn a lot about FitzRoy even before the author brings in Charles Darwin, and then of course, the book focuses on the friendship between the two. At first, the two were boon companions; Darwin, as most people know, was studying to become a cleric at the time set off on the Beagle, and his outlook corresponded well with that of Fitzroy's regarding God's creation, the biblical flood, etc. However, as Darwin explored throughout South America, the evidence of the truth behind geological processes, fossil remains, variation and separation of species etc. began to make its way into creating Darwin's theories, it caused a major rift between FitzRoy and Darwin, one that would continue throughout both of their lives, as Darwin's reality conflicted with that of FitzRoy.
Yet, as I noted, this book is not based solely on Charles Darwin, but takes more of a look at Fitzroy and how he was caught up both personally and professionally by policies & politics over which he had no control. At one point after having to perform a personally dishonorable task for the British government in Tahiti, FitzRoy remarks,
"I was brought up to obey orders...To do my duty. But increasingly I am being given orders that do not tally with natural justice -- with God's justice. Orders that I cannot in all conscience accord with. These people should be helped to found a decent, God-fearing society -- not plundered, as if the Royal Navy were little better than pirates." (414)
When he has the opportunities to make changes, they are unwelcome and lead to a slide in his career that would never be rectified.
I cannot do this book justice in only a few words, but I VERY HIGHLY recommend this novel. Every one of its 610 pages is riveting and I could not put this book down and did so only grudgingly. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the topic of the effects of British Imperialism, exploration, Darwin and his theories, and British History. It is superb and considering some of the books that made the Booker shortlist, I think the author was robbed.
I don't care what Anyone says about this book -- it was phenomenal. I read someone's take on the book, noting (negatively) that Charles Darwin doesn't put in an appearance until late in the book, but that's because this book is NOT about Charles Darwin, but rather about Robert FitzRoy, the commander of the HMS Beagle, who took on Charles Darwin as a naturalist and companion. Obviously, it has to deal with Darwin, but the true story is that of FitzRoy's.
The book begins with a somewhat depressing event, but one which literally laid the foundation for what was to come: the suicide of one Captain Stokes, who commanded the HMS Beagle, after being marooned at the literal ends of the earth in the desolation of Patagonia. Had it not been for that event, the HMS Beagle may have been consigned to the list of past British Naval ships, and Darwin's Origin of Species may never have been written. But because of Stokes' suicide, Robert FitzRoy, a 23 year old British naval officer, was assigned to command the Beagle, and the rest, they say, is history.
This Thing of Darkness is not only a look at the events that transpired aboard the Beagle, pre- and post-Darwin, but at the evils of imperialism, religion, and racism all encapsulated into the time period between 1828 and 1865. It also examines the career of FitzRoy, whose main mission on the Beagle was to survey the lower areas of the South American Coast, as well as his inner self. We learn a lot about FitzRoy even before the author brings in Charles Darwin, and then of course, the book focuses on the friendship between the two. At first, the two were boon companions; Darwin, as most people know, was studying to become a cleric at the time set off on the Beagle, and his outlook corresponded well with that of Fitzroy's regarding God's creation, the biblical flood, etc. However, as Darwin explored throughout South America, the evidence of the truth behind geological processes, fossil remains, variation and separation of species etc. began to make its way into creating Darwin's theories, it caused a major rift between FitzRoy and Darwin, one that would continue throughout both of their lives, as Darwin's reality conflicted with that of FitzRoy.
Yet, as I noted, this book is not based solely on Charles Darwin, but takes more of a look at Fitzroy and how he was caught up both personally and professionally by policies & politics over which he had no control. At one point after having to perform a personally dishonorable task for the British government in Tahiti, FitzRoy remarks,
"I was brought up to obey orders...To do my duty. But increasingly I am being given orders that do not tally with natural justice -- with God's justice. Orders that I cannot in all conscience accord with. These people should be helped to found a decent, God-fearing society -- not plundered, as if the Royal Navy were little better than pirates." (414)
When he has the opportunities to make changes, they are unwelcome and lead to a slide in his career that would never be rectified.
I cannot do this book justice in only a few words, but I VERY HIGHLY recommend this novel. Every one of its 610 pages is riveting and I could not put this book down and did so only grudgingly. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the topic of the effects of British Imperialism, exploration, Darwin and his theories, and British History. It is superb and considering some of the books that made the Booker shortlist, I think the author was robbed.
May 16, 2008
Just finished this book and was so moved I went straight to Wiki to find out about all the characters. When I first took up the book I thought, oh dear, first novel and a biggie at that, hope he doesn't ramble. However, every page was necessary to weave this extraordinary story. The prose was just beautiful (reminded me of Star of the Sea).
Such a tragedy that Thompson died the year of its publication at the early age of 45. His first and only novel - I would have looked forward to reading much more.
Such a tragedy that Thompson died the year of its publication at the early age of 45. His first and only novel - I would have looked forward to reading much more.
December 2, 2023
Hacia los confines del mundo
Novela de recreación histórica sobre la vida de Robert FitzRoy, uno de los protagonistas de un viaje clave en la teoría de la evolución de la vida.
FitzRoy fue nombrado teniente de navío a los 23 años y puesto en el mando del Beagle con la misión de cartografiar la costa sudamericana, en especial el entramado de islas que hay en el cabo de hornos.
Muchas de las islas, pasos y bahías de la zona llevan nombres de los componentes de esta expedición. En especial el canal del Beagle que es donde se encuentra actualmente la ciudad de Ushuaia.
FitzRoy era profundamente cristiano y pensaba que todos los hombres eran iguales. Al tomar contacto con los Fueguinos, una serie de pueblos indígenas originarios de la zona de Tierra de Fuego no permitió que se les tratase como salvajes. La relación con estos indígenas le acompañó toda su vida. En su faceta de marino fue un adelantado en las previsiones meteorológicas.
En la segunda misión del Beagle tendrá a bordo un jovencísimo Charles Darwin que, por supuesto, dará otra dimensión al viaje.
Los descubrimientos de Darwin chocarán con las convicciones religiosas de FitzRoy. El recorrido por Sudamérica y pacífico dará las suficientes pruebas a Darwin sobre su teoría de la evolución muy lejos de las creencias religiosas de FitzRoy.
Las conversaciones entre ambos son continuas. Aunque la mayoría de las veces acaban a gritos intentando imponer cada uno su razón al otro, siempre serán amigos que necesitan alguien con el que hablar para mantener su posición.
El libro es también una crítica al colonialismo británico en el que FitzRoy era una persona que destacaba por su defensa de los derechos de los indígenas, lo cual chocaba con la política de su país y le originó problemas que soportó con estoicismo y sufrimiento al verse incomprendido.
Dos personajes adelantados a su época, cada uno a su manera.
La novela está basada en hechos reales. Hay alguna cosa que sorprende, pero son ciertas y hay documentación sobre ellas, el resto, pocas, son licencias del novelista para hacer más amena la lectura.
Nos encontramos con gran cantidad de acción, situaciones de peligro en las que se vio el Beagle en el mar, las interacciones con los indígenas de tierra de fuego y otros sitios. Las aventuras de Darwin buscando sus pruebas, comparando animales, recogiendo fósiles, etc. Y por supuesto las discusiones con FitzRoy.
Novela de recreación histórica sobre la vida de Robert FitzRoy, uno de los protagonistas de un viaje clave en la teoría de la evolución de la vida.
FitzRoy fue nombrado teniente de navío a los 23 años y puesto en el mando del Beagle con la misión de cartografiar la costa sudamericana, en especial el entramado de islas que hay en el cabo de hornos.
Muchas de las islas, pasos y bahías de la zona llevan nombres de los componentes de esta expedición. En especial el canal del Beagle que es donde se encuentra actualmente la ciudad de Ushuaia.
FitzRoy era profundamente cristiano y pensaba que todos los hombres eran iguales. Al tomar contacto con los Fueguinos, una serie de pueblos indígenas originarios de la zona de Tierra de Fuego no permitió que se les tratase como salvajes. La relación con estos indígenas le acompañó toda su vida. En su faceta de marino fue un adelantado en las previsiones meteorológicas.
En la segunda misión del Beagle tendrá a bordo un jovencísimo Charles Darwin que, por supuesto, dará otra dimensión al viaje.
Los descubrimientos de Darwin chocarán con las convicciones religiosas de FitzRoy. El recorrido por Sudamérica y pacífico dará las suficientes pruebas a Darwin sobre su teoría de la evolución muy lejos de las creencias religiosas de FitzRoy.
Las conversaciones entre ambos son continuas. Aunque la mayoría de las veces acaban a gritos intentando imponer cada uno su razón al otro, siempre serán amigos que necesitan alguien con el que hablar para mantener su posición.
El libro es también una crítica al colonialismo británico en el que FitzRoy era una persona que destacaba por su defensa de los derechos de los indígenas, lo cual chocaba con la política de su país y le originó problemas que soportó con estoicismo y sufrimiento al verse incomprendido.
Dos personajes adelantados a su época, cada uno a su manera.
La novela está basada en hechos reales. Hay alguna cosa que sorprende, pero son ciertas y hay documentación sobre ellas, el resto, pocas, son licencias del novelista para hacer más amena la lectura.
Nos encontramos con gran cantidad de acción, situaciones de peligro en las que se vio el Beagle en el mar, las interacciones con los indígenas de tierra de fuego y otros sitios. Las aventuras de Darwin buscando sus pruebas, comparando animales, recogiendo fósiles, etc. Y por supuesto las discusiones con FitzRoy.
October 3, 2024
This historical fiction book is an excellent combination of adventure, philosophy, science and friendship. The friendship is strained but life-influencing for both men. They were Commander Robert Fitzroy of the HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin. They met in their 20's and together sailed on the famous trip of the Beagle to the Galapagos Islands. Their lives were enmeshed (whether they liked it or not) until the death of Fitzroy at the age of 59. Charles Darwin was not the main character of this book. It was Robert Fitzroy, a troubled and brilliant man.
The captain and the naturalist were not the only brilliant men on the ship - many of the crew went on to live illustrious lives. It was a serendipitous event that brought them all together at the right time. (Sort of like the American Founding Fathers in 1776). One of the things I admired most about Harry Thompson's writing is how he presented facts effortlessly into the story. There was no awkwardness whatsoever.
I sometimes read multiple books at once to go with my mood. It amused me that this book was mentioned in another book I was reading simultaneously, Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell. Bythell is currently a bookstore owner in Scotland who buys and sells books, hosts literary events, all that bookstore owner stuff. He writes, Among [a customer's "for sale"] books, ... was a copy of This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson. It's truly an excellent book. A friend gave me a copy about eight years ago. Shortly after I'd finished reading it, and during Wigtown Book Festival, a visiting author asked me if I had anything in stock about Fitzroy and the Beagle... I had a look in the relevent sections but we had nothing, so I went upstairs to the Writer's Retreat to let him know. I found him chatting to Fiona Duff, the person who was in charge of the PR and marketing for the festival that year. I waited for a suitable gap in the conversation and told him that we didn't have anything in stock, but that I could strongly recommend This Thing of Darkness, at which point Fiona piped up 'Oh, my husband wrote that'. My relief that I'd said I had enjoyed it was swiftly followed by Fiona embarking on a scything and detailed description of the end of their relationship. Hahahaha. Well, Thompson might not have been a great husband but he wrote a helluva good book.
The captain and the naturalist were not the only brilliant men on the ship - many of the crew went on to live illustrious lives. It was a serendipitous event that brought them all together at the right time. (Sort of like the American Founding Fathers in 1776). One of the things I admired most about Harry Thompson's writing is how he presented facts effortlessly into the story. There was no awkwardness whatsoever.
I sometimes read multiple books at once to go with my mood. It amused me that this book was mentioned in another book I was reading simultaneously, Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell. Bythell is currently a bookstore owner in Scotland who buys and sells books, hosts literary events, all that bookstore owner stuff. He writes, Among [a customer's "for sale"] books, ... was a copy of This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson. It's truly an excellent book. A friend gave me a copy about eight years ago. Shortly after I'd finished reading it, and during Wigtown Book Festival, a visiting author asked me if I had anything in stock about Fitzroy and the Beagle... I had a look in the relevent sections but we had nothing, so I went upstairs to the Writer's Retreat to let him know. I found him chatting to Fiona Duff, the person who was in charge of the PR and marketing for the festival that year. I waited for a suitable gap in the conversation and told him that we didn't have anything in stock, but that I could strongly recommend This Thing of Darkness, at which point Fiona piped up 'Oh, my husband wrote that'. My relief that I'd said I had enjoyed it was swiftly followed by Fiona embarking on a scything and detailed description of the end of their relationship. Hahahaha. Well, Thompson might not have been a great husband but he wrote a helluva good book.
April 15, 2012
Though I am not part of a nation that ever succeeded in forming an empire, and which, historically, has been a victim more often than an oppressor, I am nevertheless a citizen of modern Europe and reaping the benefits of Western, Christian-rooted civilisation - as well as the privileges my skin colour offers. I mention this because as I read Thompson's book, the overwhelming and recurring emotions were embarrassment and dismay at the destruction white man has brought upon nations of a darker skin in the name of progress. The ill treatment of the Irish and other white yet not-quite-British peoples nonwithstanding, a white/non-white division is appropriate for this story, as skin colour seems to be the main criteria for distinguishing a civilised man from a savage in colonial exploration. Or, indeed, a man from a beast.
That is the sour, painful backdrop, and told in prose, it should leave even the historically aware reader heartbroken. Against this, we have the well-known figure of Charles Darwin (whose presence in this book was the main appeal for me), but the true protagonist is William FitzRoy, an officer of the Royal Navy and the father of meteorology-a remarkable man, and a scientist in his own right. Unappreciated as he was during his lifetime, he continues to be overshadowed by Darwin to this day, even though his discoveries were just as eminent, and I would hazard to say, a great deal more practical than the famed theory of evolution.
The book, as life did, puts these two ingenious men in the cramped hold of the Beagle for over five years. Barely in their twenties at the onset of the voyage, they grow older and wiser together, and we readers are privy to their most intimate conversations. They speak of science, and they speak of God, almost exclusively- for those are the two forces which set their world in motion and give it meaning. Their simultaneous existence is never disputed (what may come as a surprise, perhaps, to followers of the modern-day creationism vs evolution brouhaha)- but what brings the men to their final impasse is the interpretation of their application.
The reader who would seek to condemn one man's vision and praise the other's will find himself at a loss. FitzRoy and Darwin's scientific knowledge complement each other. Both men are believers. Both make astounding discoveries and come to brilliant conclusions. Both, also, make terrible mistakes. In building his theory, Darwin meanders, at once rising to heights of enlightenment, then again falling into the trap of racism and white supremacy. Interestingly, it is not any scientific conclusion which causes him to doubt the existence of God, but a personal tragedy which he finds too enormous to bear. FitzRoy, while rejecting sound proof and logic for the literal word of the Bible, nevertheless conducts scientific research, compiles precise charts, and develops a system of weather forecasting which saves thousands of lives. His Christian devotion hinders him from embracing Darwin's theory, but it leads him, also, to reject his companion's disturbing conclusion of that theory- that men are not created equal, that a superior race does exist, and it must, without any doubt, prevail.
Yet for all his sound moral standing, FitzRoy is a tool of the colonialist machine, and his convictions do not follow those of his superiors. On more than one occasion, he finds himself torn between duty and morality- a torment from which Darwin is spared, being only a passenger on the ship. At great personal cost and risk, FitzRoy leads a naive quest for civilisation; his discovery that he has been used to carry forth nothing but disease and decay all but destroys him.
I recommend this book not only to anyone interested in the story of Darwin's discoveries and the British deeds and misdeeds in the Southern Hemisphere, but most especially to those who wish to explore the challenge which scientific fact poses to the Christian faith, and vice versa. In this age of snappy slogans and snarky internet memes, it's healthy to remember that no one issue is ever as simple as a clever turn of phrase.
That is the sour, painful backdrop, and told in prose, it should leave even the historically aware reader heartbroken. Against this, we have the well-known figure of Charles Darwin (whose presence in this book was the main appeal for me), but the true protagonist is William FitzRoy, an officer of the Royal Navy and the father of meteorology-a remarkable man, and a scientist in his own right. Unappreciated as he was during his lifetime, he continues to be overshadowed by Darwin to this day, even though his discoveries were just as eminent, and I would hazard to say, a great deal more practical than the famed theory of evolution.
The book, as life did, puts these two ingenious men in the cramped hold of the Beagle for over five years. Barely in their twenties at the onset of the voyage, they grow older and wiser together, and we readers are privy to their most intimate conversations. They speak of science, and they speak of God, almost exclusively- for those are the two forces which set their world in motion and give it meaning. Their simultaneous existence is never disputed (what may come as a surprise, perhaps, to followers of the modern-day creationism vs evolution brouhaha)- but what brings the men to their final impasse is the interpretation of their application.
The reader who would seek to condemn one man's vision and praise the other's will find himself at a loss. FitzRoy and Darwin's scientific knowledge complement each other. Both men are believers. Both make astounding discoveries and come to brilliant conclusions. Both, also, make terrible mistakes. In building his theory, Darwin meanders, at once rising to heights of enlightenment, then again falling into the trap of racism and white supremacy. Interestingly, it is not any scientific conclusion which causes him to doubt the existence of God, but a personal tragedy which he finds too enormous to bear. FitzRoy, while rejecting sound proof and logic for the literal word of the Bible, nevertheless conducts scientific research, compiles precise charts, and develops a system of weather forecasting which saves thousands of lives. His Christian devotion hinders him from embracing Darwin's theory, but it leads him, also, to reject his companion's disturbing conclusion of that theory- that men are not created equal, that a superior race does exist, and it must, without any doubt, prevail.
Yet for all his sound moral standing, FitzRoy is a tool of the colonialist machine, and his convictions do not follow those of his superiors. On more than one occasion, he finds himself torn between duty and morality- a torment from which Darwin is spared, being only a passenger on the ship. At great personal cost and risk, FitzRoy leads a naive quest for civilisation; his discovery that he has been used to carry forth nothing but disease and decay all but destroys him.
I recommend this book not only to anyone interested in the story of Darwin's discoveries and the British deeds and misdeeds in the Southern Hemisphere, but most especially to those who wish to explore the challenge which scientific fact poses to the Christian faith, and vice versa. In this age of snappy slogans and snarky internet memes, it's healthy to remember that no one issue is ever as simple as a clever turn of phrase.
October 20, 2008
If I could give it six, seven, eight stars I would.
A whopper of a book but an absolutely amazing one. It's Darwin and Robert FitzRoy's life story, immaculately well researched, beautifully written and absolutely on a par with the O'Brian, Barrett and you know... God.
Very warmly recommended.
A whopper of a book but an absolutely amazing one. It's Darwin and Robert FitzRoy's life story, immaculately well researched, beautifully written and absolutely on a par with the O'Brian, Barrett and you know... God.
Very warmly recommended.
November 5, 2025
Unica opera letteraria dello scrittore Harry Thompson [1960-2005], venuto a mancare nello stesso anno di pubblicazione di questo romanzo per un cancro polmonare, “Questa creatura delle tenebre” racconta il celebre viaggio, nei primi decenni del secolo decimonono, del brigantino inglese Beagle nelle gelide e inospitali regioni della Terra del Fuoco, durante il quale, se il giovane capitano Robert FitzRoy poté adempiere brillantemente al compito impartitogli dall’ammiragliato di Londra di effettuare rilevazioni cartografiche lungo lo stretto di Magellano, il naturalista di bordo, un giovanissimo Charles Darwin, sulla base di accertamenti biologici e geologici in quelle terre, seppe gettare le basi della rivoluzionaria teoria dell’evoluzione che gli regalò fama e onori della comunità scientifica internazionale. Accanto al racconto delle traversate in quei mari insidiosi e in quelle terre ancora selvagge, lo scrittore narra in forma romanzata anche la lunga amicizia tra i due protagonisti che finì tuttavia per trasformarsi, a causa della diversità di vedute, in una insormontabile inimicizia che li separò per sempre. Romanzo e saggio nello stesso tempo, questo libro regala pagine di grande emozione e coinvolgimento cercando il difficile equilibrio tra i fatti storici e scientifici da una parte e quelli privati e interpersonali dall’altra per una lettura affascinante e indimenticabile.
April 26, 2018
Story about the voyage of the Beagle – its captain Fitzroy and its naturalist – Charles Darwin.
This is Thompson’s first novel (and last – he died of cancer shortly after publication) after non-fiction travel books and a biography (of Peter Cook).
The story combined: travelogue; biographical detail; Patrick O’Brien type epic seafaring adventure (which I found hard to follow and uninteresting); and philosophical debates.
Latter is particularly and explicitly around Evolution but also about:
Race and its interaction with “survival of the fittest” – even Darwin’s early thoughts foresee the role of Survival;
Colonialism & culture - Fitzroy’s attempts to civilise natives by bringing them to England ends up as a failure. At one point the to-be first united Argentinean president justifies his attack on the native races by using Tony Blair’s justification for the war on terror;
Colonialism and evangelism (many of the missionaries seem to equate Christianity with being English);
Good/evil and why a loving God permits them;
Progress versus tradition (Fitzroy clearly struggles both with the industrialisation and conformity of modern England as well as with the new scientific scepticism);
Politics (Fitzroy – a Tory - and Darwin – a Whig argue about the morality or otherwise of tied farm labourers against the shop system in industry as well as the workhouse system;
In addition Fitzroy’s career is heavily bound with politics even before he becomes an MP);
Science (as well as debates over geology and evolution, there is storm formation and weather forecasting).
The book is really a biography masked as and using the freedom of fiction. The last few pages make it clear how little of the story is actually fiction.
A very engrossing read and one which in the 15 year history of a Book Group I belong to was easily the most universally acclaimed discovery.
This is Thompson’s first novel (and last – he died of cancer shortly after publication) after non-fiction travel books and a biography (of Peter Cook).
The story combined: travelogue; biographical detail; Patrick O’Brien type epic seafaring adventure (which I found hard to follow and uninteresting); and philosophical debates.
Latter is particularly and explicitly around Evolution but also about:
Race and its interaction with “survival of the fittest” – even Darwin’s early thoughts foresee the role of Survival;
Colonialism & culture - Fitzroy’s attempts to civilise natives by bringing them to England ends up as a failure. At one point the to-be first united Argentinean president justifies his attack on the native races by using Tony Blair’s justification for the war on terror;
Colonialism and evangelism (many of the missionaries seem to equate Christianity with being English);
Good/evil and why a loving God permits them;
Progress versus tradition (Fitzroy clearly struggles both with the industrialisation and conformity of modern England as well as with the new scientific scepticism);
Politics (Fitzroy – a Tory - and Darwin – a Whig argue about the morality or otherwise of tied farm labourers against the shop system in industry as well as the workhouse system;
In addition Fitzroy’s career is heavily bound with politics even before he becomes an MP);
Science (as well as debates over geology and evolution, there is storm formation and weather forecasting).
The book is really a biography masked as and using the freedom of fiction. The last few pages make it clear how little of the story is actually fiction.
A very engrossing read and one which in the 15 year history of a Book Group I belong to was easily the most universally acclaimed discovery.
January 26, 2020
I have had this book on my shelf for a few years, being quite a tome I kept putting it off. However, having a week at the beach seemed like the perfect opportunity to tackle it, so I did.
Wow! I was in hook, line and sinker. This is the story of Captain Robert Fitzroy, who at the ripe old age of 23 was made Captain of the 'Beagle' and sent to assist with charting the coast of South America. He also on one of his voyages took a young Charles Darwin with him as the ships naturalist and more importantly to Robert a personal companion.
The book is fascinating in its detail of storms that they barely survived, the savagery of Europeans and South American natives in their dealings with each other and the mental health of the men enduring months on end of sea voyages in cramped, unhygienic ships.
I really admired Robert FitzRoy, his fair command of his ship and his integrity despite corruption and temptation that surrounded him. The book also provides a great insight into the formative years of Charles Darwin and how he came to write 'The Origin of Species'.
This is a great book if you like adventure, history and a bloody good story.
Wow! I was in hook, line and sinker. This is the story of Captain Robert Fitzroy, who at the ripe old age of 23 was made Captain of the 'Beagle' and sent to assist with charting the coast of South America. He also on one of his voyages took a young Charles Darwin with him as the ships naturalist and more importantly to Robert a personal companion.
The book is fascinating in its detail of storms that they barely survived, the savagery of Europeans and South American natives in their dealings with each other and the mental health of the men enduring months on end of sea voyages in cramped, unhygienic ships.
I really admired Robert FitzRoy, his fair command of his ship and his integrity despite corruption and temptation that surrounded him. The book also provides a great insight into the formative years of Charles Darwin and how he came to write 'The Origin of Species'.
This is a great book if you like adventure, history and a bloody good story.
July 23, 2019
Proprio bello. Romanzo storico molto aderente ai fatti, brillante, avventuroso, ben scritto.
Molto bella la storia dell'amicizia-inimicizia fra FitzRoy e Darwin, così diversi così fondamentalmente simili, entrambi alla ricerca della "verità" ma l'uno per trovare conferma alle Scritture, l'altro per leggere e capire la natura. Bellissime le discussioni filosofiche fra i due, uno conservatore, l'altro rivoluzionario e destabilizzante, incapaci di capirsi.
Un quadretto desolante su quello che gli occidentali hanno fatto anche in sudamerica: schiavismo, genocidi, malattie, conversioni forzate, devastazioni, imbrogli
gli abitanti incivili di qualsiasi nazione non hanno che un dominio limitato su di essa... [...]
I principi in base ai quali la Comagnia della NUova Zelanda ha operato, creando riserve per i Nativi, in visa del loro definitivo e reale benessere, e costituendo un fondo a scopi spirituali ed educativi, sono solidi e razionali e mirano a produrre benefici per entrambe le parti.
[...]
Toglieremo le terre ai neozelandesi. Chiunque opponga resistenza, compresi i responsabili del massacro di Wairau, verranno arrestati come criminali e impiccati.
Inoltre una doverosa riabilitazione della figura di FizRoy, troppo onesto e retto per i suoi tempi.
Insomma un lunghissimo romanzo pieno di cose che non annoia nemmeno un minuto.
Pesante critica alla mia edizione: i cambi di scena DEVONO essere evidenziati, almeno con una riga vuota: mi è capitato più di una volta di capire 5-6 righe dopo che era cambiato paese, situazione, soggetto, emisfero!
Molto bella la storia dell'amicizia-inimicizia fra FitzRoy e Darwin, così diversi così fondamentalmente simili, entrambi alla ricerca della "verità" ma l'uno per trovare conferma alle Scritture, l'altro per leggere e capire la natura. Bellissime le discussioni filosofiche fra i due, uno conservatore, l'altro rivoluzionario e destabilizzante, incapaci di capirsi.
Un quadretto desolante su quello che gli occidentali hanno fatto anche in sudamerica: schiavismo, genocidi, malattie, conversioni forzate, devastazioni, imbrogli
gli abitanti incivili di qualsiasi nazione non hanno che un dominio limitato su di essa... [...]
I principi in base ai quali la Comagnia della NUova Zelanda ha operato, creando riserve per i Nativi, in visa del loro definitivo e reale benessere, e costituendo un fondo a scopi spirituali ed educativi, sono solidi e razionali e mirano a produrre benefici per entrambe le parti.
[...]
Toglieremo le terre ai neozelandesi. Chiunque opponga resistenza, compresi i responsabili del massacro di Wairau, verranno arrestati come criminali e impiccati.
Inoltre una doverosa riabilitazione della figura di FizRoy, troppo onesto e retto per i suoi tempi.
Insomma un lunghissimo romanzo pieno di cose che non annoia nemmeno un minuto.
Pesante critica alla mia edizione: i cambi di scena DEVONO essere evidenziati, almeno con una riga vuota: mi è capitato più di una volta di capire 5-6 righe dopo che era cambiato paese, situazione, soggetto, emisfero!
September 7, 2011
Loved it, loved it, loved it!! This is by far my all time favorite book. It's a 10 for sure. It's very accurate and well researched account of Captain Robert Fitzroy and his voyage mapping out the South American coast, on the HMS Beagle. After finding natives he returns to England with them in an effort to civilize them. About a year later, he makes a second voyage returning them believing they can in turn civilize their own, with tragic results. It's on this second trip he commissions a young and budding naturalist, Charles Darwin and on this voyage and adventure, Darwin has profound insights into his theory of evolution. They come back home and Darwin is a star, Fitzroy falling into his shadow getting little or no credit even though he was a major contributor and collaborator. A sad and heartfelt portrait on the brilliant personage of Fitzroy and his many talents. I didn't like Darwin very much in this story. I didn't want this book to end and when it did, it left me utterly moved and sorrowful. Thought about it for days on end. It's how books should be and I learned much from it too. It is on my to "re-read" list. The author, Harry Thompson, passed away shortly after completing this book, which was a double whammy to the emotions I was going through after reading the book.
August 21, 2012
When I finished reading this book, the first statement that made it through my mind was something said by Morgan Freeman's character Detective Somerset by the end of the movie Se7en:
'Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for."
I agree with the second part.'
This book chronicles the adventure of Captain Robert FitzRoy and the crew of HMS Beagle, joined by Charles Darwin later on as the ship's naturalist-cum-village-idiot, as they traversed the Atlantic to the dreary and unforgiving Patagonian coasts, wherein they found momentary insanity, 3 natives-turned-English-gentlemen-and-gentlewoman, bolas-wielding gauchos, the wonders and enigmas of nature, and the inevitable question of nature of God between moments of hope, human nature and death.
This is an engaging and thought-inducing read, with the occasional humor on the side, and I can say that not a page is a waste even in the isolated scenes not truly relevant to the plot. I learned loads in reading this, not just historical facts, but nautical terms as well!
The lesson is free of interpretation, it just states the facts, as a good historical fiction should, although it is obvious that Christianity, at that particular time at least, and Charles Darwin are not depicted in a favorable light. What is undeniable from this book is the greatness of Captain FitzRoy as a captain, scientist(he's one of the pioneers of meteorology, making his insights more practically valuable than that of Darwin's, I think), friend, and as a human being. I am wistful however of the fact that I'll never get to meet this wonderful, wonderful man.
This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READ from yours truly but be warned, the folly and the subsequent tragedy of human nature described almost outweighs that of its goodness and wisdom, the latter ones most exhibited by the hero of this book of course, that to read is a risk to faith in humanity (as some of us often encounter daily). One thing is for sure though. If ever I have the fortune to go England, one of my places-to-go is a grave in Upper Norwood, London.
'Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for."
I agree with the second part.'
This book chronicles the adventure of Captain Robert FitzRoy and the crew of HMS Beagle, joined by Charles Darwin later on as the ship's naturalist-cum-village-idiot, as they traversed the Atlantic to the dreary and unforgiving Patagonian coasts, wherein they found momentary insanity, 3 natives-turned-English-gentlemen-and-gentlewoman, bolas-wielding gauchos, the wonders and enigmas of nature, and the inevitable question of nature of God between moments of hope, human nature and death.
This is an engaging and thought-inducing read, with the occasional humor on the side, and I can say that not a page is a waste even in the isolated scenes not truly relevant to the plot. I learned loads in reading this, not just historical facts, but nautical terms as well!
The lesson is free of interpretation, it just states the facts, as a good historical fiction should, although it is obvious that Christianity, at that particular time at least, and Charles Darwin are not depicted in a favorable light. What is undeniable from this book is the greatness of Captain FitzRoy as a captain, scientist(he's one of the pioneers of meteorology, making his insights more practically valuable than that of Darwin's, I think), friend, and as a human being. I am wistful however of the fact that I'll never get to meet this wonderful, wonderful man.
This is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READ from yours truly but be warned, the folly and the subsequent tragedy of human nature described almost outweighs that of its goodness and wisdom, the latter ones most exhibited by the hero of this book of course, that to read is a risk to faith in humanity (as some of us often encounter daily). One thing is for sure though. If ever I have the fortune to go England, one of my places-to-go is a grave in Upper Norwood, London.
May 1, 2020
Harry Thompson’s To the Edge of the World (originally published as This Thing of Darkness) was longlisted for the 2005 Booker Prize. The 2005 winner was John Banville’s The Sea; the 2005 shortlist included Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, Ali Smith’s The Accidental, and Zadie Smith’s On Beauty. For Booker obsessives like me, 2005 serves as an helpful and instructive corrective. Having read the 2005 shortlist in its entirety and without commenting on the winner, I can comfortably say that To the Edge of the World could have joined Ishiguro’s and Ali Smith’s and Zadie Smith’s novels as worthy winners and that To the Edge of the World and Never Let Me Go stand as the most memorable.
There’s so much to like about To the Edge of the World. It’s a great sea tale, standing with Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin magnificent 21 volume series (I’ve read only the first 20). Like O’Brian’s masterpiece, To the Edge of the World focuses on the nineteenth century British navy and admiralty; appears to be carefully researched; and immerses even those readers, like me, with no particular interest in or knowledge of the topics. Unlike the O’Brian masterpiece, which start in about 1800 and extend through the early 1820s and mostly included entirely fictional characters, Thompson’s novel starts in 1828 and continues until 1865 and centers upon the historical figures of Charles Darwin and Robert Fitzroy, their troubled relationship, their family lives, and their scientific triumphs.
In To the Edge of the World, Harry Thompson tells great stories and tells them exceedingly well. It’s time to dust off this doorstopper of a volume and read or reread it. A perfect novel to engage you during these troubled times.
4.5 stars
There’s so much to like about To the Edge of the World. It’s a great sea tale, standing with Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin magnificent 21 volume series (I’ve read only the first 20). Like O’Brian’s masterpiece, To the Edge of the World focuses on the nineteenth century British navy and admiralty; appears to be carefully researched; and immerses even those readers, like me, with no particular interest in or knowledge of the topics. Unlike the O’Brian masterpiece, which start in about 1800 and extend through the early 1820s and mostly included entirely fictional characters, Thompson’s novel starts in 1828 and continues until 1865 and centers upon the historical figures of Charles Darwin and Robert Fitzroy, their troubled relationship, their family lives, and their scientific triumphs.
In To the Edge of the World, Harry Thompson tells great stories and tells them exceedingly well. It’s time to dust off this doorstopper of a volume and read or reread it. A perfect novel to engage you during these troubled times.
4.5 stars
August 22, 2023
There is no shortage of books, fictional and non-, about the second voyage of the HMS Beagle but that does nothing to detract from this excellent historical novel that focuses on the life of Captain Robert FitzRoy. Although there are a few liberties taken for the sake of the narrative (fully confessed in the author's Afterword), readers who are unfamiliar with the details of the Beagle's voyages will find themselves astounded to learn that these events actually occurred, a real-life adventure with colorful characters and world-changing consequences. It's tragic that Thompson passed away at the age of 45, only a few months after his first and only novel was published, but it would be equally tragic to see this Booker-longlisted gem become overlooked in time.
July 10, 2024
I loved this book!
A huge story, but so wonderfully told by the late Harry Thompson. Fascinating on so many levels as it explores the relationship between Captain Fitzroy and Charles Darwin on their five-year journey aboard HMS Beagle.
The complexities in the relationship between Fitzroy and Darwin are well-documented, yet Thompson manages to tread a fine balance between biographical and fictional presentation which is entirely absorbing—exploring their differing views on religion, politics, colonialism, science, etc. A pleasure to read from start to finish.
One to add to my favourites.
A huge story, but so wonderfully told by the late Harry Thompson. Fascinating on so many levels as it explores the relationship between Captain Fitzroy and Charles Darwin on their five-year journey aboard HMS Beagle.
The complexities in the relationship between Fitzroy and Darwin are well-documented, yet Thompson manages to tread a fine balance between biographical and fictional presentation which is entirely absorbing—exploring their differing views on religion, politics, colonialism, science, etc. A pleasure to read from start to finish.
One to add to my favourites.
June 1, 2013
I really enjoyed this book much to my surprise!
About Captain Robert Fitzroy, (a man plagued by what would be called today Bipolor disorder )commisioned by the government to navigate and map South America and Tierra del Fuego, He takes along a young naturalist one Charles Darwin. They are on completely opposite sides of an argument. Fitzroy being a commited christian believing that every human and creature on earth has been created by the grace of God, an argument still under discussion by some today. full of rich descriptions of places and creatures. Fitzroy and Darwin became bitter enemies and Fitzroy was much maligned. He was however an exceptional man spending the later part of his life introducing a system of weather warnings and forcasts. But largely forgotten, while Darwin as we know has gone down in history. This is really a facsinating story and certainly worth reading. I thought it would be dull and boring but proved to be anything but!!
About Captain Robert Fitzroy, (a man plagued by what would be called today Bipolor disorder )commisioned by the government to navigate and map South America and Tierra del Fuego, He takes along a young naturalist one Charles Darwin. They are on completely opposite sides of an argument. Fitzroy being a commited christian believing that every human and creature on earth has been created by the grace of God, an argument still under discussion by some today. full of rich descriptions of places and creatures. Fitzroy and Darwin became bitter enemies and Fitzroy was much maligned. He was however an exceptional man spending the later part of his life introducing a system of weather warnings and forcasts. But largely forgotten, while Darwin as we know has gone down in history. This is really a facsinating story and certainly worth reading. I thought it would be dull and boring but proved to be anything but!!
January 10, 2021
Set between 1828 and 1865, it tells the moving story of Captain Robert Fitzroy, the brilliant young naval officer who captains the Beagle on which Darwin travels. The two young men become instant friends and intellectual companions, but Darwin's increasingly passionate challenges to the bible as the literal `word of god' creates fissures in their relationship which neither man can bridge.
This is a feat of rich and brilliant storytelling that is intelligent, gripping and ultimately very moving. Thompson paints a vivid picture of the intellectual and moral explorations that took place in the early nineteenth century, and sets it against an exciting background that takes in Victorian politics as well as giving us a vibrant and detailed picture of life aboard a Royal Navy vessel.
But for all its adventuring and intellectual energy, above all this is a lucid and colourful portrait of the two men at its centre: big, shambling, restless and curious Charles Darwin, borrowing his way casually through life, and challenging the very basis of nineteenth century thought: and the brilliant Robert Fitzroy, honourable, authoritative, charming, but with a darkness within him which even his iron will cannot control.
It is a great tribute to the author that we never take sides in the increasingly fanatical clash between these two men, and that both are rendered sympathetically. The last third or so of this book becomes increasingly moving, almost tragic, and I was truly dreading the end.
This is a feat of rich and brilliant storytelling that is intelligent, gripping and ultimately very moving. Thompson paints a vivid picture of the intellectual and moral explorations that took place in the early nineteenth century, and sets it against an exciting background that takes in Victorian politics as well as giving us a vibrant and detailed picture of life aboard a Royal Navy vessel.
But for all its adventuring and intellectual energy, above all this is a lucid and colourful portrait of the two men at its centre: big, shambling, restless and curious Charles Darwin, borrowing his way casually through life, and challenging the very basis of nineteenth century thought: and the brilliant Robert Fitzroy, honourable, authoritative, charming, but with a darkness within him which even his iron will cannot control.
It is a great tribute to the author that we never take sides in the increasingly fanatical clash between these two men, and that both are rendered sympathetically. The last third or so of this book becomes increasingly moving, almost tragic, and I was truly dreading the end.
April 4, 2022
Absolutely brilliant - totally captivating, couldn't put it down! There are so many wonderful aspects to this book: the scene setting of the period it's set in, the moral and religious issues covered, learning more about Darwin and Fitzroy and just the incredible story told.
I am fascinated by these clever Victorians who were ahead of their time and pushed the boundaries like no others and faced ridicule from the general public. But at the same time quite disgusted and saddened by the thinking of the time towards the indigenous people of these new territories and the arrogance of the missionaries and people in charge.
This book brings all of the above to life. I have learnt so much that I otherwise wouldn't have sought out to read. There is apparently a place for some historical fiction in my life, but it has to be extremely special!
I am fascinated by these clever Victorians who were ahead of their time and pushed the boundaries like no others and faced ridicule from the general public. But at the same time quite disgusted and saddened by the thinking of the time towards the indigenous people of these new territories and the arrogance of the missionaries and people in charge.
This book brings all of the above to life. I have learnt so much that I otherwise wouldn't have sought out to read. There is apparently a place for some historical fiction in my life, but it has to be extremely special!
April 23, 2014
It is a shame that Harry Thompson’s untimely death, not long after his one and only novel was published, robbed us of what would undoubtedly have been a phenomenal body of work. However, This Thing of Darkness stands – along with his exceptional status as a comedy producer par excellence, and his insightful journalism – as a wonderful legacy.
It is a shame this didn’t make it onto the Man Booker Prize shortlist, as it certainly deserved to do – but then as a first time author he’d have needed more of a body of work for the judges to do that. Technically, of course, given that this is an epic book of a staggering scope, it’s at least three books in one. And what a tale it tells.
The book appears, at first glance, to be a depiction of Darwin’s journey to the New World, told from the point of view of the man himself as well as the lesser-remembered young captain who transported him there. Of course, it is this, and more, but although Darwin is a significant character, this is Robert Fitzroy’s story.
Naturally, the title is ambiguous in its meaning. “This Thing of Darkness I acknowledge mine” is a quote ‘The Tempest’, where a despairing Prospero asserts his responsibility for far-from-noble savage Caliban’s behaviour and welfare. So, given Fitzroy’s extreme interest in the welfare of the natives of the South American islands he visits, and their very different reactions to “civilisation”, one might expect this to be the title’s meaning. But is it? It could also refer to Darwin’s ever-developing cynicism about the existence of God – not so much a Dark Night of the Soul as a Dark Life of the Soul. Or it may be Fitzroy’s attempts to keep the zealotry which afflicted so many of his predecessors at bay
I must admit I wasn’t completely convinced by the latter aspect, since it seemed to be a convenient plot point at times, rather than a definite motif. As an explanation of what drove Fitzroy throughout his life, it seemed lacking, somehow. However, in saying this I am well aware that I’m echoing F.R. Leavis’ wholly unjustified criticism of Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ (a work which unquestionably informs ‘This Thing of Darkness’ in ways which go far beyond the similar titles) in which he stated, apparently without irony, that the work would have been less awful if Conrad had made any attempt to define what the darkness actually was. That comment proved that Leavis, simply, didn’t ‘get it’, so maybe I’m guilty of the same thing.
Indeed, Fitzroy works to the principle that not everything needs a specific definition – sometimes you just have to put your trust and / or faith in things. The fact that in many ways this desire to categorise and prove everything becomes Darwin’s major character failing throughout the book suggests that Thompson was well aware of this. Thanks to Thompson’s championing of Fitzroy, the reader is also aware of the gross irony that whilst Darwin went on to be lauded for his discoveries, Fitzroy, without whom none of the discoveries would have been possible no matter how one looks at it, is largely forgotten these days.
The book is rich, multi-layered, and deep. It’s also superbly-written, structured and paced. The historical detail, which is almost an incidental factor, is a massive bonus. We are also treated to brilliantly-drawn principal characters and just enough information to depict the more minor characters without them seeming to be mere caricatures – even if, since Thompson can’t justify the behaviour of some of the senior officers in the colonial outposts, he can’t pass those explanations onto the reader either!
If fate decides that you are to be remembered for one work, it’s as well for it to be a great one. ‘This Thing of Darkness’ is exactly that. Thompson’s passing was a great loss to the literary world – one can only imagine what his later works would have been like if this is only a starting point – but I for one am grateful that he was able to produce a work like this.
I recommend it wholeheartedly.
It is a shame this didn’t make it onto the Man Booker Prize shortlist, as it certainly deserved to do – but then as a first time author he’d have needed more of a body of work for the judges to do that. Technically, of course, given that this is an epic book of a staggering scope, it’s at least three books in one. And what a tale it tells.
The book appears, at first glance, to be a depiction of Darwin’s journey to the New World, told from the point of view of the man himself as well as the lesser-remembered young captain who transported him there. Of course, it is this, and more, but although Darwin is a significant character, this is Robert Fitzroy’s story.
Naturally, the title is ambiguous in its meaning. “This Thing of Darkness I acknowledge mine” is a quote ‘The Tempest’, where a despairing Prospero asserts his responsibility for far-from-noble savage Caliban’s behaviour and welfare. So, given Fitzroy’s extreme interest in the welfare of the natives of the South American islands he visits, and their very different reactions to “civilisation”, one might expect this to be the title’s meaning. But is it? It could also refer to Darwin’s ever-developing cynicism about the existence of God – not so much a Dark Night of the Soul as a Dark Life of the Soul. Or it may be Fitzroy’s attempts to keep the zealotry which afflicted so many of his predecessors at bay
I must admit I wasn’t completely convinced by the latter aspect, since it seemed to be a convenient plot point at times, rather than a definite motif. As an explanation of what drove Fitzroy throughout his life, it seemed lacking, somehow. However, in saying this I am well aware that I’m echoing F.R. Leavis’ wholly unjustified criticism of Joseph Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’ (a work which unquestionably informs ‘This Thing of Darkness’ in ways which go far beyond the similar titles) in which he stated, apparently without irony, that the work would have been less awful if Conrad had made any attempt to define what the darkness actually was. That comment proved that Leavis, simply, didn’t ‘get it’, so maybe I’m guilty of the same thing.
Indeed, Fitzroy works to the principle that not everything needs a specific definition – sometimes you just have to put your trust and / or faith in things. The fact that in many ways this desire to categorise and prove everything becomes Darwin’s major character failing throughout the book suggests that Thompson was well aware of this. Thanks to Thompson’s championing of Fitzroy, the reader is also aware of the gross irony that whilst Darwin went on to be lauded for his discoveries, Fitzroy, without whom none of the discoveries would have been possible no matter how one looks at it, is largely forgotten these days.
The book is rich, multi-layered, and deep. It’s also superbly-written, structured and paced. The historical detail, which is almost an incidental factor, is a massive bonus. We are also treated to brilliantly-drawn principal characters and just enough information to depict the more minor characters without them seeming to be mere caricatures – even if, since Thompson can’t justify the behaviour of some of the senior officers in the colonial outposts, he can’t pass those explanations onto the reader either!
If fate decides that you are to be remembered for one work, it’s as well for it to be a great one. ‘This Thing of Darkness’ is exactly that. Thompson’s passing was a great loss to the literary world – one can only imagine what his later works would have been like if this is only a starting point – but I for one am grateful that he was able to produce a work like this.
I recommend it wholeheartedly.
April 8, 2012
I loved this book and thought it well written, very thought-provoking and one that stayed with me for a long time. It shows "everybody's hero" Charles Darwin in quite a different light, in fact, I won't ever hear his name in the future and think, hey he was an all-round good egg - far from it! Thompson is a spell-binding storyteller and Robert FitzRoy's "thing of darkness" certainly struck a chord with me, a fellow sufferer.
I didn't want the novel to end, when it did, I felt bereavement, especially as life had dealt FitzRoy such unfair cards. Can thoroughly recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction, natural history and a good travel-logue. What could be more exciting than to hop aboard the HMS Beagle?
I didn't want the novel to end, when it did, I felt bereavement, especially as life had dealt FitzRoy such unfair cards. Can thoroughly recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction, natural history and a good travel-logue. What could be more exciting than to hop aboard the HMS Beagle?
April 1, 2015
A strange novel, that if entirely fictional you would say was a bit, well, odd. To then find out that the entire core narrative is based on real life transforms this into a book that stays with you.
Poor Fitzroy - an extremely talented naval officer, always seeking to do the right thing, while surrounded by shady unscrupulous characters. Darwin of course is the famous one, but he flits in and out if the tale, and it is always to Fitzroy that we return.
Not an adventure novel, despite the packaging, this is a dissection of the Victorian value system and self-belief when Darwin and events expose these to be, at best, questionable, and at worst, devastating.
Unusual, thought provoking.
Poor Fitzroy - an extremely talented naval officer, always seeking to do the right thing, while surrounded by shady unscrupulous characters. Darwin of course is the famous one, but he flits in and out if the tale, and it is always to Fitzroy that we return.
Not an adventure novel, despite the packaging, this is a dissection of the Victorian value system and self-belief when Darwin and events expose these to be, at best, questionable, and at worst, devastating.
Unusual, thought provoking.
January 7, 2018
An absolutely colossal, astounding, and devastating work. I have a new hero, and his name is Robert FitzRoy.
abandoned
November 20, 2018I abandoned this fairly early on, in large part because it has the single most boring storm at sea I've ever read in the first 40 pages.
August 31, 2021
I don't usually write reviews but -
this book. this book.
it's one of those I didn't expect to, but
holds a piece of my heart now. it got me pretty teared up.
so underrated, honestly.
the prose is beautiful, the dialogues work so. well. it's a brilliant fusion of history (which manages to never result boring here), philosophy and humanity. also, the right dose of good old adventure. (little tip: have fun with Google maps whilst reading. I was constantly checking out the places they were passing through, it's been quite the ride)
overall, it made me laugh (it actually did. at loud), it made me hurt, it made me think, a lot.
it's definetly long (700 pages can be scary upon picking them up), but entirely worth it. makes you take your time knowing and appreciating (or not) these characters, and their journey.
FitzRoy's struggle in particular, I have to say - just got me. the way it was written in some parts hit me so hard. I feel him, man. he truly needs all the hugs. also, his and Darwin's relationship dynamics were positively complex, just a morbid wonder to see unfold.
strongly recommended :)
this book. this book.
it's one of those I didn't expect to, but
holds a piece of my heart now. it got me pretty teared up.
so underrated, honestly.
the prose is beautiful, the dialogues work so. well. it's a brilliant fusion of history (which manages to never result boring here), philosophy and humanity. also, the right dose of good old adventure. (little tip: have fun with Google maps whilst reading. I was constantly checking out the places they were passing through, it's been quite the ride)
overall, it made me laugh (it actually did. at loud), it made me hurt, it made me think, a lot.
it's definetly long (700 pages can be scary upon picking them up), but entirely worth it. makes you take your time knowing and appreciating (or not) these characters, and their journey.
FitzRoy's struggle in particular, I have to say - just got me. the way it was written in some parts hit me so hard. I feel him, man. he truly needs all the hugs. also, his and Darwin's relationship dynamics were positively complex, just a morbid wonder to see unfold.
strongly recommended :)
June 28, 2015
Majestic. A doorstep of a book that vividly brings to life Robert FitzRoy the Captain of the Beagle and his five year voyage with Charles Darwin to Tierra del Fuego, the Falklands, the Galapagos and beyond. The two men became close during the voyage but differences in their beliefs started as a crack and widened to a chasm. There are some marvellous discussions between the two men on whether the Biblical Flood ever happened and whether species can transmute. The book has two magnificent descriptions of sea storms that left me in awe of Thompson's writing.
The voyage was the high point of FitzRoy's life and its implications continued to haunt and taunt him. Harry Thompson's depiction of Fitzroy is masterly and moving. FitzRoy was a Tory, an aristocrat and a devout believer. He was immensely gifted, kind, complex, inflexible at times and occasionally unstable. His attitude to the indigenous people he met was humane and progressive. Darwin is a fascinating character too, driven by his discoveries and feted by society at first but struggling against illness and sadness at home.
The voyage was the high point of FitzRoy's life and its implications continued to haunt and taunt him. Harry Thompson's depiction of Fitzroy is masterly and moving. FitzRoy was a Tory, an aristocrat and a devout believer. He was immensely gifted, kind, complex, inflexible at times and occasionally unstable. His attitude to the indigenous people he met was humane and progressive. Darwin is a fascinating character too, driven by his discoveries and feted by society at first but struggling against illness and sadness at home.
January 28, 2021
Era da tanto tempo -forse dalla lettura di The Terror, che con questo romanzo ha dei parallelismi- che non mi imbattevo in un libro tanto bello e appassionante, che mi ha tenuta sveglia la notte e ho dovuto centellinare perché avrei voluto che durasse per sempre. Avventuroso, storicamente accurato, presenta uno splendido ritratto del Capitano Fitzroy, tradizionalista nella propria fede religiosa, ma elegante nelle ambizioni e nel contegno, e di fine intelligenza nel campo della navigazione e della meteorologia. Darwin ne esce con le ossa un po' rotte per contrasto, ma di agiografie di Darwin siamo pieni, e si sentiva la mancanza di una sua "decostruzione", che fornisce vitalità al romanzo. Ottocento pagine che volano e che dispiace lasciare.
July 10, 2016
Wow...I didn't just love this book, I lived it. It spoke to me in a very special way, about life, death, love, hope, despair and the inner turmoils and emotions that accompany us through the journeys we make, both physical and metaphorical. This book had everything; action and excitement, science and religion, love and war. I cannot recommend this book enough. It became my companion and I am feeling very lonely now that I have finished it.
May 12, 2016
Fascinating.
At times brutal.
Well written.
Delves deep into Fitzroy's character, his state of mind, his successes and setbacks, his perseverance in the face of ignorance, dirty politics, nepotism and cronyism.
An under appreciated steadfast hero.
At times brutal.
Well written.
Delves deep into Fitzroy's character, his state of mind, his successes and setbacks, his perseverance in the face of ignorance, dirty politics, nepotism and cronyism.
An under appreciated steadfast hero.
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