I wanted to like this book more, really I did. I enjoyed the parts about the family, the rest I found boring. ( )

While I enjoyed and appreciated this biography, I am not sure that it will have great appeal to young adults without a good deal of promotion or previous interest. ( )

I was really enjoying this for about the first half, and then it somehow changed a little and I found myself losing interest in the people. After that it felt more of a regurgitation of facts than the love story it was intended to be. I got it - they loved each other. That can only be said so many times in so many ways before it loses meaning. I love Darwin and his insatiable curiosity about life, and I did learn a lot, but other stuff just seemed to be random stuff thrown in to make it longer and didn't really connect with the main points. ( )

I started reading this curious book (a study of the Darwins' marriage written for teens?) on Darwin Day (February 12, 2016). I was interested in learning more about how they made their long and mixed-belief relationship work (throughout their 40+ years together, Charles was a sceptic and Emma was a believer). Turns out, it was the things that we already know make strong relationships: mutual respect, communication, love, open minds, trust, physical touch, shared goals. What a great story. The author considered titling this book Charles, Emma, and God: The Darwins at Home, which I think is just perfect.

Make sure to check out Creation, the fantastic film about Mr. and Mrs. Darwin starring married actors Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly. ( )

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith - Heiligman
Audio performance by Rosalyn Landor
4 stars

This biography is intended for a young adult audience. It is not overly complex, but it is surprisingly detailed. Many biographies for young people paint a rosy picture of their subjects, skimming over controversial details. This book is built around the controversial issue; Charles Darwin, his Theory of Evolution, and its effect on 19th century Christian theology. It is also the story of a marriage.

The book is not focussed on Darwin as a scientist or on his theory, although these things are clearly, if briefly, presented. It is solidly researched. I never thought the author was guilty of putting words into the mouths of her subjects. She quotes from diaries, letters, Darwin’s notebooks, and other publications. She gives explanatory historical context about the 19th century concerning transportation, medical practices, and social behavior that would definitely be helpful to a young reader.

This book is about Darwin’s personal and family life. It begins with his agonised decision about whether or not to marry. His approach was typically scientific and obsessive. He made a list of pros and cons. The number of objections exceeded the number of benefits. But, apparently, the evolutionary sexual drive to increase the species won out. He married his cousin. They had ten children. They lost three of them in childhood.

The book’s subtitle reflects the author’s attention to an ever present factor of the Darwin marriage. Emma Darwin was a religious woman. Even before the marriage, at the time of his proposal, Charles has significant religious doubts. He did not attempt to disguise his opinions, but he was also sensitive, and very anxious, over the distress his beliefs would cause his future wife. (Later, he agonized over the explosive effect the publication of his theory would have among the scientific and religious communities.) Using letters and diary entries, Heiligman demonstrates that the couple continued an open and respectful theological debate throughout their marriage. To all appearances they had a long and happy marriage. ( )