Charles And Emma: The Darwins' Leap Of Faith (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I had the opportunity to recently hear the author present at the Children's Literature Conference at Shenandoah University. It was interesting to hear her tell stories about this book that she so obviously meticulously researched. She's a lot like a dog with a bone in terms of seeking out her facts. There is no doubt that she formed an intense relationship with the Darwins after having spent so much time with them. During the course of the book, I learned not only about Charles and Emma's relationship but a lot about Victorian England as well. The book is listed as 7th grade and up, but due to the advanced vocabulary (I made a list of 68 words that would give an average 7th grader difficulty) and general interest in the subject matter, I would say it is more suitable for high school and adults. This book, based largely on the journals of Charles and Emma, is a fascinating and detailed look into the lives of these people. I found this very interesting partly because I'm interested in Darwin and the work he did. The conflict between Emma and Charles on their religious beliefs seems to parallel the pseudo conflict between religion and science today. It seems to me that both were deeply religious and Darwins's The Origin of Species makes it possible to see God in a new light; to see God as being even greater than He would have been if he had to make a special trip to this lowly solitary planet and individually create each plant and animal species. Having those species develop in the context of all the other changes that take place over the eons of time is a greater accomplishment and it means what has now become obvious, with the increasing knowledge of DNA, that all life is related, and the creation is an ongoing process, the only conclusion that is actually consistent with everything else we as Christians know or believe about God.
What do You think about Charles And Emma: The Darwins' Leap Of Faith (2009)?
A dry fictional account of Darwin's romance. Ok for middle school. Not for just any student.
—irfana12
A beautiful book about a truly beautiful and happy marriage.
—Kate
The best nonfiction I have ever read. I loved it.
—keg
