The Darwin Conspiracy

July 18, 2005
Darwin's theories have been under attack since he first published The Origin of Species
in 1859, but this grandly ambitious novel goes a few steps further to intimate that he was a fraud—and a murderer. Told by turns from three perspectives, the story opens in the present on a volcanic outcrop off the coast of Ecuador where Hugh Kellem, a British field researcher, while tracing Darwin's research path, meets Beth Dulcimer, a beautiful scientist rumored to be distantly related to Darwin. A quick shift shows an ambitious young Darwin about to embark on the Beagle
. A little further on, Darwin's youngest daughter, Lizzie, enters via her journal entries, written in the 1870s, decades after Darwin's famous five-year voyage. As the three perspectives unfold, Hugh and Beth find themselves trying to solve the same mystery that intrigued Lizzie 130 years earlier: what happened on the "nuit de feu
," the night that transformed the confident, robust Darwin into a haunted near-invalid for his remaining years? Stilted dialogue, perfunctory romance and expendable subplots make for a rough voyage, but Darnton (Neanderthal
) puts real passion into his historical imaginings and recreations: the revelation of the "true" origin of the theory of evolution is particularly inspired and more than enough to sustain another Darntonian bestseller. Agent, Kathy Robbins
. 100,000 first printing
.

Starred review from September 1, 2005
If Charles Darwin were alive today, he'd have some serious explaining to do. This solid and imaginative novel envisions Darwin's fateful voyage on the "Beagle" and the origin of the theory of evolution through Hugh, a troubled researcher struggling with the drowning of his brilliant older brother, an averted accident he feels he could have averted. Having left a project studying finches in the Galá pagos, Hugh travels to England in an effort to get his stalled life in gear -perhaps he can obtain a degree researching something unusual about the great Darwin. By chance, he finds the secret journals of Darwin's disgruntled daughter, Lizzie. Meticulous detective work and a chance meeting with Beth, a fellow researcher, accomplish the unearthing of a deception with far-reaching consequences. Going back and forth in time and written with careful elegance from the perspectives of Hugh, a young Darwin, and Lizzie -all of whom are burdened with secrets, grief, and guilt -this work by the author of "Neanderthal" dares you to put it down at every chapter's end. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ "5/15/05.] -Jyna Scheeren, Troy P.L., NY

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2005
The mysteries behind Charles Darwin's stunning theory of evolution and natural selection form the crux of Darnton's novel, which blends history and imaginative drama to thought-provoking effect. Darnton tells his story from three perspectives: Charles Darwin as a young man enthralled by nature, growing into manhood and professional ambitions on his voyage aboard the " Beagle" to South America, where he first formulated his theories; Lizzie Darwin, the naturalist's youngest daughter, a budding feminist constrained by Victorian society who eventually stumbles across a secret that transforms her relationship with her father; and modern-day scholars Hugh Kellum and Beth Dulcimer who compete--then collaborate--in efforts to discover the genesis of Darwin's theory. Darnton weaves the three viewpoints across time and geography--from Galapagos to Oxford--uncovering long-lost letters and diaries that reveal the controversies provoked by Darwin's theory, as well as the personal and professional tensions that tortured the renowned naturalist and the loyalties that sustained him. Darnton expertly builds suspense as the stresses suffered by the characters--real and imagined, past and present--rise to a climax. Darnton once again displays the thrilling fast pace and intrigue, meticulous research, and strong character development that he demonstrated in " Neanderthal " (1996), " The Experiment " 1999), and " Mind Catcher " (2002). (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)