Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith

Author: Deborah Heiligman

Reading level: Grade 8-12

Summary:

From School Library Journal
Beginning with Darwin's notorious chart listing reasons to wed and not to wed, Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work. Using the couple's letters, diaries, and notebooks as well as documents and memoirs of their relatives, friends, and critics, the author lets her subjects speak for themselves while rounding out the story of their relationship with information about their time and place. She shows how Darwin's love for his intelligent, steadfast, and deeply religious cousin was an important factor in his scientific work—pushing him to document his theory of natural selection for decades before publishing it with great trepidation. Just as the pair embodied a marriage of science and religion, this book weaves together the chronicle of the development of a major scientific theory with a story of true love. Published for young adults, this title will be equally interesting to adults drawn to revisit Darwin on his 200th birthday.

Review:

Wow, this is such a refreshing book! Heiligman give us a good view into the live story of Charles and his sincere wife Emma. Though science and religion are important keys to Charles and Emma's lives, Heiligman wisely uses a conversational tone, full of wit and humor that keeps the pacing at the right level for middle grade and high school readers. I love it when she starts out with a list young Darwin made of the pros and cons of marriage! It reveals that his love and loyalty for his wife and children is divined.
What also comes through is the author's sympathy for two people of such opposing views, who somehow manage to come together and actually thrive. It really is a testament to the strength of their love when you read about their many struggles and heartbreaks within their own family. It's a biography at its best.
When differences in belief so often spark contention that tears people apart, I found this a beautiful story of triumph of love for our fellow beings, in a striking place: one of the first couples to have felt the impact of the theory of evolution.

Award: 2010 Winner of YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults