Amazing, Interesting, Enthralling (Submitted 27 Nov 2006)

Rating:

Reviewer: Damon

This book is a literary masterpiece. It is a fascinating novel that mixes reality and fiction perfectly. With all its gripping, satirical, heartbreaking and funny turns, The Thing of Darkness is a novel about race, religion, science and colonialism that sheds many a light on the state of our world today. It is one of history's great untold true stories - a tale of men under sail who were prepared to risk their very lives to get at the truth.... Don't be put off by the length. When you get into this book it is a whirlwind of fascination that makes every word a pleasure to read.

Top Amazon Review

I didn't want this book to end.. I am an avid reader and devour books at quite a rate of knots but this is one book that I truly did not want to end. I felt like I was on a runaway train hurtling towards the inevitable crash of a desperately sad ending, but unable to do anything to stop it. I was so engrossed in this superbly well written novel and the fact that it was based on truth that I felt truly bereft when 'this thing of darkness' finally overcame Robert Fitzroy. The journey that Harry Thompson takes the reader on through the pages of this novel is amazing in its scope and complexity. It was a pleasure to read and whilst I don't normally foist my reading choices upon others, this book will be appearing in many a Christmas stocking this year!

Customer Review 1

Not really a "thing of darkness" when magnificence overcomes despair. Vice-Admiral Robert Fitzroy is the giant who is brought to life in this book. A man who believed absolutely in his public duty,his faith and his responsibility to the men under him.He was a man who suffered from deep depression. A man of the highest ability and calibre imaginable, but one who was thrust into an imperfect world where he did everything he could to try to do the right thing. Initially the book follows his first voyage as captain of the tiny Ship "The beagle" at the age of 23 as he turns it into the finest crewed ship that was possible. Then if follows the amazing vogage of the beagle as it circumnavigate the world. Right Through the narrative we see the development of the crew. He is placed in impossible situations and uses his own funds to complete his mission and to equip the beagle. He guides the ship through every obstactle and disobeys direct orders to save lives. His uncompromising faith brings him into conflict with his most famous passenger/crew member Charles Darwin increasingly over his career. After the beagle his life becomes increasingly hemmed in by less virtuous minded superiors, first as governor of New Zealand and later as he develops the science of weather Forecasting. All through the book the remarkable people who were inspired by Fitzroy grow like giants around him. Remarkable book about a remarkable man in remarkable times.

Customer Review 2

A great read but not really a novel. I enjoyed reading it and I would recommend anyone else to pick it up and read it too. There are wonderful stretches of great travel writing. I really enjoyed the dramatised debates between Darwin and Fitzroy on Darwin's emerging theories of the origin of the species and Fitzroy's creationist stance. I thought that Thompson brilliantly brought to life the problems of leadership in all sorts of circumstances in the character of Fitzroy. He was a flawed human being dealing with difficult situations. My gripe is that this is not always a novel but a series of historical events sometimes crudely bolted together. Fitzroy was an intriguing character who could have been developed further. His dark side is never completely shown to us but only very vaguely alluded to. Were Thompson's publishers frightened of him making the central character too unlikeable? The title suggests that he wanted to go there with Fitzroy's characterization. As it stands, Fitzroy is likeable in his battles against ignorance at home and a very arrogant Darwin who like so many successful people achieves fame and fortune either through luck or on the backs of others. For me the most boring bits were those devoted to Darwin's inland expeditions although his meeting with General Rosas of Argentina is hilarious. Darwin meets a ruthless dictator and thinks he's ok... survival of the fittest. Fitzroy on the other hand is torn apart by his desire to help and protect the weak. This contrast in their characters is there but could have been developed more. This book though is not exactly a lost opportunity because there is so much that is working but what would a second novel have been like if Harry Thompson had lived longer? He hadn't quite cracked the trick of fiction with this one which is a shame but he almost got there. For that reason I give it 3 stars instead of 4. But it is a good book for many reasons and well worth reading.

Customer Review 3

Too much depature from historical fact. This book is a rattling good read but strays so very far from historical facts that it must not be used as a source of what really happened. Right from the first chapter, the author departs from the truth. The Captain before FitzRoy committed suicide in his cabin, not on shore. FitzRoy did not give Darwin Lyell's first volume on geology: Darwin wrote that he took the book with him. Worst of all are the totally fictitious and unnecessary accounts of Darwin discussing his theory of the origin of species during visits by FitzRoy to Darwin's London home after the voyage. Darwin told only three people and FitzRoy was nor one of them. It is difficult to understand why the author departed so far from the truth when it was not necessary. Even his portrayal of FizRoy as a gentle Captain doesn't fit other accounts. In presenting FitzRoy's character, the author does not make it clear that he seemed to suffer from a degree of religious mania, rather more than simply a belief in Christianity. Possibly because of his chronic illness (probably manic depression), he was also subject to savage rages when he would treat his crew abominably. At that time, it was hard to keep control on board without fierce discipline. Many sailors were pressed men and some were the dregs of society. In the book only one sailor is flogged during a voyage of nearly five years. Very unlikely. Nevertheless, there are thrilling, vivid, well written accounts in the book of a terrible storm and, later, of a catastrophic earthquake. Read this book as a novel and don't worry about historical truth.

Customer Review 4

An excellent, informative read.. This is not a book you will forget about in a hurry. Like many people, I started with little knowledge of Robert Fitzroy and a great deal more of Charles Darwin. Through the story's gripping action sequences at sea through to the politics of life back in England, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read and will teach you much about the remarkable achievements of this great man. It is a great tragedy that Fitzroy is not more well-known. His lack of fame does an injustice to his passion and discoveries. It is worth noting that as with many other reviewers on here, I am not normally attracted to reading a historical novel, in particular one so long. However after having this recommended to me by a family member I decided to take the leap. Definitely one of the best books I have ever read.