Guide Review - Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith
However, Emma’s fears that Charles would never experience a religious conversion were well-founded. Heligman manages to give life to this couple and their family and to enlighten the reader about the customs and daily life of 19th century England. She ably portrays Darwin’s struggles as a scientist and a family man but tempers these with glimpses of lighthearted moments of love and joy.
Charles was thoughtful in his pursuit of his theory that new species are created through the evolutionary process. He understood how revolutionary this was and how it might be met by the religious community. Emma’s faith in her husband was as strong as her faith in God. She served as a sounding board for Charles while he developed his theories, conducted his research and published his findings.
The story is told in chronological order and each chapter begins with a quotation that ties the chapter in primary sources. The few existing photos of Darwin and his family are included, providing the reader with a further glimpse into their lives. Well-researched and engagingly told, this is a story of love as much as it is a story of science. Enjoyable and enlightening, Charles and Emma: the Darwins’ Leap of Faith should find an audience with both scholars and tweens looking for a good read.