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This Thing of Darkness – Harry Thompson
Venue: The Crown, Bathford
Date: Thursday 31st Jan 13. We had a
full turn out except for Richard, in India.
Ras's comments:
This was an easy and most enjoyable read that captured
vividly the atmosphere of the early 19th century. The story addressed some of the key issues
about who we are, how we came about and our purpose on earth. It also touches on the dilemma for the
evolutionists about morality and social duties if it is just the survival of
the fittest. This developed in the minds
of the supporters of eugenics/euthanasia – a terrifying prospect for the old or
infirm and an everyday risk for the old natives in Tierra del Fuego. The time jumps were not a problem as it was
necessary to navigate through to the significant parts of the tale; these were
numerous and colourful as well as following closely to the historical record. There was much humour intermingled with the
tragedy and cruelty. A case in point is
the comment after Darwin’s outburst when he denies the existence of God with
the confusion of the less than effective butler who did not know whether to
offer more cabbage or not.
Fitzroy was the most sympathetically treated and was clearly
an outstanding leader, honest, straight, quick-witted, fair and
farsighted. His views on the rights of
natives/indigenous people were 100 years ahead of his time and well ahead of
the religious zealots and missionaries who stumbled their way across the world
with bumbling ignorance and good, but wrong, intentions. His hard line religious beliefs were not
uncommon for the mid 19th century even if they seem strange today. His treatment by Government, corporations,
the establishment and the Royal Navy was appalling even by today’s
standards. This brings me to my key
impression from the book; it was all so relevant today:
• Decisions
were taken for political reasons with spin and vested interest of greater
import than the evidence available. In
this story it was nearly always to the detriment of Fitzroy. It was sad that such a hard-working, honest
and generous public servant should be treated so badly. Jemmy Button's sad tale supports this theme.
Even the French lauded Captain Maury USN above Fitzroy in the presentation to
him of a cheap clock (compare this to Fitzroy furnishing the Beagle with extra
very expensive chronometers to improve the accuracy of his surveying). It is surprising
that he did not commit suicide sooner!
Maury’s contribution to oceanography was significant, but I believe it
was Fitzroy who understood that weather could be forecast by using
observations; a unique insight at the time.
• The
environment was one of austerity and limited Government resources.
• There was a
running dispute over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands with the then
despotic Argentinian leader.
• There was a
fierce debate between enlightened scientists and the church over the evolution/transmutation
argument, which abounds today even when the DNA and fossil evidence is so
overwhelming.
Darwin on the other hand comes off far less well than
Fitzroy in this account. Clearly he had
difficulty publishing his theory in the Origin of Species owing to the strength
of his wife’s belief. For a young man he
was particularly staid always responding in accordance with convention rather
than using his initiative; perhaps because, originally, he was destined for the
church. He only published because Alfred
Russel Wallace had developed the same theory and he wanted his life’s work
recognised.
• Chris W
started the round of comments and had to admit that he had only read about 200
pages. In spite of his interest in
history, he would have preferred to have read a history book on the subject as
the narrative was brittle, the characters did not come alive; not a pager
turn. (Clearly not enough pages
turned.)
• Neil was
next. He was daunted by the length of
the book, but got stuck in and was hooked after about 100 pages with the
landfall in a terrifying storm; a remarkable story and really good read.
• Mark Th did
not enjoy it as much as he thought he would, but thought it a fascinating idea
for a story. However, it was
entertaining with some good humour. The
prose though was too dry and needed more detail of life on board. The result was that it was too simply told to
build up adequately for the ultimate tragedy. (Not finished and at about page
580)
• Mark T found
it hard going and turgid. However,
having met a young lady at a party recently and the conversation turning to
books she has inspired him to weigh anchor and get reading as she was full of
praise for the book. (At about page 110)
• Steve, felt
it was the sort of book he should enjoy.
He finds this period of history fascinating. A Man Booker prize nomination, it probably
missed the shortlist because it was too long.
Of concern was the issue of whether it was a novel or a biography, which
bits could we learn some history and which parts were fictional padding; for
example the tale about Commodore Mason and the rescue of the Challenger’s
crew. That said he found it a thoroughly
enjoyable and fascinating read.
• Rob’s
problem was that he could not make out if it was a history book, fiction or a
biography as it appeared to be none of the above. He gave up after 100 pages. The style was Biggles-esk and he lost the
will to live; it was no competition for the other books on his bedside
table.
• Finally,
Chris B said that he loved it, even if it was a bit long. He was intrigued by the differences between
the two main characters and how their relationship developed through the story,
particularly being thrown together in such cramped conditions for so long. There were fascinating glimpses in the book
of how the world was changing with industrialisation, railways, steamships and
philosophical thinking etc.
Well, in conclusion it appears to have been a bit of a
Marmite book; well maybe not as those who gave up after only a few pages were
probably not qualified to comment. It
was disappointing that only four of the eight present had finished it, but
those who had were particularly well rewarded with a good read. Taking up on Mark T’s admonishment by his
young school mistress there will be extra homework for those who fell short of
the task. Alternatively, the Coxswain
will be asked to let the cat out of the bag and have the grating rigged for six
of the best.
(Some did not have access to the maps at the front of the
book and this impacted on their enjoyment of the book and understanding of the
magnitude of the surveying task involved.
As a Midshipman I spent a short acquaint period in a Survey Ship, even
then in the early 70’s it was a significant manpower intensive task recording
each position relative to one another and then transcribing them to a master
chart. Inshore soundings were carried
out from small launches by hand, with only the deeper/wider areas covered by
the mother ship with an echo sounder.
The area of Tierra del Fuego being charted was over 400 miles long,
covering and area similar to that of England and Wales. There was no GPS in the 1800’s, all positions
had to be verified by celestial sights (sun and star sights) and sextant angles
between geographical features taken for subsequent reconstruction of their
position and height/depth on a master chart.
The weather in the area is pretty wet and windy most of the time making
the recording of all the data even more taxing.
Add to that the limited quality of their clothing, what they achieved
was quite remarkable and their data still forms the backbone of the charts
being produced for that area, even today.)
Richard sent the following comments from India: “I thought that it was tremendously well
written; I found it a gripping story and it was very much a 'page-turner'
(except for a very short section about 500 pages into the book, where it
focussed more on Darwin and his travels - I think he wrote much more
sensitively and interestingly about FitzRoy than about Darwin); the
characterisation was excellent - I really got to know the main characters in
great depth, and yet I also felt that I knew quite well the huge host of other
and more minor ones that populated this fascinating account; the science was
gripping (and of course these debates are still being played out now both in
the UK and across various parts of the world); the tragedy of many aspects of
colonialism; how ill-treated poor FitzRoy was in so many ways; how amazing a
man he was and how he was so far-sighted and creative.”
Chris B's own notes on finishing the book:Another book with mixed reactions from the
Blokes. For me, a most enjoyable read, despite its length. It engages through
its characters, especially Captain Fitzroy and Darwin, the excitement of many
of the adventures and challenges faced on the voyages and the philosophical
exploration of the challenges to the scriptural orthodoxy of the creation and
flood. It is well researched, despite occasional lapses e.g. in some nautical
descriptions. It makes the conservative god-fearing captain a sympathetic
character wrestling with his demons, his principles of respect for the native
people he meets on the way and his mental illness as well as the bureaucracy
and politicking of his bosses, the venal buccaneers and misguided missionaries
and the raging elements. Darwin is given the growing and inexorable logic of
his position on the slow evolution of the earth's geology and fauna and flora,
but an increasingly unattractive selfishness and careerist focus.
The times of change towards an industrial and increasingly
polluted and money focused age are provided as a convincing context for the
adventures, discoveries and human tensions in the story. The sheer toughness of
life whether on board ship or in coping with frequent child, partner and friend
deaths from illness, accident and aggression is not avoided but again does not
overshadow the human story or the sheer power of Darwin's emerging discoveries.
It is a book to make you think about the meaning of life
itself and certainly challenges any notions of either a benign or a literal God
of the Old Testament.
The kitty stood at £21.35p - not sure who made off with it at the end of the night...
The kitty stood at £21.35p - not sure who made off with it at the end of the night...
