Mr. Darwin’s Shooter
Mr. Darwin’s Shooter by Roger McDonald is a richly detailed novel published by Penguin in 2000, comprising 381 pages. This edition explores the life of Syms Covington, who served as Charles Darwin’s shipboard assistant and later as his house-servant. The narrative captures the excitement of the historic voyage of the Beagle while illuminating the scientific, religious, and social controversies surrounding Darwin’s groundbreaking theories.
Readers will find a nuanced portrayal of Covington’s experiences, from collecting and preserving specimens to his role as a clerk in London, where he grappled with the implications of Darwin’s research. The story delves into Covington’s mixed emotions as he awaits his copy of The Origin of Species, reflecting on his contributions to discoveries that challenged established beliefs and transformed the Victorian worldview. This historical fiction invites readers to reconsider the narratives surrounding well-known figures and the often-overlooked individuals who played significant roles in their journeys.
Official synopsis Publisher
In this richly detailed novel based on the life of Syms Covington, Charles Darwin’s hard-working shipboard assistant and later his house-servant, Roger McDonald shines a light on a man forgotten by history, capturing the breathtaking excitement of the historic voyage of the Beagle and brilliantly illuminating the scientific, religious, and social controversies that exploded around Darwin’s watershed theories.
As “Darwin’s shooter, ” Covington collected and preserved invaluable specimens; as the scientist’s clerk in London, was he the first man to grasp the full import of their research — the seeds of Darwin’s theory of natural selection? Twenty years later, Covington awaits his copy of The Origin of Species with mixed emotions. Embittered by Darwin’s failure to acknowledge him, he is also profoundly troubled by his own role in the discoveries that subverted sacred doctrines and shook the Victorian worldview to its very foundation.
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