I am not sure that there is a convention when it comes to reviewing books, but it is probably customary to expound on the contents before declaring a verdict. Permit me to reverse the order here and to state immediately that I am entranced with this work. It is scholarly, extremely well written, and introduces me to an author hitherto unknown - to me at least. The title is apt - there was magic between the pages for this reader.
Darwin has been the bedrock of my belief system for almost as long as I have cogent memory of such things. Of Emily Dickinson I knew very little, confined only to popular poems that have been frequently cited in other works, and the phrase "Hope is the thing with feathers" that has been used almost ad nauseam in ornithological circles.
Dickinson and Darwin never met, and Darwin had but the briefest knowledge of Dickinson, (if any at all), through the conduit of a mutual friend, Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Darwin, however, featured in Dickinson's life in a substantial way, and she embraced his view of nature divorced from belief in divine creation. Neither Darwin nor Dickinson were regular churchgoers, in a time when lack of observance was viewed with suspicion and disapproval. The majesty of nature was sufficient testament to the origin of species long before hominids appeared on Earth. While some contrived to fit new discoveries, and unassailable fossil evidence, into biblical accounts, there was increasing skepticism about the Genesis creation story, and subsequent events such as the universal flood. The belief in the interconnectedness of all life was becoming ever more widespread.
At the time, the study of nature was viewed as suitable for girls and women, and their contribution to the growing fields of geology, biology, chemistry and other disciplines - science as it came to be called - was substantial. It was only when science became more specialized and careers opened up for men that it came to be viewed as a preserve for males, with women lacking the temperament and intellectual capacity for such esoteric pursuits.
Science was deemed more precise, more definitive, grounded in evidence, remote from literature and poetry, yet neither Darwin nor Dickinson ever accepted that this separation existed.
It is interesting to speculate how they would have reacted to the schism between the religious right and science today, where many advocate the teaching of creationism in science curricula. I suspect they would have been alarmed.
When Darwin died his fame was universal, his place in history assured. Dickinson, on the other hand, was an obscure New England poet, barely published. Darwin was entombed in Westminster Abbey with all the pomp and circumstance that such an honour demands; Dickinson was buried in a small cemetery close to her home.
The fact that they have been brought together in this riveting work is cause for great celebration.
I don't think it is an exaggeration to claim that I know Darwin well. Now it's time to get to know Emily Dickinson much better.
Thank you, Renée Bergland, for opening up a panoply of fascination for me. This is just the beginning.
Natural Magic: Emily Dickinson, Charles Darwin, and the Dawn of Modern Science - Princeton University Press
Renée Bergland
Hardcover - US$32.00 - ISBN: 9780691235288
440 pages, 59 black-and-white illustrations
6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.31 x 23.125 cm)
Publication date: 30 April, 2024
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I suspect you will really enjoy getting to know Emily Dickinson. I know I did, and still learn from her (and from Charles Darwin).
ReplyDeleteIt surprises me not at all, Sue, that you are familiar with Emily Dickinson, and appreciate her.
DeleteThank you for this review, David. It is now on my wish-list - maybe a Father's Day present?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and Miriam - - - Richard
enjoy your dive into dickinson, I know neither of them and do no desire to, but will be diving into my next action packed thriller book. ha ha.. my brother collects books like you do, not about the same subject matter, but none fictiction. he turned all four walls of their dining room into a library to hold his collection and spends hours pulling out books and looking through them time and again. I have no books in my house, other than a collection of 8 Bibles . have a good read
ReplyDeleteIt is curious to me that you seem to be inordinately proud that you have no desire to expand your literary horizons, and make your own judgement about the people featured in this book. At least you have eight copies of the same work of fiction!
DeleteFabulous!
Delete😉
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteThank you, David, now I have broken my vow and added yet another to my wishlist...YAM xx
...Natural Magic, what a wonderful title.
ReplyDeleteWonderful book.
DeleteThank you for the review, David. I know Emily Dickinson was a poet..that's all.
ReplyDeleteThat's the kind of review that writers dream of! It sounds like an unlikely combo, yet maybe not so much, when you remember how unorthodox both were. Thanks so much for the info.
ReplyDeleteMost interesting book. Thank you for the review David.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Roos
Fascinating!
DeleteIt seems like a wonderful book to me David.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Irma
David!
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent review. Emily Dickinson is the most mysterious poet in history. This fascinating and somewhat legendary woman continues to capture the imagination of literature researchers and poetry lovers to this day. I love her love poems.
Hugs and greetings.
Hi David - I love to learn and learn ... this sounds such a fascinating book and I imagine crosses disciplines as the title alludes too ... another book I'd love to read sometime. Emily I have (must) to read more of her poems. Thanks for the review - it sounds fascinating ... Cheers HIlary
ReplyDeleteI have not the slightest doubt you would enjoy the book, Hilary.
DeleteSounds like a very interesting book. I admire both poet and scientist.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful, I will enjoy reading it! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteEmily is a fascinating poet and interesting, but mysterious woman. Enjoy meeting her. :)
ReplyDeleteTwo fascinating people.
ReplyDeleteOh, it sounds like a very good book, David. As you already know, I have always admired Charles Darwin. I have a very thick book about him in Norwegian, and I guess this book you review will never be translated in Norwegian.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Yes, sadly, it will never be translated into Norwegian, Marit.
DeleteA marvelous review David! I am always on the lookout for an interesting read and your recommendation has spurred me on to look out for this one too. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine that you won't enjoy it.
DeleteI know Dickinson but really not too much about Darwin. Sounds like an intriguing read.
ReplyDeleteIt really is.
DeleteIt sounds a wonderful book
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I am a great fan of Emily Dickinson, but only cursorily acquainted with Darwin. I shall read this book.
ReplyDeleteI will expand my knowledge (and no doubt appreciation) of Emily Dickinson.
DeleteI love Emily's poetry, her lyrics are beautiful; from time to time i read some verses under the sun in the morning, the way in which she poetizes nature is a delight. This book is a great combo!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, dear David. Have a nice night. ·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙ ✩ *̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙
Know of them both. Charles even visited Tasmania. Emily is interesting.
ReplyDeleteNice review of the book David.
It sounds an intriguing subject for a book. I seem to remember reading that Darwin was a great reader of poetry during his days at Cambridge, especially Wordsworth and Coleridge (if I haven't got it completely muddled up in my aging head).
ReplyDeleteYour memory is impeccable, John, and later in life Darwin expressed regret that he had gotten away from poetry as “natural philosophy” morphed into various scientific disciplines. He never saw a contradiction between the two.
DeleteThis book looks terrific, David. I rather like both Darwin and DIckinson so I think it ticks all the boxes!
ReplyDeleteInteresting review. That’s an intriguing combination of authors.
ReplyDeleteThe convergence between the two is remarkable.
DeleteI was surprised to see Emily Dickinson as a co-author of this book. I never would've imagined her as an author of this type of book.... It must be the 'magic' !!
ReplyDeleteAh, but Missy she is not a co-author. The book is about Dickinson and Darwin. I recommend it highly.
DeleteOooh, this looks like a book worth reading for sure! Thanks for the excellent review!
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt you will enjoy it, Shari.
DeleteWhat an interesting and obviously fascinating book. I know quite a bit of Darwin, but only are starting to familarize myself with Dickinson - I always find poems in a different language but my native tongue difficult. However, a while ago I've started to read much more poetry in English than I used to do (thanks to Mary Oliver) and simply enjoy the beauty of poetic language.
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver is a wonderful place to start, Carola.
DeleteNice book David, thank you for the review. Have a nice weekend !
ReplyDeleteHello David :=)
ReplyDeleteI would like to read this book, I have read a little about Emily Dickinson and read some of her poetry, and I also know a little about Charles Darwin, and have read about his theories about the evolution by natural selection, but a little is not enough, and now that I have read your review am eager to learn more about them both. Thank you David, you have piqued my curiosity and I will be on the lookout for "Natural Magic"
Hugs and xxxxxx.
Hi David
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing book, I look forwards getting them.
Interesting, important, beautiful. It looks like a book that everyone should read.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your review. It led me to think about women in science, a sad subject as you imply in what you said here. They were first treated as trivial when science was more of a hobby than a profession, and then, despite their level of commitment and skill, were all but shut out of the pursuit. At least two women who won the Nobel Prize were generally unrecognized or in very poor jobs (one was an unpaid assistant when the award was announced). Many many others were entirely derailed from a career in research.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I actually have that book and should get it out and enjoy it again this week! Thanks for the book review!
ReplyDeleteI suspect that you are thinking of a different book. This one will not be published until 30 April.
DeleteThe excitement about Emily Dickinson is contagious! Makes me want to dive into some nature poetry myself.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fascinating read. I'd love to learn more about the intricacies of Darwin and Dickinson's mind. Thanks for sharing;)
ReplyDeleteWe can't help but broaden our horizons while in your presence. My book shelf is beginning to bulge with books many of which have been recommended by you. I am not a speed reader, so I am guessing I am falling behind, but I am determined to catch up and reading Darwin and Emily Dickenson tempts me to skip ahead of others just to get to them. I only wish that some of your books were already in paperback form so they wouldn't be so expensive :( That, however, hasn't stopped me yet and "April Magic" is already ordered and will be delivered on the day of it's release. How is it, I ask foolishly, that you have access to all of these books before they are released?
ReplyDeleteSo I must note that I had to go all the way back to April 4th to find a comment from you on my blog (since you don't comment on Rain anymore, I have to use your comments on my blog to post comments on your blog)... have I offended or are you just so terribly busy 😒. Thank you for this newest of your book reviews ... I look forward to a good read. Hope all is well with you ...
Andrea @ Form the Sol
Hi Andrea: As a reviewer for PUP they send me an advance copy of the book. As for commenting, be sure to check your spam folder. I leave a comment on every post but they frequently don’t show up.I suspect that for whatever reason they are being sent to Spam. You should be able to retrieve them. I actually emailed you about this and will do so again. David
DeleteWow! You should get paid for this book review. Makes me want to order it. Thanks so much and have a nice evening.
ReplyDeleteTal vez algún día salga en español, me encantaría. Un abrazo amigo.
ReplyDeleteQuerido David muchas gracias por tus grandes reseñas, siempre impresionantes. Me gustan las poesías de Emily Dickinson. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Miriam.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, it is certainly a very interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I started to comment on this post the other day, got interrupted, but have been thinking about this book. It sounds fascinating. Emily Dickinson is one of my favorite poets, not only because she is from Western Massachusetts and one must know about New England poets when one lives in New England. I actually like her poetry a lot. I knew she never really left her home, but not about her interest in Darwin. Wow. Now I need to check out that book. I'm adding it to my list where the last bee book you wrote about is also sitting. I think I need to spend a week just reading...more than I already do. Grin. Hope you're having a great week. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI really do need to increase my knowledge of Emily Dickinson. I will check with the local library to see whether they have a book (or two or three) of her poetry. You may recall that I recently did a piece on Mary Anning, so I have been involved with some incredible women of late. Don't tell Miriam!
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