Synopsis
An intimate and highly original interpretation of the life and work of Charles Darwin, by his great great grand-daughter, acclaimed poet, Ruth Padel.
Charles Darwin lost his mother at the age of eight, repressed all memory of her, and poured his passion into solitary walks, collecting newts and shooting. His five year voyage on the Beagle, in his twenties, changed his life. Afterwards, in London in 1838, he began publishing his findings and working privately on groundbreaking theories about the development of animal species, including human beings. He had a very happy marriage with his cousin Emma, and his emotions were no longer frozen, but both were painfully aware of the gulf between her devout Christian faith and his increasing religious doubt. The death of three of their ten children accentuated this gulf. For him, death and extinction were part of the survival of the fittest, for her, it was a prelude to an afterlife.
In this new sequence of poems, using multiple viewpoints, Ruth Padel follows not only the development of the great scientist’s professional thought, and the drama of the discovery of evolution, but also imagines the fluctuating emotions within Darwin, the private man and tender father. It is a moving and powerful tribute to her famous forbear.
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About the Author
Ruth Padel is a prize-winning poet with seven poetry collections to her name, including Voodoo Shop and The Soho Leopard, both shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize.
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Darwin: A Life in Poems
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Darwin A Life in Poems
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Vintage Publishing, United Kingdom, London, 2009
ISBN 10: 0701183853
ISBN 13: 9780701183851
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Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Charles Darwin lost his mother at the age of eight, repressed all memory of her, and poured his passion into newt collecting and shooting. As a young man, his five year voyage on H.M.S. Beagle changed his life. Afterwards, working privately on groundbreaking theories about the development of species, he published his geological findings. He also made a nervous proposal to his cousin Emma. They had a very happy marriage but both were painfully aware of the gulf between her devout Christian faith and his increasing religious doubt. The death of three of their ten children accentuated this gulf. For Darwin, death and extinction were nature's way of developing new species: the survival of the fittest. For Emma, death was a prelude to the afterlife. In these extraordinary poems, using multiple viewpoints - even, at one point, the orangutang at London Zoo - Ruth Padel follows the development of Darwin's thought, the drama of the discovery of evolution, and fluctuating emotions in Darwin the husband, the naturalist and the tender father, in a powerful tribute to her famous forbear. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001669913
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Darwin : A Life in Poems
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Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,350grams, ISBN:9780701183851. Seller Inventory # 9705152
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Darwin A Life in Poems by Padel, Ruth ( Author ) ON Feb-12-2009, Hardback
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Darwin A Life in Poems by Padel, Ruth ( Author ) ON Feb-12-2009, Hardback
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Hardcover. Condition: Used; Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 1033249
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Darwin - A Life in Poems
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Hardback. Condition: Used. In the hallowed halls of literary experimentation, where the scent of old paper mingles with existential dread, we stumble upon a curious specimen: *Darwin - A Life in Poems* by the charmingly audacious Ruth Padel. This 2009 marvel from Chatto and Windus invites you to experience the evolutionary musings of a naturalist not through dry, dusty prose, but via the lyrical embrace of verse. Yes, that?s right?poems! Because why merely recount the life of Charles Darwin when you can dress it in metaphorical finery and let it prance about in iambic pentameter? Padel, an accomplished poet and Darwin?s great-great-granddaughter, presents us with a biographical tapestry that is part homage, part frolicsome jaunt through the tangled underbrush of scientific discovery. Who knew that the man who gave us the theory of evolution could also inspire sonnets and quatrains? One might expect to find natural selection in dusty textbooks, but here it flutters like a moth, illuminated by the flickering light of poetic inquiry. The result is a collection that might make even the most jaded academic raise an eyebrow in bemused appreciation. Imagine sitting with a cup of tea, pondering the mysteries of life, while Padel?s verses parade across the pages, playfully twisting and turning through time. You could say she?s attempting to bridge the gap between the rigorous world of science and the whimsical realm of poetry?a daunting task, indeed! But fear not, for she seems to revel in the challenge, transforming Darwin?s observations on finches and barnacles into stanzas that might just cause a chuckle or two. But wait, there?s more! This collection isn?t just about Darwin?s profound thoughts on evolution; it?s also an exploration of the man himself. Padel gives us glimpses into his personal life, where he juggles the demands of science and family with the grace of a Victorian acrobat. The reader is treated to the tragic, the humorous, and the downright absurd. Perhaps you?ll find yourself pondering the complexities of life while chuckling over Darwin?s trials with domesticity?did he ever wonder if the family pet was evolving too? Let?s not forget the unexpected theme of nature versus nurture that dances throughout. Padel seems to suggest that the apple doesn?t fall far from the tree, or perhaps it rolls into a patch of wildflowers. The dynamic between the poet and her subject creates a delightful tension, as if we?re eavesdropping on a family reunion where science and artistry engage in a spirited debate. Will Padel prevail in her quest to immortalize her ancestor, or will Darwin?s beard overshadow her literary aspirations? Only time?and a careful reading?will tell. Condition: Used, but not in the sense that it has been trampled by time or drenched in neglect. No, this copy has seen some love, perhaps a few dog-eared pages, and maybe a marginal note or two that can only be described as ?thoughtful musings.? It retains a certain charm, akin to a well-loved teddy bear that has survived many adventures in the wild, albeit plush and slightly threadbare. Grab it while it still has some of that old-world allure! In a world brimming with scientifically inclined tomes that might as well be written in Latin, Padel?s *Darwin - A Life in Poems* stands out like an uninvited guest at a dinner party, charming everyone with its quirky anecdotes and unrefined wit. It is a book that offers both a journey and a destination, proving that poetry can indeed be the bridge that connects us to the profound?and often peculiar?world of evolutionary thought. So, if you find yourself yearning for a literary experience that hurls you headlong into the chaotic beauty of life, look no further. You may just find a spot on your shelf for this quirky collection, all thanks to Crappy Old Books, where we celebrate the splendidly odd and the occasionally profound, one dusty tome at a time. THIS BOOK BEARS THE CRAPPY OLD BOOKS STAMP. IF THAT IS UNDESIRABLE PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS. THE STAMP MARKS WHICH IS USUALLY TO THE FRONT AND BACK INNER PAGES SAYS SOLD BY CRAPPY OLD BOOKS WITH WEB SITE URL. IT IN NO WAY DEMINISHED FROM THE READING. IF YOU WANT A PRISTINE BOOK, PLEASE FIND ANOTHER BOOK IN BETTER CONDITION SOMEWHERE ELSE. Seller Inventory # 2745
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