Exploring Darwin's life after his momentous voyage, Deborah Heiligman looks at how his marriage intersected with his career. After carefully making a list of the pros and cons of marrying, he rushed headlong into the arms of his cousin Emma Wedgwood, who worried that Darwin's religious beliefs (or lack thereof) might keep them apart in the afterlife. Darwin struggled with his views on God as well as... Washington Post Book Review (read the entire Washington Post review) his theories about natural selection and human nature, all the while observing — and helping to raise — their numerous children. Although the narrative sometimes bogs down in the details, Heiligman conveys the social order of the day, the comfort religion provided and even, yes, the evolution of Darwin's thoughts.

Abby McGanney Nolan frequently reviews children's books for The Washington Post Book World.

Reviewed by Abby McGanney Nolan, Washington Post Book World (Copyright 2006 Washington Post Book World Service/Washington Post Writers Group)
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Praise for CHARLES AND EMMA: "Heiligman's writing is so goodso rooted in particulars of time, place and Darwin's scientific thought, yet so light and full of dramathat readers will care about Charles and Emma and their love story. The debate between science and religion continues,today, but the relationship of Charles and Emma Darwin demonstrates that science and religion are not incompatible."--Bookpage  "This is the "wow" biography on the Darwins - meticulously researched, richly rendered and rewarding every step of the way."--San Francisco Chronicle  “Heiligman conveys the social order of the day, the comfort religion provided and even, yes, the evolution of Darwin's thoughts.”The Washington Post Book World  "There's an extraordinary sense of how persistent and vigorous Darwin's scientific thought was, and of what an unusually loving and involved parent and husband he was...Great for young readers to watch scientific work as a personal project"The Chicago Tribune  “Allows readers not only to understand Darwins ideas, but to appreciate how Emmas responses tempered them.” Publishers Weekly, starred review  “Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work.” School Library Journal, starred review  “Here is a timely, relevant book that works on several levels: as a history of science, as a biography, and, last but not least, as a romance.” Horn Book, starred review  “This intersection between religion and science is where the book shines, but it is also an excellent portrait of what life was like during the Victorian era, a time when illness and death were ever present, and, in a way, a real-time example of the survival of the fittest.”Booklist, starred review “Come for the science, stay for the love story”BCCB, starred review  "This rich, insightful portrait of Charles and Emma Darwin's marriage explores a dimension of the naturalist's life that has heretofore been largely ignored...readers wanting to know more will discover two brilliant thinkers whose marital dialectic will provide rich fodder for discussions of science and faith."Kirkus Reviews  “A unique blend of romance, scientific observations, explanations of medical practices prevalent in the earlynineteenth century, and opportunities to examine scientific discoveries and religious beliefs in detail.” VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)  "The conflicts between science and religion are daunting subjects, but Deborah Heiligmans beautiful book Charles and Emma unravels all the complexity through the lives of two remarkable people. At its heart, “Charles and Emma” is a love storybut it is amazing how much you learn by the time you finish. I enjoyed every page." Professor Ari L. Goldman, Columbia University, author of “The Search for God at Harvard.”  “Not only among the very best [Darwin biographies], but it provides something new, which is quite an achievement in such a crowded field.” John Bonner, Professor Emeritus, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University  “It is magnificent and will be a much loved and read book by many people.” Rosemary Grant, Senior Research Biologist, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University  “I loved the book and feel strongly that it should be marketed to readers of many ages and not restricted to students.” Mary Lou Gleason, New York Academy of Sciences

Praise for CHARLES AND EMMA: “Heiligman conveys the social order of the day, the comfort religion provided and even, yes, the evolution of Darwin's thoughts.”The Washington Post Book World "There's an extraordinary sense of how persistent and vigorous Darwin's scientific thought was, and of what an unusually loving and involved parent and husband he was...Great for young readers to watch scientific work as a personal project"The Chicago Tribune “Allows readers not only to understand Darwins ideas, but to appreciate how Emmas responses tempered them.” Publishers Weekly, starred review “Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work.” School Library Journal, starred review

“Here is a timely, relevant book that works on several levels: as a history of science, as a biography, and, last but not least, as a romance.” Horn Book, starred review“Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work.”School Library Journal, starred review

“This intersection between religion and science is where the book shines, but it is also an excellent portrait of what life was like during the Victorian era, a time when illness and death were ever present, and, in a way, a real-time example of the survival of the fittest.”Booklist, starred review “Come for the science, stay for the love story”BCCB, starred review This rich, insightful portrait of Charles and Emma Darwin's marriage explores a dimension of the naturalist's life that has heretofore been largely ignored...readers wanting to know more will discover two brilliant thinkers whose marital dialectic will provide rich fodder for discussions of science and faith."Kirkus Reviews “A unique blend of romance, scientific observations, explanations of medical practices prevalent in the earlynineteenth century, and opportunities to examine scientific discoveries and religious beliefs in detail.” VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "The conflicts between science and religion are daunting subjects, but Deborah Heligmans beautiful book Charles and Emma unravels all the complexity through the lives of two remarkable people. At its heart, “Charles and Emma” is a love storybut it is amazing how much you learn by the time you finish. I enjoyed every page." Professor Ari L. Goldman, Columbia University, author of “The Search for God at Harvard.” “Not only among the very best [Darwin biographies], but it provides something new, which is quite an achievement in such a crowded field.” John Bonner, Professor Emeritus, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University “It is magnificent and will be a much loved and read book by many people.” Rosemary Grant, Senior Research Biologist, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University “I loved the book and feel strongly that it should be marketed to readers of many ages and not restricted to students.” Mary Lou Gleason, New York Academy of Sciences