Throwback Thursday #4: The Origin by Irving Stone

Throwback Thursday is a monthly bookish meme hosted by Davida @ The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog every first Thursday of the month, where we are highlighting one of our previously published book reviews.

I see this as an opportunity to re-post (or translate posts originally published in Bahasa Indonesia) my old book reviews, previously posted in my old (now inactive) blogs.

For #ThrowbackThursday this week I picked a book I have read and review in October 2018

The Origin by Irving Stone

🌱 Charles. Darwin. A name so familiar in modern world, yet so little had we known about the person. I have read his magnum opus last year: On the Origin of Species, yet then I have only focused on his views on evolution and struggle for existence theory. I have never imagined, for example, that Darwin had made that famous voyage on board The Beagle in a so young of age of 22—in fact it was even his first voyage ever! Or, that he was NOT a Naturalist before the voyage; but was originally intended to pursue medical career—following the lead of his father and grandfather. He had failed; and finally made up his mind to take theological study at Christ College to become a curate, which was approved and encouraged by Robert Darwin, his father. Then, when Charles Darwin has finally settled his future career, came a letter from the Naval Office, inviting him to join HMS Beagle as its Naturalist—something beyond even Darwin's wildest dream. 

🌱 While studying at Christ College, Darwin often accompanied Professors John Henslow and Adam Sedgwick, from whom he learned much about botany and geology. That, and his passion on nature (he liked to catch butterflies and even toads), that made him eligible to join the survey expedition conducted by Royal Navy. The appointment itself was almost like an act of Providence. Darwin was the third person picked, after two others (more prominent Naturalists) rejected for some reasons.

🌱 His father didn't approved Darwin going for two year voyage, while he was supposed to start looking for a parish to settle in. Only after Darwin's uncle intervene, that his father softened, and finally gave Darwin his blessing—without which Darwin would have given up the voyage altogether, since he respected his father's decision very much. This was an aspect that I loved from the Darwins: love and respect from father and son.

🌱 Later on after Darwin returned from the voyage, and was happy in doing researches and writing his books, his father totally accepted and never blamed Darwin for ever giving up his religious career. Darwin was also blessed with an amiable wife and supports from his friends, which later proved to be valuable to Darwin's career as Naturalist. Maybe it's because Darwin was himself an amiable person: humble, docile, and peaceful.

🌱 Darwin was neither a healthy nor strong young man when taking the five years voyage, and after settling with his large family while writing his numerous books, he was often tortured by his illness. But I think it was caused mostly by his moral conflict. Remember what happened to Galileo after publishing his heliocentric theory? He was accused of committing heresy.

🌱 Now, Darwin always hated controversy. He would have stayed home and become priest, had his father rejected his voyage. He was perfectly aware that his theory of evolution would be strongly opposed by the Church and by the society. In 19th century the Church doctrine was that every creature was created as it was by God; and that they were all good. Darwin found out from studying tons of specimens he had collected during the voyage, that these creatures, which God has first created, has been evolving through years of struggle of existence, then formed various new sub-species. That would shock the world, and especially his wife Emma, whom Darwin loved and adored, and who happened to be a very religious person.

🌱 These thoughts tortured Darwin so much in the form of many curious uncured physical symptoms. But—and this is what I most adored from him—Charles Darwin never flinched from his belief; and though he has promised Emma to never pursue the theory, he never stopped developing it in his mind, and secretly writing it. Darwin, who was a docile and peaceful person, dared to do it against all odds, because his conscience told him to speak the truth!

🌱 As all other new ideas, On the Origin of the Species did cause huge turbulence on scientific and Church history when published. These were the most insufferable time for Darwin, yet he never stopped researching and writing a lot of books, each of which opened fresh debates among scientists, as well as public readers. However, after the first blow from On the Origin, people began to accept his theory, and Charles Darwin became one of the most prominent scientists in the world.

🌱 Thanks to Irving Stone, the life, works, and the scientific world around Charles Darwin was finally revealed to us. Like Darwin, Stone have done meticulous researches around his subject. The project took him five years to finish; the same time for Darwin to collect his specimens and notes aboard The Beagle. The book caught perfectly and beautifully the emotional struggle of Darwin and his peers during the rising period of science. The Origin is a monumental work. I was so grateful to have read it. Not only to know more of the Naturalist, but also to understand more of his works, especially On the Origin of Species. What a read!

Rating: 5 / 5


Have you read this book? Or any other historical fiction of Irving Stone's?

 

How to Look at a Bird: Open Your Eyes to the Joy of Watching and Knowing Birds by Clare Walker Leslie

Thanks to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for providing me a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

🦜 I don't know when exactly it was when I realized that I've always been fascinated by birds. I am an early riser, and I love to go outside on my apartment balcony in the morning, to feel the crisp air, watching the golden light of sun touching the tips of the trees, smell the freshness of the pines or flowers, and...the chirps and songs of the birds. No matter how rough I have felt the day before, a few minutes of these rituals always bring smile on my face, and warmth in my heart, ready to start the new day. In fact, watching the birds itself always make me happy. And that's why I was very excited to get to read and review this book.

🦜 Clare Walker Leslie is both an author and illustrator. In this little book, she encourages beginners at birdwatching to take the first step in taking this hobby into next level. It doesn't require one to be scientist or naturalist. First the joy of watching birds around where we live, be it in the country, suburban, or even in a busy big city like where I live. From there, you'll get curious to what bird that is, what they are doing, why they're doing it, and so on. That curiosity will make one a better observer.

🦜 This book hooked me from the first because apparently Clare has been staying at an apartment building, as I do. She shares how she attracted birds by hanging some feeders on the balcony. It made me realize that one CAN do birdwatching without having to travel in the country or visiting a forest. Clare also shares how to choose our binoculars. I like this kind of practical tips when reading a "how to" books.

🦜 If you imagine this book would be boring and full of technicality or specifications of birds, you were wrong. It feels more like talking with a longtime birdwatchers who's glad to tell you of her love of birds and birdwatching. She wasn't an expert too when she began, but when you do what you love, I believe you'll find ways to learn more. You'll search for it on the internet, you'll find people with the same hobby to talk too, and so on. The possibility would be endless. What you need is to take the first step. And that's what this book will inspire you without being condescending.

🦜 Another pleasant part of this book is the sketches and colorful illustrations of birds and birdwatching. My favorite is the feeder hung on her apartment balcony – maybe because I can relate to it, living in an apartment myself. Clare even shares the step-by-step of sketching a bird. You needn't be good at drawing, by the way. There's this technique which she called blind contouring – doing rough-sketch while focusing on the object, without looking at what you’re doing – which seems quite doable. I can't wait to try myself!

🦜 Do you love birds, but find the word "birdwatching" intimidating? Read this book, and you'll see that it's actually not that scary! Clare described in details several species of birds (with illustrations) which you'll find in some parts of the world (mainly the US), but like she said in this book, wherever you live, there are always birds around you. Moreover, you’ll learn some interesting things about these birds, though you might perhaps never see them. Like the story of Rocky, the saw-whet owl which made headlines in 2020 because she was found in the giant Christmas tree of Rockefeller Center which has been brought from Canada, that's amazing!

🦜 I am so lucky to have found this book, it inspired me to start a new hobby, which might perhaps be useful after my retirement! If you love nature and birds, you'll find this book a helpful guidance.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

**How to Look at a Bird: Open Your Eyes to the Joy of Watching and Knowing Birds will be published on 6th February 2024.

 

#MurderEveryMonday: Covers with Train

Murder Every Monday was created by Kate @ Crossexamining Crime and @ArmchairSleuth. Put simply, the plan is for readers to take a photo of a crime fiction book (novel or short story collection) which meets a given week’s theme criteria and to then share it online, using the hashtag #MurderEveryMonday.

This week's theme is:

Cover with a train on

I didn't realize there are quite a lot of Golden Age murder mysteries set on or around a train. The increasingly common use of express train in those days was part of the reasons, I guess. Here are covers with train that I could think of:

Have your read any of them? Which cover(s) do you like most?

If you want to participate, here's the list of the weekly theme:

Six Books Saturday #2: Books That Remind Me of My Father

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Word Saturday, which I've stumbled upon Travel with Intent.

It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books.


This month's theme is very personal. My father passed away two months ago, and I have missed him terribly. This is a remembrance to my dear Papa, who had imparted his passion of reading on me since my childhood. Here are:

Six Books that Remind Me of My Father

Harry Potter (book 1 to 7) by J.K. Rowling

It always amazes me how my father must have loved Harry Potter much more than I. But that's a fact. He had read through the series for probably six times (or more), especially during the last three to five years of his life. Looking at my now battered Harry Potter books will always reminds me of him. We often watched the movie together too, but more often he watched it alone on HBO.

The Adventures of Tintin (series) by Hergé

When I was about five or six years old, my father's hobby was photography. He often took me when he visited the photography shop, which was next to a bookstore. I remember how I used to read Tintin at the bookstore while waiting for Papa doing his business next door. I was so absorbed into Tintin's universe, that I didn't see Papa coming to fetch me.

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

My first read of The Three Musketeers was a graphic novel, and it was introduced by Papa. He explained to me the story and taught me about integrity, loyalty, and friendship while we were reading together (I looked at only the picture mostly). Many years later, I might have forgotten the plot, but remembered clearly what a wicked woman Milady was.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

It all began on my seventeenth birthday. Papa used to write me a letter on my birthdays, and few others when I started college and on my 1st day of work. He imparted his wisdoms, everything that he had learned about life and human existence. On these occasions he often wrote about hope and positive thinking, quoting passages from Anne Frank. Later on he encouraged me to finally read the book, but its value had reached me long before. I always believe that my relatively smooth journey to adulthood was partly due to these letters from Papa, besides, of course, my parents' loving care.

Winnetou by Karl May

This is perhaps a less known series you'd probably never read or even heard of. It's about deep friendship between a German-American frontiersman and a Native American called Winnetou, chief of Apache tribe. Winnetou is one of Papa’s favorites, and which for years he had had persuaded me to read. At first I thought West World, horses, cowboy, and Indian was too masculine for me, but once I tried, I couldn’t put it down. From Winnetou I learned about true friendship between two different races, and of course, the injustice done by the stronger race against the weaker one.

Agatha Christie's mystery books

My first encounter with Agatha Christie's book was at the school library, and I found it too dark. Upon my reading it at home, Papa suggested I tried And Then There Were None, which he thought I might like better. I did like it, in fact I was addicted to Christie's to this day. I remember Papa used to bring Mama and me to the bookstore every month. He let me choose one Agatha Christie to buy, and what a tremendous joy those moments were when I spend a long time in front of the Agatha Christie shelf to pick just one I'd like to read (I wanted all! 😛). On certain occasions, Papa let me pick two, and how I left the store the happiest girl in the world!


I am forever grateful to my dearest Papa for everything he did to make me the person I am today, both as an avid reader, and a human being. He was a wonderful man and remarkable father. I will always love you, Papa!

Next Six Books Saturday: 28th October 2023.

 

The Unfinished Clue (1934) by Georgette Heyer

💃🏻 Sir Arthur Billington-Smith is the type of person who attracts murder. He's a bully, unpleasant man, who treated his family horribly, and made everyone miserable. Thus, it is clear from the beginning who the victim would be.

💃🏻 Sir Arthur and Lady Fay Billington-Smith is receiving guests for the weekend in their countryside house. Dinah Fawcet, Fay's sister, is staying to support her sister. She's an intelligent, efficient, no-nonsense girl. Also staying as guests: Camilla Halliday, who is flirting with her host, with her jealous husband Basil; Sir Arthur's hard-up nephew: Francis Billington-Smith; and Stephen Guest, a family friend who's in love with Fay Billington-Smith and wants to marry her. Last but definitely not least: Sir Arthur's rebellious son Geoffrey, who's causing upheaval at her father's house by bringing home with him his new fianceé, an insolent selfish cabaret dancer named Lola de Silva.

💃🏻 Sir Arthur was found dead in his study, stabbed on the neck, with only a piece of paper, with unfinished word or sentence written before death took him, as the clue. Excepting Dinah Fawcet, who had neither opportunity nor strong motive to kill him, all the others are suspects. Is it an insider's job? Or one of the servants or other non-staying guests? Whoever it was, the local police were in a difficult position to handle the case, so they call in the Scotland Yard.

💃🏻 Inspector Harding is the epitome of a perfect crime detective. Educated in Oxford, and gentlemanly in his manner, he skillfully deals with the people concerned. He's a charming man too. Had Heyer written a series of Inspector Harding, he would be my favorite detective. Unfortunately, this is a standalone book, and Harding himself uttered a wish to leave Yard and become a farmer in the final chapter. While performing his investigation diligently, he still has time to court the admirable Dinah Fawcet, who reciprocates his affection. What I loved from him most, is his ability in deduction and extracting information from suspects, and his professional authority when he's on duty, which always commanding respect instead of fear.

💃🏻 All in all, this was a perfect Golden Age detective story. A charming detective, a wonderful plot with surprising twist, a proportionate writing with decent pace, a tinge of efficient romance, pleasant and believable characters, set in an English countryside. What more could you expect? Well, more books, actually...! But as we won’t have it, at least this one has been a very wholesome read.

Rating: 5 / 5

This book counts for: British Crime Classics Challenge 2023

For Bingo Card: Death by Stabbing

Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie: A Re-read from Audiobook

🐷 I have read almost all – if not all - Agatha Christie's crime novels, yet, still could never accurately predict the murderer before the dénouement. Oh, I guessed them quite often, I did. Yet, I have never been completely sure. You know how it is, if not a couple of red-herrings that make you doubt yourself, then the idea is too absurd - like in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, for instance. When I got to several last chapters of Five Little Pigs, I saw a loophole, and knew instantly the murderer. It was a 'eureka' moment for me. I got to the dénouement excitingly; have I predicted the whodunnit correctly this time? Alas, no! Agatha Christie did it again.

🐷 A young girl called Clara Lemarchant hired Poirot to investigate a murder of her father, sixteen years ago. Her mother, Caroline Crale, was found guilty of poisoning him. Carla never doubts that her mother was innocent, but now that she's engaged to be married, Carla and her fiancé needs to know the truth.

🐷 Investigating a murder that happened in the past has its difficulty - the detective can't see the crime scene, or looking for clues. But these things never hamper Hercule Poirot - his investigation method is more on the psychological side, besides on the facts. For this case, he interviews people who was involved in the case: the police, the solicitor, the doctor. But most importantly, he visits five people who were present at the crime scene: Philip Blake (close friend of the victim - a painter called Amyas Crale), Meredith Blake (amateur chemist, Philip's brother, in love with Caroline Crale), Elsa Greer (young girl, Amyas's model, wanting to marry him), Angela Warren (Caroline's half-sister), and Cecilia Williams (Angela's governess). These five are Poirot's suspects, whom he dubs as 'five little pigs', following a nursery rhyme.

🐷 These interviews and, later on, five written "views" from each suspect's perspective on the event, help Poirot to see the truth, which had eluded the police sixteen years ago. His success was due to his ability to analyze psychological condition of all the suspects, but particularly of Caroline.

🐷 At first, it seemed like a simple case. Amyas must have angered someone, and the person saw an opportunity, and put something into his drink. But Poirot shows us that it wasn't that simple. The solution was smart, and Christie had actually put a hint in the previous chapter, if only I've read more thoroughly. Just one word that I have thought incorrect before, proved to be the key. I would have to be careful to mince every word and sentence on my next Christie read – she’s such a skillful words-weaver!

🐷 This mystery isn't like any regular Golden Age detective stories, which depend on clues and alibis. It's all about psychology. Another masterpiece from Christie, and I don't understand why it wasn't as famous as, say... Murder on the Orient Express, which I found 'meh'. I have completed this book by listening to the audiobook version, narrated, as with most of Christie’s audiobooks, by Hugh Fraser.

Rating: 5 / 5

This book counts for: British Crime Classics Challenge 2023

For Bingo Card: Death by Poison

For Monthly Theme: Books by Agatha Christie

#MurderEveryMonday: Cover with a Poison On

 
Murder Every Monday was created by Kate @ Crossexamining Crime and @ArmchairSleuth. Put simply, the plan is for readers to take a photo of a crime fiction book (novel or short story collection) which meets a given week’s theme criteria and to then share it online, using the hashtag #MurderEveryMonday.

This week's theme is:

Cover with a poison on

Here's a random selection of covers with poison on, either in the image or in the title.

Have your read any of them? Which cover(s) do you like most?

If you want to participate, here's the list of the weekly theme.