I mean, it wasn’t bad but it was kind of boring. Mike Cooper, the narrator, was absolutely pleasant and the shining star of the audiobook.

I knew this wasn’t going to be a riveting tale of mystery but I was expecting a bit more than discussions on discussions. I often found myself drifting in thought and not paying attention.

I’m not religious so hearing what religious leaders had to say made me roll my eyes. I did enjoy the scientists opinions.

So like I said, not bad, but definitely more academic than entertainment. And that’s okay!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy.

I thought this book was very interesting to learn but it was quite hard to follow in audiobook form for me. It's the kind of book I'd prefer to have a physical copy so I can re-read to understand some of the points I might glaze over.

If you love discussion about discussion, this audiobook is for you.

Origin story tells the story of Darwin‘s greatest work and focusses on the main dissertation and discussion of the titular title.

Full of backstory and history leading up to and afterwards, this book had everything you wanted to know about the creation and justification of Darwin’s masterpiece.

Narrator Mike Cooper was a great pairing for this audiobook reading and brought the listener back to this time and space. Personally, I found that it took me a little while to get used to his strong British accent and the listing of words. Once I was comfortable and familiar with his style, I found him to be a very enjoyable voice for this subject matter.

3.5⭐️

Narrator gets 5 stars - the book overall is 3.5 stars rounded up.

If you want the historical context all around Darwin when he published On the Origin of Species this is your book. Darwin’s publication was controversial from the start particularly attacked by devout Christians of one flavor or another. The later third of the book discussed oral discussions and debates which followed the book’s publication - these scenes I expected from the title and found the most interesting. The extensive section on Darwin’s gastrointestinal trouble on the other hand I sped up. Historically accurate and thorough yes - just know you are getting everything about Darwin and everything about all the people around him at this time. I got what I came for and enjoyed learning during sections of this book - I just also happened to get a bunch more which is no one’s fault just my personal experience interacting with this book. That all being said the narrator of the audiobook was good and definitely added to the experience.

Thank you NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

A good bio of Darwin that gets a bit lost in the weeds. I do think it was interesting but wished it was more focused.

Overall this book was very interesting and I learned a lot and Charles Darwin and other important men of science, medicine, and religion in 1800s England. I enjoyed learning and the "Battle of Oxford" and how Darwin's Origin book caused such a rift in the academic community.

While I learned a lot this book did not keep my attention and the name dropping of many different people got confusing.

I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the performance by the narrator.

This book explores the tumultuous two years following the publication of Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking “On the Origin of Species.” It delves into the heated debate that erupted over the theory of evolution, challenging the established scientific and religious order. While the world grappled with Darwin’s ideas, Darwin himself was plagued by a mysterious illnesses. The author, a medical historian, suggests a compelling diagnosis. This captivating narrative unveils the personal struggles behind a scientific revolution that forever changed our understanding of the natural world.

I enjoyed the narration of this fun-to-read book. The drama is built into the story, given how contentious the debate was over Darwin and Wallace’s world-changing theory. At the same time, Darwin experienced tragedy in his personal life and suffered from perennial illness. I suspect the author’s diagnosis is the correct one. Readers with the condition may well recognize the symptoms and be very grateful it can now be simply diagnosed and treated.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Not the story I thought it would be from the description but quite informative nevertheless. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC/Audiobook by a good narrator.