Biographical Novel About Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace is Released

Author Avi Sirlin and Aurora Metro Press are pleased to announce that their historical biographical novel, "The Evolutionist" is receiving rave reviews. The Historical Novel Society says the book is "Brimful of factual details... This novel will appeal to any reader interested in... the lives of the intrepid Victorian specimen hunters."

"The Evolutionist" tells the story of one of Britain's most controversial and misunderstood Victorians, a man Sir David Attenborough called "the most admirable character in the history of science" Alfred Russel Wallace. In 1858, Wallace earned equal credit with Charles Darwin for the discovery of our modern theory of evolution. But in an era that pitted science against faith, Wallace boldly declared his belief in both thus clashing headlong with London's scientific elite, including Darwin. More than 150 years later, Wallace has become the forgotten father of evolution.

Book Description/Blurb:
1858. The Malay Archipelago. In these remote tropics, a young British naturalist, Alfred Wallace, toils in obscurity. He collects specimens-beetles, moths, ants and birds-that sell for pennies apiece in England. He also investigates ideas that perplex the world's leading scientific minds, an elite community that spurns him as a mere interloper.

One night in his isolated jungle hut, suffering from fever and hallucination, Wallace solves the greatest mystery of the era: the origin of species. To circulate his discovery, he contacts a distant acquaintance-Charles Darwin. Unbeknownst to Wallace, Darwin has been secretly penning a near-identical version of the same evolutionary theory for twenty years. Wallace's fateful decision to confide in Darwin forges a unique bond between the two men. Darwin achieves world-renown and Wallace earns, if nothing else, widespread grudging respect. But then Wallace returns to England and takes up with the spiritualist movement sweeping the nation. Devotion to spiritualism launches Wallace into a headlong clash not only with London's scientific establishment, but the man at its very center, Darwin.

From oppressive jungle to mid-Victorian London, The Evolutionist tells of one man's determination to seek out his own truth. It is a story of perseverance and inspiration, science and faith, and ultimately, it is about the resilience of the human heart.

"The Evolutionist" is available in both print and ebook formats.

Praise for "The Evolutionist":

A strongly impressionistic portrait of an undeservedly little-known scientist, The Evolutionist is a raptly compelling read." - Midwest Book Review

"Sirlin weaves fact and fiction into an enthralling account... " - Natalie Heng, The Star (Malaysia)

"...If you've ever heard the theory of natural selection explained and thought, "Why didn't I think of that?" then read this book and find out why. It took far more than just thinking about it; it took a lifetime of hardship and adventure." - David Jones, author "North American Wildlife"

"A wide audience beyond the scientifically curious will find this an easy read and come away with a richer understanding of the rigours of early scientific research - both in the field and in the halls of established theory." - Professor Gene J. Parola, author "The Devil to Pay"

"The Evolutionist is a triumph of biographical fiction, an utterly convincing character study of one of the most poignant figures in the history of science." - Nowick Gray, author of "Hunter's Daughter"

"An exciting adventure story well told." - Peter Hobson, Shiny New Books

Listen to a short (10 minute) interview with Avi on CBC Radio: https://soundcloud.com/cbcvictoria/writer-avi-sirlin-on-the-evolutionist-the-strange-tale-of-alfred-russel-wallace

Book Details:
"The Evolutionist"
By Avi Sirlin
Publisher: Aurora Metro Press
Published: November 2014
ISBN: 978-1906582531
ASIN: B00P8BNG48
Pages: 334
Genre: Historical Fiction; Biographical Novel

About The Author:
Avi Sirlin holds degrees in biology and law. For more than 15 years, he operated a law practice in downtown Toronto, with an emphasis on immigration, refugee and criminal law. He closed his practice in order to focus more on writing. Avi currently lives in Victoria, British Columbia. The Evolutionist is his first published novel.

For review copies, author interviews, or more information please contact:

Avi Sirlin
Email: ajsirlin (at) gmail.com
Website: http://www.avisirlin.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AviSirlin