David Clapham’s novel explores the various botanical pioneers of modern biology from 1922 to the 1970s.
Divided into three largely chronological sections, the book blends real-life characters with invented ones. The narrative opens in 1922, in the outskirts of London, as 14-year-old Len La Cour is hired by Dr. William Bateson, a plant geneticist, to work as a lab assistant at the John Innes Horticultural Institute.
Initially, La Cour spends time with the female staff, who predominate because the genetics field is too poorly funded to attract many men. Eventually, he begins working with the men, including plant photographer/illustrator Herbert Osterstock; handsome womanizer Cyril Darlington, who studies chromosomes; and J.B.S. Haldane, a brilliant genetic researcher attracted to communism.
As the narrative unfolds, readers witness the work of these pioneers; Darlington researches the chromosomes of fruit trees, among other inquiries, La Cour studies using new fixatives for plant cytology, etc.
There are also mundane tensions, such as controversy over who will succeed as the Institute director in the event of retirements or other events, and information of interest more to scientists than fiction fans (e.g., readers learn that botanist A. G. Tansley wrote one of the first psychology books intended for general readers).
Although the book to this point contains dialogue and scene setting, it deals mostly with academic ideas and disclosures. (A lengthy bibliography is included at book’s end.) By contrast, characters in the book’s third part are largely fictional, confronting more common human challenges, such as character Peter Holcot’s relationship with a Muslim woman. The change to a more traditional fictional tone creates a disjointed feeling between this section and the first two parts.
Ultimately, this is an odd offering with an unclear target audience. Those interested in botany might not be seeking a character-driven storyline, while traditional fiction readers aren’t likely to appreciate the copious botanical details. A nonfiction approach to this material might have been more successful.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.