Mr Darwin's Shooter - Roger McDonald

I really wanted to enjoy this historical novel, reading it as I was on Darwin's 200th birthday and the nominal subject - the clash of rationalism and faith - being one of my pet topics. Sadly, I found both the story and language irritatingly overelaborate and a barrier to my understanding and enjoyment of the author's thesis. On the positive side, there was some fascinating period detail and the central character is a convincing and compelling creation.