Dr Huxley's Bequest

praise for michelle cooper’s books:

‘Absorbing, compelling and unforgettable.’ Kirkus Reviews, starred review

‘Fascinating and thoroughly engrossing.’ Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

‘Beautifully observed and fascinating in its political and historical detail.’ 2011 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards Shortlist

‘This meticulously researched book presents another great work from a stellar voice in historical fiction for young adults.’ 2011 Kids’ Indie Next List

‘Cooper’s engagement of politics and her quick, inventive wit give the book its own captivating originality.’ The Horn Book Magazine

‘A fascinating series that should be in every library.’ Read Plus

‘Historical fiction at its most engaging … highly recommended.’ Magpies

‘Cooper’s books are a great example of what YA fiction should be – as challenging and informative as they are entertaining.’ Wordcandy

Michelle Cooper is the author of 'The Rage of Sheep' and 'The Montmaray Journals' trilogy. The first Montmaray novel, 'A Brief History of Montmaray', won a NSW Premier's Literary Award and was listed in the American Library Association's 2010 Best Books for Young Adults. Its sequel, 'The FitzOsbornes in Exile', was shortlisted for the NSW and WA Premier's Literary Awards, named a Children's Book Council of Australia Notable Book and listed in Kirkus Reviews' Best Teen Books of 2011. The final book in the series, 'The FitzOsbornes at War', received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews, Booklist and The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and was listed in Kirkus Reviews' Best Teen Books of 2012. Michelle has a science degree, worked as a speech pathologist for many years and is now a hospital administrator.

Visit www.michellecooper-writer.com for more information about Michelle and her books, including teaching resources.

Chapter One

Afterwards, Rosy always blamed the turtle...

Chapter Two

‘I’m convinced that a controlled disrespect for authority is essential to a scientist.’

Chapter Three

‘I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.’

Chapter Four

‘The scientific mind does not so much provide the right answers as ask the right questions.’

Chapter Five

‘The deepest sin against the human mind is to believe things without evidence.’

Chapter Six

‘Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine …’

Chapter Seven

‘Good science and good art both require imagination.’



Chapter Eight

‘Science is nothing but trained and organised common sense.’

Chapter Nine

‘Chance favours only the prepared mind.’

Chapter Ten

‘Science moves, but slowly, slowly …’

Chapter Eleven

‘Science is much more than a body of knowledge. It is a way of thinking.’

Chapter Twelve

‘… now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic.’

Chapter Thirteen

‘Cured yesterday of my disease, I died last night of my physician.’

Chapter Fourteen

‘What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not been discovered.’

Chapter Fifteen

‘In science, the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs.’

Chapter Sixteen

‘It is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.’



Chapter Seventeen

‘Mystics exult in mystery and want it to stay mysterious. Scientists exult in mystery for a different reason: it gives them something to do.’

Chapter Eighteen

‘We’ve never had a woman in the laboratory before, and we think you’d be a distracting influence.’

Chapter Nineteen

‘It is a good morning exercise for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast.’

Chapter Twenty

‘Did science promise happiness? I don’t think so. It promised tru...