The New Man in My Life

Yes, I have a new man in my life and his name is Georges Léopold Chrétien Frédéric Dagobert Cuvier. My husband need not be jealous since he died in 1832, but it seems I can't get away from Cuvier lately. I just finished reading The Coral Thief by Rebecca Stott which is a historical novel set during the time of Napolean's exile--highly recommended by the way. The book is about a young man who travels to Paris to work in a coveted research position under his idol Cuvier. Cuvier is a world renowned naturalist who was director of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, which features prominently in the book. While I was still in the process of reading The Coral Thief, I was at work reading Publisher's Weekly magazine, and came across a review of a book about Sarah Baartman, known as the Hottentot Venus. Cuvier's name appears because he visited Sarah, along with other naturalists, for purposes of scientific paintings (the whole story is quite disturbing). Driving home from work a few days later Cuvier's name came up during a story on NPR. I am still waiting to read Tracy Chevalier's new book Remarkable Creatures, in which I will once again be reunited with Cuvier. I'm not sure how long I can keep up this relationship, but he is a fascinating person.