Joseph Conrad
Список книг автора Joseph Conrad
Youth, Heart of Darkness, and The End of the Tether
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) is regarded as one of the greatest novelist in the English language, though he did not speak the language fluently until he was in his twenties. A Polish-born English novelist, Conrad was a master prose stylist who is viewed as a precursor of modernist literature. He wrote stories and novels predominantly with a nautical or seaboard setting that portray trials of the human spirit by the demands of duty and honor. «Youth» was written in 1898 and was included as the first story in the 1902 volume «Youth, a Narrative, and Two Other Stories». It is an autobiographical short story, essentially a quest tale, which tests the youthful Marlow's nerve, strength and patience on his journey to becoming a man. Also included in this volume, «Heart of Darkness» exposes the dark side of European colonization while exploring the levels of darkness that the protagonist, Marlow, encounters. Last in this volume, «The End of the Tether» tells a story of a legally blind captain who must continue to pilot his ship in order to provide for his family.
Under Western Eyes
Joseph Conrad's «Under Western Eyes» is the story of a young Russian student named Razumov who when returning home to St. Petersburg, Russia discovers his friend Victor Haldin, an anarchist who has just committed a political assassination, hiding from the police in his apartment. Victor Haldin calls upon his friend Razumov to help him escape and in so doing puts him in the unenviable position of choosing between his loyalties to his friend or to abiding by the authority of the law in the service of justice.
Victory
I am glad that I am alive, if, for no other reason, because of the joy of reading this book.'—Jack London. First published in 1915, «Victory» follows the character Axel Heyst, a Swede who renounces the world and lives on a remote island in the Malay Archipelago. He is shaken from his self-imposed isolation, however, after a chance encounter with Lena, a young Englishwoman in a touring ladies' orchestra. Axel comes to her aid when she is accosted by a loutish hotel owner. They seek refuge on his island, and Axel begins to see the value of life as a relationship with Lena unfolds. All too soon, however, three men set on revenge for the hotel owner, arrive on the island. The events that follow spiral into a devastating tragedy, and Conrad ultimately compels readers to decide on what constitutes defeat or victory in this characteristically descriptive, powerful narrative.
Typhoon and Other Stories
"Typhoon and Other Stories" is a collection of four shorter works by Joseph Conrad. In the title work «Typhoon» we have a classic tale of the sea which describes how Captain MacWhirr sails the Siamese steamer «Nan-Shan» into a typhoon. «Typhoon» excellently depicts sea-faring life at the turn of the 20th century. Also included in this collection is «Amy Foster», the story of a Polish immigrant who on his way to America becomes shipwrecked off the cost of England. Since he speaks no English, he is treated as a madman and imprisoned by the local Englishmen who find him. In «Amy Foster» Conrad draws upon his Polish heritage to provide a convincing story of the difficulties arising from acclimating oneself to a foreign land. You will also find the stories «Falk: A Reminiscence» and «To-Morrow» in this collection of nautically themed works.
The Secret Agent
"The Secret Agent" is Joseph Conrad's classic novel of espionage and terrorism. It is the story of Mr. Verloc, a spy who is reluctantly pressured by his superiors into an anarchist plot to blow up the Greenwich Observatory. This unspeakable act of terror sets the stage for a gripping political thriller.
The Secret Sharer and Other Stories
All of author Joseph Conrad's works have an air of loneliness and isolation within the plot. This is now thought to be reflective of the author's life as a Polish immigrant living and writing at the height of the British Empire. His prose strikes a chord that resonates deep within the reader, leaving a feeling of immense despondency. Yet with his deep affinity for the melancholy, Conrad was also a highly skilled prose writer. His words allow the reader to become lost in whatever world Conrad created. He wrote at the turn of Romanticism and Modernism, which created a very unique form of writing. Conrad drew inspiration from the Impressionistic painting style; he explored just enough of the light to let the darkness make itself apparent. This can be seen within the works contained in «The Secret Sharer and Other Stories.» «The Secret Sharer» is a maritime story about a captain who takes a murderer under his wing while out at sea. Conrad drew from his own experiences as a long-time sea captain to make the story as real and vivid as possible. «Youth: A Narrative» is an autobiographical short story about a young sailor whose ship sinks while on a voyage to Thailand. «Typhoon» is one of Conrad's novels which also depicts the sea life. The main character, Captain MacWhirr, decides to sail his vessel through a typhoon in the South Pacific, much to the protest of his ship. Yet his bold action earns him the admiration of the rest of his crew. Readers will enjoy the reality of these works, as well as the adventure and drama of the tales.
Almayer's Folly
The first novel of Conrad's impressive list of works, «Almayer's Folly» revolves around the Dutch trader Kaspar Almayer and his life in the Borneo jungles in the late 19th century. Spurred by his desire for riches, he marries the adopted Malayan daughter of Captain Lingard, an affluent man who then requires Almayer to run his trading post in Sambir, in the Borneo jungles. While his chances of inheriting Lingard's wealth have increased, Almayer is now trapped in a loveless marriage. This soon seems a useless commitment, however, for Lingard begins losing his fortune in a futile treasure hunt. Between his failing trading endeavors and the resentful actions of his wife, the one bright aspect of Almayer's life is his daughter Nina, who comes to create a strong conflict of interests for her father. When a Malay prince named Dain arrives in Sambir, Almayer must decide if he cares for money and self-recovery more than his aspirations for his only child. A well-crafted story full of realistic colonialism, harrowing treachery, and maddening isolation, Conrad's novel captures the tragic ambiance unique to the jungles of Borneo just as completely as the psychological struggle of a father full of greed.
Nostromo, A Tale of the Seaboard
Set in the fictitious mining town of Sulaco, a port city in the imaginary country of Costaguana, «Nostromo» is widely considered as one of Joseph Conrad's best works. It is the story of Senõr Gould, an English expatriate who owns the silver-mining concession in the country. When the country becomes engulfed in increasing political turmoil, Senõr Gould charges Nostromo, his trusted head longshoreman, with the duty of hiding his silver so that it does not fall into the hands of his political enemies. «Nostromo» is a classic tale of the power of money, its ability to corrupt and the turmoil that this corruption can create.
Victory
“I am glad that I am alive, if, for no other reason, because of the joy of reading this book.”—Jack London. First published in 1915, “Victory” follows the character Axel Heyst, a Swede who renounces the world and lives on a remote island in the Malay Archipelago. He is shaken from his self-imposed isolation, however, after a chance encounter with Lena, a young Englishwoman in a touring ladies’ orchestra. Axel comes to her aid when she is accosted by a loutish hotel owner. They seek refuge on his island, and Axel begins to see the value of life as a relationship with Lena unfolds. All too soon, however, three men set on revenge for the hotel owner, arrive on the island. The events that follow spiral into a devastating tragedy, and Conrad ultimately compels readers to decide on what constitutes defeat or victory in this characteristically descriptive, powerful narrative. This edition includes a biographical afterword.