Nostromo, a Tale of the Seaboard (Penguin Classics)
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Nostromo, published in 1904, is one of Conrad's finest works. Nostromo -- though one hundred years old -- says as much about today's Latin America as any of the finest recent accounts of that region's turbulent political life. Insistently dramatic in its storytelling, spectacular in its recreation of the subtropical landscape, this picture of an insurrectionary society and the opportunities it provides for moral corruption gleams on every page with its author's dry, undeceived, impeccable intelligence.
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The Broadview Editions series is an effort to represent the ever-changing canon of literature in English by bringing together texts long regarded as classics with valuable, lesser-known literature. Newly type-set and produced on high-quality paper in trade paperback format, the Broadview Editions series is a delight to handle as well as to read.
Each volume includes a full introduction, chronology, bibliography, and explanatory notes along with a variety of documents from the period, giving readers a rich sense of the world from which the work emerged. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Often regarded as Conrad's masterwork, Nostromo is also Conrad's darkest novel, filled with betrayals at all levels and offering little hope for man's redemption. A novel of huge scope and political intrigue, it is also a novel in which no character actually wins. All must accept the ironies which fate has dealt them. Setting the novel in the imaginary South American country of Costaguana, the story centers around a silver mine in the mountains outside of Sulaco, vividly depicting its allure and the price each character pays for its success.
When Charles Gould, returns from England to claim and reopen the rich silver mine he has inherited from his father, he has good intentions--to provide jobs for the peasants and contribute to the economy of the town at the same time that he also profits. Soon, however, he becomes obsessed with wealth and power, and as the political climate gets hotter, he must pay off government officials, bandits, the church, and various armed revolutionaries to be able to work. Each of these groups is vividly depicted as working for its own ends and not for the good of the people, and with their goals focused on the real world, these characters have no self-awareness, nor do they develop it during the novel.
In contrast to these "unrealized" humans, Conrad presents several characters who develop some self-awareness through their experiences. Nostromo, a local legend, is a man of principle who has always kept his word. Martin Decoud, a newspaper man, is a nihilist who has editorialized against the revolution, though he has yet to test himself. Dr. Monygham, captured during a past revolution, broke under torture, and is now seeking absolution by fighting against this revolution. And the good and long-suffering wife of Charles Gould, Dona Emilia, who has lost her husband to his silver mine, now devotes her life to helping others.
When Nostromo agrees to protect a load of silver from revolutionaries by taking it out to sea, he takes Decoud with him, leaving him on an island with the silver when they almost sink. Decoud's reaction to his isolation, and Nostromo's reaction to the treasure that is suddenly "his," provide a dark commentary on idealism and human nature. In the conclusion, which includes a love story that feels tacked on, Conrad's darkest self is revealed, offering little hope of change and even less hope for man's redemption. Rich in atmosphere, vibrant in description, filled with characters representing all walks of life and philosophy, and set in a country where revolution is a way of life, the novel is full of dark portents and bleak political outcomes. Mary Whipple
When Charles Gould, returns from England to claim and reopen the rich silver mine he has inherited from his father, he has good intentions--to provide jobs for the peasants and contribute to the economy of the town at the same time that he also profits. Soon, however, he becomes obsessed with wealth and power, and as the political climate gets hotter, he must pay off government officials, bandits, the church, and various armed revolutionaries to be able to work. Each of these groups is vividly depicted as working for its own ends and not for the good of the people, and with their goals focused on the real world, these characters have no self-awareness, nor do they develop it during the novel.
In contrast to these "unrealized" humans, Conrad presents several characters who develop some self-awareness through their experiences. Nostromo, a local legend, is a man of principle who has always kept his word. Martin Decoud, a newspaper man, is a nihilist who has editorialized against the revolution, though he has yet to test himself. Dr. Monygham, captured during a past revolution, broke under torture, and is now seeking absolution by fighting against this revolution. And the good and long-suffering wife of Charles Gould, Dona Emilia, who has lost her husband to his silver mine, now devotes her life to helping others.
When Nostromo agrees to protect a load of silver from revolutionaries by taking it out to sea, he takes Decoud with him, leaving him on an island with the silver when they almost sink. Decoud's reaction to his isolation, and Nostromo's reaction to the treasure that is suddenly "his," provide a dark commentary on idealism and human nature. In the conclusion, which includes a love story that feels tacked on, Conrad's darkest self is revealed, offering little hope of change and even less hope for man's redemption. Rich in atmosphere, vibrant in description, filled with characters representing all walks of life and philosophy, and set in a country where revolution is a way of life, the novel is full of dark portents and bleak political outcomes. Mary Whipple
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are many ‘classic’ novels that are very over-rated, but this is not one of them. This is a fascinating exploration of greed and obsession set in a fictional South American republic plagued by constant revolutions. 'Nostromo' explores the corrupting influence of the pursuit of material interests and is prescient in its depiction of the U.S.A.'s involvement in the politics of the region. Meticulous in its detail and insightful in its exploration of human motivations and moral weakness, the action flows quickly (for a Conrad novel!) and the many shifts in time and location steadily draw the reader into the bloody history of Costaguana and its long-suffering people. The characterisations are excellent (although the author struggles a little as usual with his female characters)as are the evocative descriptions of the landscape and society, and Conrad's prose style is simply superb. This is a great novel, which will reward the reader's perseverance.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'Nostromo' is one of the finest novels ever written. The array of beautifully illustrated characters display every loathsome and admirable characteristic immaginable; Decoud is pompous, self righteous and detestable, but for his unbending love for Antonia. Gould is enigmatic, strong, calm but ultimately self-centered and consumed by his craving for wealth and success. Nostromo is benevolent, strong, selfless and courageous - but displays vanity in his obsession with being widely known and adored. Sotillo is utterly repulsive, cowardly, brutal and callous.
These characters, along with a whole cast of others, play out their lives, loves and struggles with a backdrop superbly constructed by Conrad. Costaguana is entirely believable and the political climate is not only an accurate depiction of South American states of the time, but an incisive critique of world politics and imperialism.
Conrad captures the world in miniature and does it with a level of skill unmatched by any other author. 'Nostromo' is by no means the easiest read, but once you've ploughed your way through it you'll have a warm glow of satisfaction and be very glad indeed that you invested the time. A classic.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A pity really...
...because I like other works by Conrad. Sadly though, this one beat me. It's not often I give up on a book, but the long-winded, convoluted descriptions and clumsy grammar left me... Read more
Published 2 months ago by HunterDThompson
"A fellow in a thousand"
This book was first bigged up by one or other of the Leavises in the 1930s, and in some ways Conrad hasn't really recovered from this. Read more
Published 8 months ago by schlockhorror
Sublime
Nostromo seems to appear in most of the authoritative lists of the best novels of the twentieth century, so the fact that it's a brilliant, intricate, masterful book is too obvious... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. H. N. Steinberg
Long, unwieldy sentences
Long, unwieldy sentences, peppered with semi-colons, hyphens and commas ..... working out which part of the sentence the sub-ordinate clause refers back to is no mean achievment. Read more
Published 14 months ago by oggy
Latin American saga
A classically absorbing novel of adventure, passion and intrigue. It takes some perseverance to get through the complexities of the revolution, but the emerging drama of Nostromo's... Read more
Published 16 months ago
Magnificent? Give us a break...
Conrad wasn't a native English-speaker, so he deserves great credit for this and other works where he proves mastery of the language. However... Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2009 by Yvonne S. Brotherhood
Excellent Conrad Novel
This is an outstanding epic story from one of the greatest novelists of the twentieth century. The writing is rich and Conrad as always fully succeeds in taking you to another... Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2009 by I. M. Knight
Claimed to be Conrad's masterpiece but, like many of his large works,...
This is, I know, considered by many influential old critics (such as QD Leavis, I think) to be one of the best novels ever, and Conrad's masterpiece. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2007 by Greshon
Wasn't that the space ship in Alien?
Style - 2/5
Plot - 4/5
Readability - 2/5
The first full length novel of JC's that I read. Read more
Plot - 4/5
Readability - 2/5
The first full length novel of JC's that I read. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2006 by James Chester
The Greatest Book ever written
Conrad is renowned for being one of the finest prose writers the world has ever known, with his awareness of politics in personal life and on a world scale greatly outstripping... Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2001 by england1979@hotmail.com
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