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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 67 votes)
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67 reviews
July 15,2025
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Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. It made me want to read everything by Conrad.

It's an easy yet dense reading experience. I especially loved "An Outpost of Progress" and "The Nigger of the 'Narcissus'". These, to me, were the darkest stories in the book.

It's amazing how Conrad slowly and subtly illuminated the characters' contradictions between thoughts and actions, their selfishness, and their blindness to their own hypocrisies and lack of awareness of their emotions and motives.

And of course, there's that creepy feeling as the reader, knowing yet wanting to deny, that all of that 'stuff' is inside you too.

I confess too that part of my extreme liking of "An Outpost of Progress" was that it was a story told on 'dry land'. There were no ships, storms, salt water, or excessive seafaring lingo to be found.

All of which I enjoyed in the other stories, but after a few hundred pages of it, well, it was a nice change of pace.

Conrad's writing is truly captivating, and these stories have left a lasting impression on me. I look forward to delving deeper into his works and uncovering more of his literary gems.
July 15,2025
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This collection is composed of three captivating tales - The Nigger of 'The Narcissus', Typhoon, and The Shadow-Line. Each of these stories has the sea as its central theme. Among them, I have a particular fondness for the last story.

The sea is a powerful and mysterious force that has always intrigued humans. In these tales, Conrad masterfully描绘s the beauty and danger of the ocean, as well as the complex emotions and experiences of the characters who sail upon it.

The quote from The Shadow-Line - "And the time, too, goes on—till one perceives ahead a shadow-line warning one that the region of early youth, too, must be left behind." - beautifully captures the sense of change and growth that is a central theme of the story. It reminds us that as we journey through life, we must all face the inevitable passage of time and leave behind the things that once defined us.

Overall, this collection is a must-read for anyone who loves the sea and great literature. Conrad's vivid descriptions and profound insights into the human condition make these stories truly unforgettable.
July 15,2025
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Typhoon and Other Stories was published in 1902, at the very beginning of Joseph Conrad's career. It's important not to confuse it with a collection made around 2006 called Typhoon and Other Tales. That one is good in its own right, but this particular one, at least after its 1918 reprint, had Conrad's Author's Note. In it, he states that the stories appear in the order in which they were written.

The book contains only four stories: Typhoon, Amy Foster, Falk: A Reminiscence, and To-Morrow. Even in 1902, spelling "tomorrow" with a hyphen was a bit old-fashioned. However, Conrad delves into a sort of fairy tale world, full as it is of physical hardships and moral perplexities.

Almost any serious admirer of Conrad will point out that his writing puts the reader in an oppressed mood. This doesn't mean Conrad's tone is oppressive, but he conveys the weight of a situation in a way few writers ever have. Three of these stories deal with courtship, which isn't a theme often associated with this teller of sea tales. He can't be called a feminist, nor can he be called dismissive of women. There isn't a single woman in Conrad's works that the reader can't pity. It's obvious that Conrad thinks the condition of women is unchangeable. However, it's unmistakable that he sees tragedy in their lives. He is truly well worth reading.

July 15,2025
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"Typhoon" is the main act in this book of short stories, which is approximately 75 pages long.


The four pieces, namely "Falk", "Alice Foster", "The Secret Sharer", and "Typhoon" itself, all explore themes such as being The Outsider, superficial judgment and re-evaluation, and survival against difficult odds.


These stories were written close to the turn of the 20th century, and the setting is mostly Conrad's familiar milieu of the sea.


Conrad, although born in Poland in 1857, is regarded as one of the greatest English-language novelists, making these stories a great pleasure to read.


This compilation is a nice addition as it contains a chronology of his life events, a bibliography, a glossary, notes, and a brief note by the author.


"Life, for most of us, is not so much a hard as an exacting taskmaster."


It seems that Conrad's works offer a profound exploration of the human condition and the challenges we face in life.


His vivid descriptions of the sea and the characters' experiences make the stories come alive.


Whether you are a fan of Conrad or simply interested in reading great literature, this book of short stories is definitely worth checking out.


It provides a unique perspective on the themes that are relevant to our lives today.


So, pick up this book and embark on a journey through Conrad's world of adventure and discovery.


You won't be disappointed.


July 15,2025
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I read the title story quite a long time ago, and it mainly sticks in my mind as a mood piece. Conrad reminds us that he not only描绘s the best sunsets in the literary business but also masters all kinds of weather in general. And, of course, he does all this in his third language. It also adheres a little more closely than usual to that somewhat obscure genre that he has so much in common with, but from which posterity's respect has tried its best to lead him out, the thrilling tale of men at sea.

Falk, like Typhoon, is right around the threshold between novella and novel, but feels far more typically Conrad in its framing. An old sailor tells a story of a time when he was stuck in port on the other side of the world. Only within this framework do we hear, at a further remove, the backstory of the eponymous tugboat captain. This figure very much reminded me of a Galaxie 500 song that I never quite liked and helped me figure out why. Unlike Cedric Watts' introduction, I'd rather not give away the plot. Suffice it to say that even before I had the whole explanation, I was imagining Falk being played by Klaus Kinski. I did wonder at times whether the account might be a bit padded, especially when the narrator got carried away with rhapsodizing over the physicality and vitality of Falk and/or his friend's "magnificent lump" of a niece. But there's still a solid piece of work beneath the Robert E Howard-esque thigh-rubbing.

The last two tales, perhaps fortunately, are roughly half as long. Amy Foster might have been based on a Ford Madox Ford original. If nothing else, the sheer tragedy of it makes that seem plausible. It's set on the Kent coast, where a foreigner washes ashore from the wreck of a vessel run by unscrupulous traffickers, only to be met with suspicion. Thank heavens that sort of thing couldn't happen now, right? Finally, there's The Secret Sharer, probably the best-known piece here, but for me the least successful. That may just be because I very seldom get along with stories on the theme of the sinister double, possibly because they so seldom go for the obvious solution of making out. The omission is particularly glaring in this case, where there really was only one bed.
July 15,2025
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To-morrow is a remarkable piece of work.

At the beginning, a typhoon rages, setting a tense and foreboding atmosphere. Then, Captain Hagbeard's madness emerges, which serves as the perfect counterpoint to the typhoon. It is as if the storm outside has found its reflection within the captain's tortured mind.

There are other resonances between the stories as well. Falk's doomed voyage, which veers off course and has life-altering consequences, mirrors Yanko's equally doomed voyage. Yanko's journey leads him to isolation and subsequent death in an obscure English village. These parallel storylines add depth and complexity to the collection, making it feel a lot more than an arbitrary gathering of stories written around the same time.

This volume of writing is truly exceptional. It showcases the author's skill in creating vivid and engaging characters, as well as his ability to weave together multiple storylines in a seamless and thought-provoking way.
July 15,2025
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I initially thought that this particular piece of writing was rather boring. It didn't really seem to be the type of reading material that would appeal to me. I was only reading it because it was assigned for my Literature of the Sea class.

As I began to read, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The language seemed平淡无奇, and the story didn't seem to have much depth or excitement.

However, as I continued to read, I started to notice some interesting details and themes. The author's description of the sea and its power was quite vivid, and I could almost picture the waves crashing against the shore.

Despite my initial reservations, I found that I was gradually becoming more interested in the story. By the end of the reading, I had a newfound appreciation for the literature of the sea and the unique perspectives it can offer.

Overall, while this particular piece may not have been my favorite, it did serve as a valuable learning experience and helped me to expand my understanding of this particular genre of literature.
July 15,2025
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The most vivid description of the storm's threat in literature. But contrary to appearances, it is not the most important here. Conrad, for example, completely omits the ship's exit from the eye of the cyclone. The point here is to show the relativity of moral attitudes. Captain MacWhirr is presented to the reader as a limited, unimaginative and dull person. But in the moment of danger, when he himself didn't even know if he had already been washed into the sea, the captain worries about the carried goods and finally successfully solves the problem. The good wife of the captain remaining in England is only worried that he might one day return home and stop sending her money. She doesn't even want to read his long letters. The attitudes drawn by Conrad remain relevant in every era and reality. Conrad himself is fascinating. He spoke English poorly, so few people were able to understand him, and yet he created the most wonderful maritime literature in this language, which was secondary for him.

July 15,2025
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July 15,2025
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Joseph Conrad is truly remarkable in both his short stories and novels. His works are filled with vivid descriptions and profound insights.

I have a particular fondness for the marine elements in his writings. It seems that these marine-related themes are deeply connected to a significant part of Conrad's own life. When he was working on ships, he must have witnessed and experienced countless adventures and challenges.

These personal experiences undoubtedly influenced his creative output. The detailed accounts of life at sea, the characters he encountered, and the emotions he felt all found their way into his stories.

Conrad's ability to bring the marine world to life on the page is truly impressive. Through his words, we can almost smell the salty air, feel the rocking of the ship, and sense the camaraderie among the sailors.

His short stories, in particular, offer a concise yet powerful exploration of the human condition in the context of the marine environment. They are a testament to his literary genius and his unique perspective on life.

Overall, Joseph Conrad's works, whether in the form of short stories or novels, are a treasure trove of literary excellence. His marine-themed writings are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, inviting us to reflect on our own lives and the world around us.

July 15,2025
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Man and nature have always been engaged in a battle.

In this regard, Conrad is such an outstanding writer. His short story vividly depicts this intense struggle.

He skillfully portrays the complex relationship between man and the natural world, showing how humans try to assert their dominance while nature retaliates in its own ways.

The story is filled with rich details and powerful descriptions that make the reader feel as if they are right in the middle of the battle.

Conrad's ability to bring this theme to life is truly remarkable, and it makes us think deeply about our own relationship with nature.

His work serves as a reminder that we should respect and protect the natural environment, rather than constantly trying to conquer it.

Overall, Conrad's short story is a masterpiece that showcases his talent as a writer and his profound understanding of the complex relationship between man and nature.
July 15,2025
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Typhoon is a work that forcefully reminds me of what a great writer Conrad is.

It makes me yearn deeply to know everything he has written.

This story is filled with humor, exciting action, and memorable characters.

The vivid word pictures Conrad creates are so powerful that they seem to place you right on board the endangered ship, experiencing the full fury of the storm.

Moreover, the elegant satiric wrapping up of the story leaves a lasting impression.

It makes me glad and grateful to have had the opportunity to read this small masterpiece.

Conrad's ability to craft such a captivating and thought-provoking story is truly remarkable.

It makes me eager to explore more of his works and discover the depth and breadth of his literary genius.

Typhoon is not just a story; it is a literary experience that lingers in the mind and heart long after the last page has been turned.

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