I didn't have a liking for Heart of Darkness. I found it peculiarly insubstantial despite its extremely dense nature. Somehow, based on the fact that I'd never heard of it, I was encouraged to give this a try. It's one of those books that's like Another-Author-Lite yet still manages to have its own distinctiveness. It's Henry James with a touch of Trollope. The heroine's father reminds me of Melmotte in situation, with the same emphasis on the belief in non-existent money generating its own temporary wealth. Conrad and James seem to have the same way of dramatizing almost indefinable moral realities and nuances of character. I often paused to notice how much Conrad was able to make out of little, which might be hard to make sound admiring, but I usually was. I like it when things are given their proper due. James feels very soft to me, while Conrad feels colder and more hard-edged.

The difference is brought about by Marlow, who prides himself on being both cynical and outside the absurdities of everyday life, and, I think, on respecting the things he values more than others. Marlow contributes sexism in one of the ways that irritates me the most: intrusive remarks about the limitations of women. This sort of thing always seems like the author was so full of their tiresome opinions that they simply couldn't keep them to themselves long enough to write a story. In this case, of course, I was only able to take a dislike to Marlow rather than Conrad, as Marlow is, at least nominally, a character rather than an author. I can't say I have a particular fondness for Marlow, but filtering the story through him does give it a particular flavor.

Flora, the heroine of a ruined and disgraced financier, is a bit like a Thomas Hardy heroine to begin with, in the sense that it is her tragic difficultness that makes her strangely alluring, with her white little face and sense of damage and things left unsaid. Conrad is more ironic about it though and doesn't intend to see it through. She's really just a nice girl who's had a hard time. Dependent on menial spare woman type positions gained through the charitable interposition of an earnest couple, the drama of the first part of the story turns on her engagement to the brother of the earnest woman. His intervention in her life is made to represent her salvation, but she can only barely accept it and it is greeted with horror by his sister and brother-in-law. The second part of the story turns on the postponement of the salvation, as Flora and her husband, a captain, are joined on his ship by Flora's ex-convict father.

I didn't enjoy a lot of the bit on the ship with Flora and Anthony and de Barral all almost hypnotized into stasis by each other, or at least de Barral hypnotizing the other two. It clarified what I didn't like about Heart of Darkness; the effect of stagnation. I actually find descriptions of emotional stalemate and apathy viscerally suffocating when the atmosphere is really captured, and Conrad seems to have his own version which almost disappears in nullness. So I was pleased enough, if a little bemused, when this apparently insoluble situation is dissolved very quickly at the end.

I very much enjoyed a lot of the writing and will try something else by Conrad.

An unidentified narrator is sharing a story that has been told to him and Marlow. Marlow then proceeds to fill in the details of the story of Flora de Barral. Flora's life takes a drastic turn when her wealthy and powerful tycoon father is imprisoned, leaving her all alone in the world. It is at this vulnerable time that Captain Anthony comes into her life. He discovers Flora and feels a sense of responsibility towards her. He makes an attempt to save her from the difficult situation she finds herself in. However, this noble act almost has disastrous consequences for both of them. The story unfolds with many twists and turns, as we witness the complex relationship that develops between Flora and Captain Anthony, and the challenges they face along the way.

Αριστούργημα! And what else could it be anyway but a novel by Joseph Conrad? Considerably different from his most famous ones and especially from the widely read "Heart of Darkness", with every page you turn, you feel that you are reading what we are accustomed (rightly) to call "good classic literature".

Conrad's works are known for their profound exploration of human nature, complex characters, and vivid descriptions of various settings. This particular novel is no exception. It takes the reader on a journey through different landscapes and emotions, making them feel as if they are part of the story.

The language used in the novel is rich and beautiful, with Conrad's unique style shining through. His ability to create a sense of atmosphere and tension is truly remarkable. Whether it is the description of a storm at sea or the inner turmoil of a character, Conrad does it with great skill and finesse.

In conclusion, this novel by Joseph Conrad is a must-read for anyone who appreciates good literature. It is a work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, leaving you with a deeper understanding of the human condition and the power of storytelling.

Reluctantly, I had to give up on this book. It's truly a great pity as I am a big fan of Conrad.

However, the ponderous writing style, the confusing narrators, the gossipy nature of the dialogue, and the asides about men's and women's motives in life really left me frustrated regarding the plot line and where the story was headed.

I couldn't even see the relevance of the Second Mate. Maybe he will emerge as the hero of the tale later on, but if not, then there is a lot of unnecessary detail about his background and first appointment.

Many other reviews seem to share this view, but some others find it one of Conrad's best stories because of his profound analysis of the human condition and the fact that he is not just looking at the fatal flaws of a man's life but also at a young woman.

Perhaps I will come back to it in the future. But after reading 115 pages (and even skimming to speed things up), I have unfortunately consigned it to the dustbin of history.

It's a decision I made with a heavy heart, but sometimes a book just doesn't click with us no matter how much we want it to.

A beautifully written account reveals how simple events can give the appearance of fate. This occurs due to the complex interactions of our various social obligations. Consider our professional obligations, which often shape our daily lives and determine our actions. At the same time, our familial obligations pull us in different directions, demanding our time and attention. Amicable relationships also play a role, as we strive to maintain friendships and social connections. Affectionate bonds add another layer of complexity, influencing our decisions and behaviors. Finally, our personal obligations, such as our goals and dreams, further contribute to the web of interactions that can make simple events seem like acts of fate. By examining these different aspects of our social obligations, we can gain a deeper understanding of how seemingly random events can take on a sense of significance and inevitability.

I thoroughly enjoyed this work for its excellent psychological portrayal.

It had just a hint of the thriller element, yet it wasn't overly sensational. It was poignant and brought to my mind the Madoff scandal.

I haven't read any Conrad since high school, so this served as a nice reintroduction. At first, it was a little difficult to follow because of the layers of narration. However, it was definitely worth the effort.

The way the characters' minds were explored and the emotions were depicted made it a truly engaging read.

The story had a certain depth and complexity that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Despite the initial challenges in following the narration, as I delved deeper, I began to appreciate the beauty and intricacy of Conrad's writing.

It was a rewarding experience to rediscover his works and be captivated by his storytelling once again.

'Chance' is divided into two sections, 'Knight' and 'Damsel', and that is essentially what it is. It is a variant on the classic story of the virtuous knight rescuing the damsel from the tower in which she is imprisoned by evil relatives.

The story examines how human affairs are governed in large part by sheer chance instead of planned calculation. But, as well, human will is not free but governed by tradition in expectations of behavior.

Roderick Anthony (the Knight) met Flora de Barral (the Damsel) by chance when he was visiting his sister (Mrs Fyne). Flora was the daughter of a disgraced and imprisoned City banker. Penniless and only in her late teens, she had become dependent on the Fynes who were her former neighbours. Antony, almost 20 years her senior, felt the need for companionship and took on the role of a magnanimous benefactor. He proposed marriage to her and she accepted him as a means of finding security for herself and her father who was about to be released from prison.

Chance engineered their meeting but it was the assumption of the traditional role of the male magnanimous protector that engineered their marriage. This is what I see as the essence of the novel. There is the illusion of control and choice but most human affairs are governed by chance and learned and expected behavior.

We often think we are in control of our lives, making choices that determine our future. However, in 'Chance', we see that many of these choices are influenced by factors beyond our control. The meeting between Roderick and Flora was a result of chance, and their marriage was a result of the traditional roles they were expected to play.

This novel makes us question the true nature of free will and the role of chance in our lives. It shows us that even though we may think we are making our own decisions, we are often influenced by the expectations and traditions of society.

Overall, 'Chance' is a thought-provoking novel that challenges our assumptions about control, choice, and free will. It makes us realize that life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and that we should be prepared to adapt to whatever comes our way.

Beautifully written, this piece is truly a gem.

The author's words flow like a gentle stream, captivating the reader from the very beginning.

The insights shared are profound and thought-provoking, making one reflect on various aspects of life.

However, it must be noted that the pace of the article is a little slow.

At times, it feels as if the author is taking their time to unfold the story or present the ideas, which might cause some readers to lose interest.

Nevertheless, this does not overshadow the overall beauty and quality of the writing.

With a little more editing to pick up the pace, this article could be even more engaging and impactful.

It has the potential to touch the hearts and minds of many, leaving a lasting impression.

Overall, it is a well-written piece that deserves recognition and appreciation.

Conrad's writing style truly aligns with my personal taste.

Is this novel even among the top five of Conrad's works? I would firmly state that it is not. However, the prose within this book is simply magnificent.

I have a deep affection for all the multiple layers of narration it presents (unlike many other users here, it seems).

Moreover, the fact that this novel has, by a wide margin, the happiest ending of any Conrad novel is yet another reason why I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Conrad was indeed an incredibly talented writer. Without a doubt, he is one of my all-time favorite authors.

His works have a unique charm and depth that continue to captivate readers.

This particular novel, despite not being in the top echelon of his works, still manages to showcase his remarkable literary skills and storytelling abilities.

It is a testament to his genius that even in a work that may not be considered his best, there are still so many elements that make it a worthwhile read.

I look forward to exploring more of Conrad's novels in the future and uncovering the hidden gems within each one.

Moreover, generally I don't finish books because I am seized by a kind of mass hysteria. Unfortunately, with Conrant, I can't find a connection point. I don't know what's going on but I feel every time that the story doesn't flow. I feel as if I'm swimming in a clay lake. I couldn't stand to reach the end. I left the last 150 pages because it was impossible for me to find the motivation to continue.

It seems that there is something about this particular book that just doesn't click with me. Maybe it's the writing style, or perhaps the plot isn't engaging enough. Whatever the reason, I find myself constantly struggling to get through it. I keep hoping that something will happen to make me more interested, but so far, that hasn't been the case.

I have to admit that I'm a bit disappointed. I had high expectations for this book, but it just hasn't lived up to them. I guess sometimes you have to accept that not every book is going to be a winner. Maybe I'll come back to it at a later time and give it another try, but for now, I think I need to move on to something else.

Conrad's remarkable ability to explore the human psyche with sober discretion yet in-depth is applied in this novel to the relationships and society of his time in England.

The descriptions of the female gender (as a gender) are particularly interesting and, in my opinion, still very relevant today, although not all of them are entirely acceptable. After all, they come from a distant era (or perhaps not so distant) and from a male perspective. The observation that women have no place in the world even when they work because they do so only to survive, and thus engage in an activity but receive no social recognition of their productivity or professional identity, is spot-on.

However, the plot's construction may be too contrived or at least very visible to the reader's eye, which undermines the credibility of the story. In this regard, the case seems laboriously crafted by the writer rather than described in its surprising and timely unpredictability.

The very romantic or at least idealized passions of the characters are powerful, which are already crystallized in the two parts into which the novel is divided: the maiden - part one; the knight - part two.

The description of the sea as an incorruptible place compared to the incomprehensible, capricious, and traitorous world of land is fascinating.

It is a book that I would ultimately recommend, albeit with the fear of having encouraged a reading that may prove boring or unnecessarily long in some parts.

Conrad's moral imagination is truly unparalleled.

It is only surpassed by that of Henry James, as this book shows some signs of James' influence.

The technical handling of the narrative mechanics in this work is also breathtaking.

The way Conrad weaves the story, builds the characters, and creates the atmosphere is simply masterful.

For anyone who wishes to study or write a novel, there could be no better starting point than this book.

It offers a wealth of lessons in storytelling, character development, and moral exploration.

Conrad's ability to bring the story to life and make the reader feel as if they are part of it is truly remarkable.

Whether you are a seasoned writer or a beginner, this book is sure to inspire and educate.

It is a classic of literature that will continue to be studied and admired for generations to come.