I'm typically extremely enthusiastic about Joseph Conrad's psychological sea tales.

However, this particular one, although undoubtedly psychological, was merely a sea tale on the surface and somewhat dull.

Consequently, it's not my favorite, yet it remains the work of an evident master.

Joseph Conrad is renowned for his ability to explore the human psyche through the medium of the sea. His stories often delve deep into the minds of his characters, uncovering their fears, desires, and moral dilemmas.

While this particular tale may not have captured my attention as fully as some of his others, it still showcases his remarkable talent and craftsmanship.

The descriptions of the sea and the characters' experiences are vivid and detailed, painting a picture that is both realistic and engaging.

Despite its flaws, this work is a testament to Conrad's status as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century.

Mediocre Joseph Conrad? That's a bit of a harsh assessment, but perhaps it's only truly recommended for die-hard fans or completists. The story is basically a slow-moving one that explores how chance intervenes in the lives of the main characters and brings about a minor miracle.

In typical Conrad fashion, he employs an awkward narrative device. It's told in the first person, yet we never truly know who "I" is. On top of that, most of the story is narrated by the trusty Marlow (of Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim fame) over the course of an evening, perhaps 12 hours straight. And of course, he knows things that only the protagonist would know, acting as a sort of proxy for third-person omniscient, which is what Conrad should have used from the start. Sometimes Marlow is narrating what another character told him, and this gets rather confusing for no good reason.

However, there are good things. The characters are interesting, although the female protagonist is a little artificial (Conrad does better with strong male characters with a tragic flaw). His descriptions of the psychological underpinnings of every word and action can be quite fun if you're patient. And the culmination of all the plot threads is satisfying.

So, perhaps what I should have said at the outset is this: read Lord Jim or Victory instead.

Preposterous!

It is horribly overwritten.

Ask (at almost any point once the telling of the central story has begun) who is speaking.

Why do we need the story told at 3rd hand?

How could we get the interior observation we get when the story is supposed to be related to us at 3rd hand?

Why do this?

The writing is stiff, ugly and tangled and far too much is used to do far too little.

This was a miserable slog.

I recall enjoying Heart of Darkness. Then I read Lord Jim (which was just awful - similar criticisms about the writing as about Chance) and I hated it. I thought I'd give him a third shot.

Never again.

I feel abused.

Conrad sucks.

The author's writing style in this piece is truly perplexing. The overuse of words and convoluted sentences make it a difficult read. The constant questions raised about the narration and the third-hand telling of the story add to the confusion. The stiffness and ugliness of the writing further detract from the overall experience. It's a pity, as the author had some promise with Heart of Darkness, but this latest offering is a disappointment. It seems that Conrad's writing has lost its charm and appeal for this reader.

This is a really cool Conrad story. It delves into the concept of how luck is in control. I have to admit that I truly liked it. However, just like all of Conrad's works, it required some effort on my part to fully understand and appreciate. But here's the thing, even after 2 years, I can still vividly picture certain parts of it. That really says a lot about the impact and staying power of this story. It makes me think that perhaps there is something deeper and more profound hidden within its pages that I am still uncovering. Maybe it's the way Conrad weaves his words to create such a vivid and engaging world, or maybe it's the complex themes and ideas that he explores. Whatever it is, this Conrad story has definitely left a lasting impression on me.