Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard

Joseph Conrad; Veronique Pauly; J. H. Stape

Language: English

Publisher: Penguin Classics

Published: Jan 2, 1947

Description:

From Library Journal

This involved, philosophical novel is not for the casual listener, especially one who is supposed to be concentrating on the road ahead. Writing in 1904, Conrad invented a complex South American country with a turbulent history and a potentially explosive population, ranging from the wealthy gringo running the Sulaco silver mine to the poorest worker loading cargo on the docks. Although the story teems with lively characters, the dazzling figure of Nostromo eclipses them all. A natural leader?brave, handsome, and incorruptible?he naturally becomes the epicenter of the revolution that soon devastates Sulaco. With characteristic eloquence, Conrad has focused on the dramatic action of the revolution to explore challenging themes: capitalism, imperialism, revolution, and social justice. Unfortunately, this audio program, read by Frederick Davidson, is disappointing. Despite fine dramatic characterizations, the narrator's posh British accent is so pronounced that it often detracts from the text. Since Nostromo has also been narrated by Frank Muller (Recorded Books) and Wolfram Kandinsky (Books on TapeR), perhaps this version may not be the best choice.?Jo Carr, Sarasota, Fla.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

`I had always thought that there were books you read to entertain yourself and classic books to educate you, but with Nostromo I realised a book could be both.' Billy Ivory, Nottingham Evening Post

`one of the greatest, if least frequently read, of 20th-century classics ... epic in scope, with its large cast of characters and numerous political upheavals' Times Educational Supplement