Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #227731 in Books
• Published on: 1999-07-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

From the Publisher
Founded in 1906 by J.M. Dent, the Everyman Library has always tried to make the best books ever written available to the greatest number of people at the lowest possible price. Unique editorial features that help Everyman Paperback Classics stand out from the crowd include: a leading scholar or literary critic's introduction to the text, a biography of the author, a chronology of her or his life and times, a historical selection of criticism, and a concise plot summary. All books published since 1993 have also been completely restyled: all type has been reset, to offer a clarity and ease of reading unique among editions of the classics; a vibrant, full-color cover design now complements these great texts with beautiful contemporary works of art. But the best feature must be Everyman's uniquely low price. Each Everyman title offers these extensive materials at a price that competes with the most inexpensive editions on the market-but Everyman Paperbacks have durable binding, quality paper, and the highest editorial and scholarly standards.

Customer Reviews

Great Insight
Originally published in 1897this book is considered to be the turning point in Conrads career. The book has also been published under the title The Children of the Sea: A Tale of the Forecastle.

This is a very good short novel. It has strong characters, great navel insight and is a study of the character of men. It also has to do with the lives of men in general - the good, the bad, and the indifferent.

In an interesting way it weaves a tale of deceit that becomes a reality. James Jimmy Waits, a west Indian black sailor waits for illness and is waiting for death.

It explores not only the deceits of men, but how man deals with illness and death in confined space. It was an excellent read.

A Great Work of Literature
In my opinion, Nigger of the 'Narcissus' by Joseph Conrad is one of the truly great novels in English. It goes on the list with such works as The Great Gatsby, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Passage to India, and Moby Dick. It is fascinating, gripping, deep, and entertaining. It defies description, analysis, or summary. (Nevertheless Doug Anderson in his review has done a pretty good job, so I won't even try.)

I don't feel competent to write reviews of great literary works, but not everyone may be familiar with Conrad's Nigger of the 'Narcissus' and what a wonderful novel it is. ... I had no expectations about it and was taken completely by surprise. Nigger of the 'Narcissus' is not just another good novel. It is a masterpiece of literature.

Not his best but...
The Nigger of the "Narcissus," though not Conrad's best work, is perhaps the best introduction to his work. Many of the themes he would explore in his subsequent works are addressed in this one; for example the psychological struggle with the incomprehsible and the problem of memory vs. reality. This work also has political overtones: the conservative captain and mates vs. the laboring crew as typified by the loathsome Donkin. It is a psychological tale and though it can probably be read in one sitting, it probably would be most enjoyable being read for the second or third time, as would most of Conrad's works.

Joseph Conrad is not the most straightforward author in the world and, for this reason, many find his works more difficult than they really are. Indeed he is not for everyone. However, one should read his texts closely two or three times before denigrating them, for there is much to be cherished within his oeuvre.