Lord Jim

by Joseph Conrad
Lord Jim cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Adventure
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Paperback • £4.99–£9.99 Hardback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 6530
  • Added: 2025-11-20
  • Updated: 2026-01-06
  • Published: 1943-01-01
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 4

Lord Jim follows the life of Jim, a young British sailor who, in a moment of cowardice, deserts his ship and its passengers during a crisis. The novel delves into Jim's struggle with his conscience and his quest for redemption, as he navigates through various adventures and encounters in the East. /n/nConrad's masterpiece is not just an adventure story but a profound exploration of human nature, morality, and the search for identity. The narrative style is rich and complex, reflecting the inner turmoil of its protagonist.

Reviews
literaryreview.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-12-16
captivating 4.00

The reviewer praises Joseph Conrad's 'Lord Jim' for its profound psychological study and vivid descriptions of life at sea, though they find the extensive analysis of the protagonist's psyche somewhat exhausting. The book is celebrated for its literary quality and atmospheric charm, despite its lack of a definitive conclusion.

Joseph Conrad's 'Lord Jim' is a captivating tale that transcends the typical romance of the sea. The reviewer highlights the book's profound psychological exploration of its protagonist, Jim, a young man filled with adventurous spirit who faces a moment of cowardice that haunts him. Conrad's method of narrating the story through an observer's perspective adds depth, though the reviewer feels the extensive analysis of Jim's psyche can be wearying. The book's strength lies in its rich descriptions and atmospheric charm, which are evident on every page. However, the reviewer notes that Conrad's focus on literary perfection sometimes sacrifices simplicity and directness. Despite this, 'Lord Jim' is received with gratitude and joy for its rare literary quality, offering a sense of distinction to its readers. The reviewer appreciates the book's depth and beauty but wishes for a more straightforward resolution to Jim's complex situation.

Quick quotes

    The magic monotony of existence between sky and water

    Here Mr. Conrad begins his study of a soul.

    As it stands, however, a book of the rare literary quality of 'Lord Jim' is something to receive with gratitude and joy, and with a sense of a distinction conferred upon the readers of romance.

beta.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-12-13
great 4.00

Lord Jim is a complex and human story told in a complex and human way. The novel is slow and verbose, but ultimately enjoyable, reminding the reader that all stories are interpretations, even memories.

Lord Jim is a novel that tells a complex, human story in a complex, human way. The narrative is slow and verbose, but it ultimately proves to be enjoyable. The story is told through a series of sub-stories and hearsay, which adds to the ambivalence and uncertainty of the events. Jim, the protagonist, is an unlikely hero who is often ineloquent and full of self-doubt. Despite his flaws, the reader can't help but feel for him as he navigates the slings and arrows of life. The novel reminds the reader that all stories are interpretations, even memories, and this adds a layer of depth to the story. In the end, the novel is a great read that will stay with the reader long after they've finished it.

Quick quotes

    The novel has many similarities to Heart of Darkness — mainly that is narrated (mostly) by the character Marlow.

    The story is constantly related in a series of sub-stories regarding the other characters from whom Marlow has learned Jim’s story.

    So, although it’s slow and verbose (though ultimately not too long), Lord Jim is a great book.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-11-21
thought-provoking 4.00

Lord Jim is a complex novel that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the human condition. The protagonist's journey is both compelling and flawed, making for a thought-provoking read.

Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad is a novel that delves deep into the psyche of its protagonist, Jim. The story is set against the backdrop of the British colonial era and follows Jim's journey from a young man seeking adventure to a man haunted by his past mistakes. The novel is rich in symbolism and philosophical musings, making it a challenging but rewarding read. The character of Jim is complex and flawed, which makes his journey both compelling and frustrating. The novel's exploration of themes such as guilt, redemption, and the human condition is profound and thought-provoking. However, the pacing can be slow at times, and the dense prose may not appeal to all readers. Overall, Lord Jim is a novel that stays with you long after you've finished reading it.

Quick quotes

    The very essence of a romance is uncertainty

    The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it

    He was too honest to cheat and too proud to beg

archive.nytimes.com · Unknown · 2025-11-21
profound 4.50

The reviewer praises Lord Jim as a profound psychological tale, highlighting its exploration of personal drama and the consequences of a momentary lapse in judgment. They appreciate the novel's rich character development and its critique of idealism in the real world.

The reviewer finds Lord Jim to be a deeply psychological novel that delves into the personal drama of its protagonist, Jim. They highlight the novel's ability to capture the complexities of human nature, particularly through Jim's momentary lapse in judgment and the subsequent psychological burden he carries. The reviewer appreciates the rich character development and the way Conrad critiques the idealism of the protagonist in the context of the real world. The novel is seen as a profound exploration of guilt, redemption, and the human condition, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    This has nothing to do with Jim, directly; only he was outwardly so typical of that good, stupid kind we like to feel marching right and left of us in life, of the kind that is not disturbed by the vagaries of intelligence and the perversions of — of nerves, let us say.

    I can easily picture him to myself in the peopled gloom of the cavernous place, with the light of the bulk-lamp falling on a small portion of the bulkhead that had the weight of the ocean on the other side, and the breathing of unconscious sleepers in his ears. I can see him glaring at the iron, startled by the falling rust, overburdened by the knowledge of an imminent death.

    It struck me that it is from such as he that the great army of waifs and strays is recruited, the army that marches down, down into all the gutters of the earth. As soon as he left my room, that ‘bit of shelter,’ he would take his place in the ranks, and begin the journey towards the bottomless pit.

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