Nostromo

by Joseph Conrad
Nostromo cover
Good Books rating 3.31
Historical Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 6531
  • Added: 2025-11-20
  • Updated: 2025-11-30
  • ISBN: 9781108880718
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • Published: 2023-06-29
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

Nostromo is widely regarded as Joseph Conrad's modernist masterpiece, a novel that intricately weaves together the political and economic upheavals of a fictional South American country under the growing influence of the United States. It stands as an enduring portrait of global economics and politics during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This comprehensive critical edition offers an introduction that clarifies the novel's origins and sources, while detailed explanatory notes elucidate literary and historical references. An accompanying essay outlines the history of the novel's composition and publication, highlighting the interventions made by Conrad's editors. The edition also includes appendices of Conrad's source material, glossaries of nautical and foreign terms, a map, and reproductions of early drafts, presenting the novel in a form more authoritative than any previous version. /n/nBy returning to and respecting Conrad's original manuscript and typescript forms, this edition provides readers with a deeper understanding of the novel's creation and its enduring significance. It is a must-read for those interested in the intersection of literature, history, and politics, offering a rich and nuanced exploration of the themes that continue to resonate today.

Reviews
Reddit - Recommended Books · 2025-11-30
boring 1.00

The reviewer finds Nostromo to be an amazingly boring book, criticizing Conrad's style of telling rather than showing. They also note that nothing significant happens in the novel.

The reviewer criticizes Nostromo for being an amazingly boring book, highlighting Conrad's style of telling rather than showing as a major flaw. They find the novel to be slow-paced and lacking in significant events, which makes it difficult to engage with. The reviewer also notes that the novel's complex narrative structure and shifting perspectives can be confusing and off-putting. Overall, they find Nostromo to be a disappointing read, despite its reputation as a classic.

Quick quotes

    Nostromo is an amazingly boring book.

    Conrad takes the art of telling not showing to levels never seen before.

    Combined with nothing happening in the novel, it's a tough read.

The TLS · Juliette Bretan · 2024-05-10
compelling 4.00

The novel's intricate plot and shifting perspectives are challenging but rewarding. The character of Nostromo is compelling, though his fate is tragic.

Juliette Bretan from The TLS dives into the complex world of Nostromo, noting that Joseph Conrad's intricate plot and shifting perspectives make the novel a challenging but deeply rewarding read. She highlights the character of Nostromo as particularly compelling, with his tragic fate adding a layer of depth to the story. The review suggests that while the novel may be difficult to follow at times, its rich narrative and character development make it a standout work in Conrad's oeuvre.

Quick quotes

    Ultimately he is shot after being mistaken for a trespasser.

    In a way Nostromo's rambling opening vista is typical Conrad.

    The novel is a gripping tale of capitalist exploitation and rebellion.

FictionFan's Book Reviews · FictionFan · 2020-09-07
intriguing 3.75

Nostromo is an intriguing character, though somewhat caricatured. The novel's dramatic storytelling and richly detailed setting are notable.

FictionFan from FictionFan's Book Reviews finds Nostromo to be an intriguing character, although they note that he is somewhat caricatured and not entirely believable. Despite this, they praise the novel's dramatic storytelling and the richly detailed subtropical landscape that Conrad creates. The review suggests that while the character of Nostromo may not be perfectly realized, the novel's overall narrative and setting make it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Nostromo is an intriguing character, although I found he was a little too caricatured to ring wholly true.

    Italian, he too is an incomer, but he is a man of the sea.

    The novel's dramatic storytelling and richly detailed setting are notable.

Mostly About Stories · 2019-09-30
magnificent 4.50

The novel is a magnificent and great work, chronicling several years in the history of a fictional South American country.

The reviewer from Mostly About Stories praises Nostromo as a magnificent and great novel, highlighting its intricate storytelling and the rich historical context it provides. They note that the novel chronicles several years in the history of a fictional South American country, offering a deep and nuanced exploration of its characters and their struggles. The review suggests that the novel's complexity and depth make it a standout work in Conrad's literary canon.

Quick quotes

    I've just finished Joseph Conrad's Nostromo, a magnificent and great novel if ever there was one.

    It chronicles several years in the history of a fictional South American country.

    The novel is a deep and nuanced exploration of its characters and their struggles.

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