An Outcast of the Islands

by Joseph Conrad
An Outcast of the Islands cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 6763
  • Added: 2025-11-30
  • Updated: 2025-11-30
  • ISBN: 9783387001389
  • Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
  • Published: 2023-08-25
  • Reviews: 3

An Outcast of the Islands is a compelling narrative that explores the life of Peter Willems, a man who finds himself adrift in the treacherous waters of colonial society. Set against the backdrop of the lush and dangerous Malay Archipelago, the story delves into themes of betrayal, redemption, and the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion. The novel is a vivid portrayal of the era, capturing the essence of the time and place with meticulous detail. /n/n The publishing house Megali specializes in reproducing historical works in large print, making this classic accessible to readers with impaired vision. This edition ensures that the rich prose and intricate storytelling of Joseph Conrad are preserved, allowing a wider audience to appreciate the timeless themes and masterful storytelling that have made this novel a staple of literary fiction.

Reviews
Johns Hopkins University Press · GWS Brodsky · 2017-01-01
probing 4.20

The text is a documented story of Conrad's professional and personal dependency, offering a more daringly experimental presentation of psychology. It is a subtle and probing exploration of the human condition.

GWS Brodsky delves into the personal and professional aspects of Conrad's life that influenced the creation of this novel. They highlight the experimental nature of the text, particularly in its presentation of psychology, which they find to be more daring than Conrad's previous works. Brodsky appreciates the subtle and probing exploration of the human condition, noting the depth and complexity of the characters. They see the novel as a significant contribution to Conrad's body of work, offering insights into his personal struggles and artistic evolution. The reviewer finds the novel to be a profound and thought-provoking exploration of human nature, with a particular focus on the psychological and emotional landscapes of the characters.

Quick quotes

    More daringly experimental than Almayer's Folly in its presentation of psychology.

    A subtly probing exploration of the human condition.

    The documented story of Conrad's intimately professional and personal dependency.

Triumph of the Now · 2013-08-21
profound 3.50

The novel's exploration of human nature is both profound and unsettling, with Conrad's portrayal of greed and madness standing out. The lack of female characters is a notable omission, however.

In this review, the focus is on Conrad's deep dive into the human psyche, particularly the themes of greed and madness that permeate the narrative. The reviewer appreciates the raw, unfiltered emotions of the characters, which make the story both compelling and disturbing. However, they also note the absence of female characters, which leaves a significant gap in the story's representation. The reviewer finds the novel's setting and atmosphere to be particularly evocative, drawing readers into the merciless heat of the islands and the moral quagmire of the characters' lives. Overall, it's a powerful exploration of human nature, though not without its limitations.

Quick quotes

    Conrad has every male character hating Willems with every inch of his being.

    The only women the reader meets are both...

    The novel's exploration of human nature is both profound and unsettling.

AstroFella WordPress · 2012-09-08
impactful 3.80

The novel's central narrative is aesthetically impactful, but the raw emotions of the protagonists can feel overwrought. Conrad's writing style is both intricate and immersive.

This reviewer highlights the aesthetic impact of the novel's central narrative, praising Conrad's ability to draw readers into the story. They appreciate the intricate writing style and the immersive atmosphere that Conrad creates. However, they also note that the raw, unmediated emotions of the protagonists can sometimes feel overwrought, detracting from the overall impact. The reviewer finds the novel to be a compelling exploration of human nature, with a particular focus on the psychological depth of the characters. Despite some flaws, they consider it a significant work in Conrad's oeuvre, worthy of careful reading and reflection.

Quick quotes

    It makes the central narrative all the more aesthetically impactful.

    The raw, unmediated emotions of the overwrought protagonists...

    Conrad's writing style is both intricate and immersive.

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