In 'Victory,' Joseph Conrad explores the turbulent journey of Axel Heyst, a solitary figure drawn into a web of intrigue on a remote island. When he encounters the enigmatic Lena, a woman fleeing from a dark past, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. As They face off against sinister pirates, the depths of human ambition and moral conflict are laid bare. Conrad's masterful prose and vivid imagery create an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue. Will Heyst's quest for redemption lead him to triumph or doom?
By Joseph Conrad
Published: 1998
""The conquest of our own selves is the greatest victory of all.""
Joseph Conrad possessed a matchless gift for embodying life as it is lived under extreme physical and psychological pressure. Victory, his last masterpiece, tells the story of Axel Heyst, a radically isolated, philosophically minded soul living apart on a remote Pacific island, who performs two acts of instinctive kindness and thereby embroils himself in storms of greed and vengeance, and of love and mercy. When Heyst impulsively rescues a young English musician, Lena, from the predations of a lascivious hotel owner named Schomberg, he cannot know that she will be the means of releasing him from the emotional detachment with which he has long barricaded himself. Their affair does not last long, however, once the enraged Schomberg sends agents of revenge to invade Heyst’s island retreat. Out of the maelstrom of violence and tragedy that ensues, Conrad produces a profound, unflinching meditation on human connection and redemption.
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“"The conquest of our own selves is the greatest victory of all."”
Victory
By Joseph Conrad
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a Polish-born British author renowned for his complex narratives and deep psychological insight. His notable works include 'Heart of Darkness', 'Lord Jim', and 'Nostromo', each reflecting his fascination with imperialism, moral ambiguity, and human nature. Conrad's writing style is characterized by rich prose, intricate character development, and an innovative narrative structure, often employing unreliable narrators and exploring the darkness within the human soul. His experiences as a sailor greatly influenced his literature, making him a key figure in modernist literature.
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