Lord Jim

By: Joseph Conrad

Narrated by: Gene Engene

This adventure story of the south seas is one of Conrad's best-known works.

Jim is a young man who has chosen a career with the Merchant Marines. Early on he is tested by the sea and found wanting. His ship founders on the high seas and sinks. Disregarding the passengers, Jim and the rest of the crew manage to escape in lifeboats. The passengers die with the ship. Haunted by his one act of cowardice, Jim wanders from port to port in search of self-respect. He manages to redeem himself and earn the title of Lord Jim in a dangerous and exciting fashion.

Like all of Conrad's stories, it begins a little slow, but as the story unfolds the action builds to an exciting conclusion.

Public Domain (P)2015 Books in Motion

Great, but not the best Conrad

Of the Conrad I have read this has the most story, character development, action, and romantic tone, but it maintains the deep existentialist undercurrent of his other works. This is quite a good book, but is my least favorite of the Conrad I have read. Lord Jim asks existential questions. if we are a product of nature, can we be condemned for our actions? Given our powerful inclination for self justification, can we trust our self image at all? Lord Jim is a less pure example of Conrad's writing than is Heart of Darkness or Nostromo.

I am happy I read this, but would not recommend it as a first Conrad. I recommend reading Heart of Darkness, if you love that, read Lord Jim.

The narration is very good, completely clear, well paced, with strong characterizations.