Joseph Conrad: A Biography

Rating:
Summary: Great, if you've read his works.
Review: I bought this book after reading Heart of Darkness, Victory, and the Secret Sharer. I wanted to know more about the man who wrote such haunting fiction. The beginning of this book gives an excellent and riveting account of Conrad's parents and their political exile. After Conrad's mother dies he remains with his father in severe and isolated conditions. A detailed account of Conrad's early life helped me to understand how he wrote what he did. Quite fascinating. Also, he did visit the Congo and had experiences there that give great insight into Heart of Darkness. Including marking people he met that are models for characters in the story. Plus he was a seaman, so we learn how he could write realistically on this subject. And we learn about Conrad's psyche, his strengths and weaknesses. I loved learning about his life, but this bio also goes into some detail about all of Conrad's novels. If you haven't read them you may become lost. If you have read all his works this bio will definitely increase your appreciation and add to your understanding of this great writer.

Rating:
Summary: A good read for conrad fans
Review: There's a lot of detail here about his life, too much, perhaps, but certainly among the great 20th century writers conrad led one of the more interesting lives. I was more interested in a study of his works, what inspired him to write stories like lord jim and the secret agent (incidentally victory, one of conrad's best, overlooked works does get this sort of detailed inspection - but it is the exception) but for the most part meyers speeds through these parts. But if you have an interest in conrad, have read a number of his stories and would like to know more, then I certainly recommend this biography.

Rating:
Summary: A good read for conrad fans
Review: There's a lot of detail here about his life, too much, perhaps, but certainly among the great 20th century writers conrad led one of the more interesting lives. I was more interested in a study of his works, what inspired him to write stories like lord jim and the secret agent (incidentally victory, one of conrad's best, overlooked works does get this sort of detailed inspection - but it is the exception) but for the most part meyers speeds through these parts. But if you have an interest in conrad, have read a number of his stories and would like to know more, then I certainly recommend this biography.