The Shadow-Line

by Joseph Conrad

Overview

The Shadow-Line: A Confession is a novella by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1917. It is a psychological and symbolic tale that marks the transition from youth to adulthood, particularly in the context of responsibility and leadership. The story is often seen as semi-autobiographical, drawing on Conrad's own experiences as a young sea captain.

The Shadow-Line is a powerful meditation on the universal theme of crossing the threshold from youth into adulthood. Joseph Conrad masterfully blends adventure, psychological depth, and symbolism to create a story that captures the uncertainty, fear, and eventual triumph that accompanies the assumption of responsibility. The novella is often seen as a reflection of Conrad's own struggles with leadership and duty during his early years as a sea captain.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798890968982
Publisher:	Lushena Books
Publication date:	10/31/2024
Pages:	142
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a Polish-British writer, regarded as one of the greatest novelists in the English language. Though he was not fluent in English until the age of twenty, Conrad mastered the language and was known for his exceptional command of stylistic prose. Inspiring a reoccurring nautical setting, Conrad’s literary work was heavily influenced by his experience as a ship’s apprentice. Conrad’s style and practice of creating anti-heroic protagonists is admired and often imitated by other authors and artists, immortalizing his innovation and genius.

Date of Birth:

December 3, 1857

Date of Death:

August 3, 1924

Place of Birth:

Berdiczew, Podolia, Russia

Place of Death:

Bishopsbourne, Kent, England

Education:

Tutored in Switzerland. Self-taught in classical literature. Attended maritime school in Marseilles, France

Editorial Reviews

At 57, with his son Borys on the Western Front at the start of the Great War, Conrad wrote of another young man embarking on a life-altering adventure, his first command. The youthful but nameless narrator is full of fresh naïveté, and the next three harrowing weeks test every ounce of strength, courage, and humanity the young captain has. Is this Conrad’s letter to his son, encouraging him to face his trials with a manly heart? Possibly. Fred Williams’s mature, gravelly voice carries all the weight of age and experience as surely as if the graying Conrad himself were, years later, telling the tale of his own first command. It is a harrowing but heartwarming story read with the wizened dignity that only an older reader can create. Let’s hear more from Fred Williams. P.E.F. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

OCT/NOV 04 - AudioFile