Lord JimConrad's "Lord Jim" isn't an easy read; the depth of narrative is so great, and so challenging, that it often seemed like an uphill struggle. The author seems to be of the impression that five words will happily take the place of one, and this makes for slow going.
The plot however, is intriguing enough; the protagonist, Jim, suffers from an understandably human attack of cowardice, and the consequences of his actions (and his remorse) impacts on the rest of the plot. Essentially it is a quest of earning redemption for a previous disgrace, but I found that the ending solidified my pessimism, increased by the omission of any personality development for the non-white characters.
While not a novel I'd add to my list of favourites, I remained interested as I travelled to the Hebrides. That said, I did look somewhat more anxiously, up at my ferry after reading of Jim's boat-related disaster in the opening chapters.
I wasn't completely convinced that I understood what Conrad was trying to tell me, yet he put it engagingly enough; and though I felt like an exhausted marathon runner by the end, there was a degree of satisfaction.
I really do second the previous comment - Lord Jim worked for me only as an excellent sedative. I only got to page 40! Such a disappointment as The Secret Agent was ace.
I applaud you for finishing it!
Posted at 21:59 - 24.08.07 by katieh
I am just coming to the end of this book. I must admit that I am a Conrad fan, although it is the first time I have read this book. I have found this book most excellent although I know it isn't to everyone's taste. I think the reason people are put off is because the story is recounted by Marlow; so you have one man telling us what everyone said and did. The thing about this is that you feel that you are sitting talking to Marlow, and having a drink with him whilst he tells you things that he became involved in. This in a way adds an extra dimension to the story which I find makes it compelling reading.
Posted at 17:50 - 24.10.07 by martin
It is a hard read but the underlying message is the same as in A heart of darkness _ which is that under certain circumstances even the best of men can behave in a way deplorable to accepted society. in lord jim he has a chance of redemption and to behave nobly unfortunatly he does in my opinion take it to far to reflect a different societys values being of equal importance.
Posted at 22:16 - 03.12.07 by dougal
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I've never read it, nor do I want to. These reviews are good because they are honest, and this one confirmed my opinion that life is too short to read some classics. I'm glad it was you and not me.
Posted at 23:30 - 23.08.07 by woofsmum