Heart of Darkness and the Secret Sharer

by Joseph Conrad

Overview

Two books in one. Loosely based on an experience in Joseph Conrad's life, Heart of Darkness tells the story of one man's journey into darkest Africa--and the darkness of the human heart. Both thoughtful and compelling, Heart of Darkness takes measure of "the thin line between civilization and barbarity." The Secret Sharer, likewise based on an actual accident at sea, is an exciting adventure tale that reveals truths about human nature on several levels. Albert J. Guerard of Stanford University wrote that these two stories are "among the finest of Conrad's short novels, and among the half-dozen greatest short novels in the English language." And Virginia Woolf wrote of Conrad, "His books are full of moments of vision. They light up a whole character in a flash. . . . He could not write badly, one feels, to save his life."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781627300179
Publisher:	Stonewell Press
Publication date:	10/19/2013
Pages:	148
Sales rank:	1,020,606
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.34(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was born in Ukraine. In 1861 his family was exiled to Northern Russia because of his father's political activities. Then in 1969, both of Conrad's parents died of tuberculosis, so he moved to Switzerland to live with his uncle. Conrad attended school in Kraków, but he dreamed of the sea, and in the 1870s he joined the French merchant marines. While working on a ship, Conrad made voyages to the West Indies and was even involved in arms smuggling. Eventually Conrad joined the British merchant navy and swiftly climbed the ranks. By 1886 he was commanding his own ship and was given British citizenship. It was at this time that he officially changed his name to Joseph Conrad. In 1894, at the age of 36, Conrad finally left the sea behind him, settled down in England, and began to write his famous stories.

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