The Nigger of the "Narcissus" —— A Tale of the Sea

A minor classic. Conrad's understanding of sailing and the sea is unsurpassed. Ability with English astonishing as it was his third (or fourth) language. While it is a story of the sea, it is more a story of men and their natures as they relate to the black man aboard ship.

Loved it.

Good

thx ,it was a gift

this is a good book for a sailor like me. ignore the n-word. the book was written in 1897. "... the incarnation of barbarian wisdom, serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world."

excellent book!

Horribke title. Excellent book. A real, "Man against the sea!" story. Other than the title it was not very racist. Highly recommend it.

Just reading this classic and also the literary comments about the story and author

It was really good. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Wonderful description of a gale.

Fabulous

As most reviews of this book here state, the title of this book is unfortunate since it masks what is a truly remarkable book. There is no overt racism in it. Instead, it does reflect the times in which it was set. This is the world of the 1870s or so which is a time much like ours in which globalization was bringing diverse parts of the world and their inhabitants together and technology was challenging ways of life. This is an optimistic book. It acknowledges that technology is bringing about great change and much that is beautiful is being lost with that. The book is a paean to the beauty of the sailing ship and the courage and skill of their officers and crews. Even at that, the book acknowledges that the years ahve brought changes and that the crews of the 1870s differ from those before. However, it acknowledges a continuity that links those old crews with the then current crews and what will come later. This is the moral strength and the physical skills of the men. This is a story of the sea. It is a story of a time and the men who sailed at that time. It is story without a central character. It is a story of many lives and their challenges, successes and failures. This is a story that will not grow old even though it is set at a time in history. It is a story of how people meet and the accommodations they make to live together - their successes and their failures

A minor classic. Conrad's understanding of sailing and the sea is unsurpassed. Ability with English astonishing as it was his third (or fourth) language. While it is a story of the sea, it is more a story of men and their natures as they relate to the black man aboard ship.

Conrad is, of course, one of the greatest novelists in English literature. This despite English being his third language. The title keeps this book off any modern American college reading list, which is too bad. In addition to being a great sea story, it is a graphic tale of interpersonal actions and regrets. While it might not make a good introduction to Conrad, it certainly would be in the top three. If you've never read Conrad before, start with "Heart of Darkness."

this is a good book for a sailor like me. ignore the n-word. the book was written in 1897."... the incarnation of barbarian wisdom, serene in the blasphemous turmoil of the world."

There is a narrative of a storm at sea that is so well written you'll be exhausted when you've finished it. Despite the politically incorrect title it is not a racist novel. It is simply a novel written over one hundred years ago. It's important to read new and old books to find out where we've come from. Otherwise we begin to think we are the most advanced thinkers ever to have existed. (By the way, that is faulty and dangerous thinking).

Despite the unfortunate title, this novella presents the unity and harmony that is required for an effective ship's crew (or any team for that matter), and how easy one person can substantially disrupt that harmony. Followers of contemporary American politics, and specifically the eternal debates over legitimate benefits and 'freeloaders,' may also find some of the themes quite familiar.As an added benefit, the storm scene about halfway through contains some of the most sublime prose ever to illustrate the majesty and horror of a ship caught in a typhoon. Conrad paints with words scenes JMW Turner only imagined...

Horribke title.Excellent book.A real, "Man against the sea!" story.Other than the title it was not very racist.Highly recommend it.

The most magnificent of writing of the sea. Not glossy and romantic but raw boned and real. A very good read.

Bought it for the gorgeous and famous introduction by Conrad, on the purpose of art. The title is unfortunate but that was the wording used at the time. Is actually a sympathetic portrait of a black man and sailors. (It is a product of its time and written by a white man.....)

Conrad's descriptive language is amazing, especially as English is not his mother tongue. The storms passages were especially good. Read the book just after looking around the 'Glenlee' in the Glasgow Ship Museum. The Narcissus if a very similar ship I think.

Joseph Conrad was one of the greatest writers of the 20thC. Heart of Darkness a work of genius, this book almost as good.

Found this to be a decent read after recently discovering conrad though being given a copy of the secret agent. The only downside of the book that I found was that at times I felt he dragged on a bit describing things in unnecessary detail rather than getting on with the plot.

Don't be put off by the title it's a good tale of life at sea based on the authors own life aboard ship in the days of sail.