markm reviewed Victory (Penguin Classics) by Joseph Conrad
Review of 'Victory (Penguin Classics)' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Conrad's psychological thriller, both Shakespearean and Biblical. The characters, the bad guys in particular, are exquisitely drawn. Quite a group of weirdoes. This book is on Joan Didion's handwritten list of her favorite books (as reproduced on brainpickings.org), and another reviewer here quotes her saying that she always re-reads Victory before beginning a new novel. The novel doesn't really drag, but Conrad takes his time, as usual. In the last quarter of the book, this deliberate pace helps to build tension. There is a sort of philosophical allegorical character to things, especially since the principle character is so introverted and vague, but what it all means, especially with the garden of eden business, I could only guess.
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Addendum: According to a recent nightmare, the story in Victory has something in common with that of the movie Key Largo.
Conrad's psychological thriller, both Shakespearean and Biblical. The characters, the bad guys in particular, are exquisitely drawn. Quite a group of weirdoes. This book is on Joan Didion's handwritten list of her favorite books (as reproduced on brainpickings.org), and another reviewer here quotes her saying that she always re-reads Victory before beginning a new novel. The novel doesn't really drag, but Conrad takes his time, as usual. In the last quarter of the book, this deliberate pace helps to build tension. There is a sort of philosophical allegorical character to things, especially since the principle character is so introverted and vague, but what it all means, especially with the garden of eden business, I could only guess.
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Addendum: According to a recent nightmare, the story in Victory has something in common with that of the movie Key Largo.
