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.
