Conrad was a Polish-born English novelist. His success is even more amazing since he did not learn to speak English until he was in his 20's. Con...
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reviews
Apr 03, 2008
John
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I was expecting to have to wait in line for a lecture (by sculptor Richard Serra), I hate to waste time, I hate to hold heavy books in my lap, so I grabbed this Penguin 60 off my self to pass the time.
Reading this, I realized that male psychology hasn't changed much in a century. Conrad expresses basic male heroic yearnings, youthful enthusiasms and a poignant understanding of their eventual decline that seems as valid today as when they were written.
I also wondered if t More...
Reading this, I realized that male psychology hasn't changed much in a century. Conrad expresses basic male heroic yearnings, youthful enthusiasms and a poignant understanding of their eventual decline that seems as valid today as when they were written.
I also wondered if t More...
Mar 01, 2010
Yngvild
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I like sea-faring yarns, and Youth is a great example. Joseph Conrad called it a “feat of memory”, a semi-fictional retelling of a trip in a leaky tramp ship hauling coal from England to Bangkok. The narrator is Marlow, Conrad’s irresistibly chirpy and invariably competent and responsible alter ego.
The mention in Youth of a crew that refused to take the leaky Judea out to sea made me look up maritime law for the period. Until 1871, it was illegal for seamen to refuse to go to sea ev More...
The mention in Youth of a crew that refused to take the leaky Judea out to sea made me look up maritime law for the period. Until 1871, it was illegal for seamen to refuse to go to sea ev More...
Jan 28, 2009
Lori
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This was a very quick read, being quite short, but I liked it. At time humorous, always full of adventure. If there was symbolism to tear apart, I paid not a bit of attention to it -- Joseph Conrad was pretty much ruined for me because of that due to Senior Lit class.
I've still got "The Secret Sharer" and "Heart of Darkness" to re-read, and to actually ENJOY this time since I'm no longer being forced to read them and write literary criticism -- looking forward More...
I've still got "The Secret Sharer" and "Heart of Darkness" to re-read, and to actually ENJOY this time since I'm no longer being forced to read them and write literary criticism -- looking forward More...
Dec 27, 2009
Marts (Thinker)
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I took the opportunity to listen to 'Youth' during the holidays and thoroughly enjoyed it.
For those of you who read Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' and are therefore familiar with Marlowe, in 'Youth' an account of his first voyage east is given. I particularly appreciated this books' title in relation to the story's content, here the narrator, Marlowe, compares the sea and his first voyage to the enthusiasm, strength, vigor, ambition, and determination to conquer that vast ocean to one's yout
For those of you who read Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' and are therefore familiar with Marlowe, in 'Youth' an account of his first voyage east is given. I particularly appreciated this books' title in relation to the story's content, here the narrator, Marlowe, compares the sea and his first voyage to the enthusiasm, strength, vigor, ambition, and determination to conquer that vast ocean to one's yout
Mar 07, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Action-packed retelling of a voyage early in Conrad's maritime career from England to Bangkok with a cargo of coal which takes fire and forces the crew to abandon ship. Related by Conrad's ubiquitous Marlow to a group of retired mariners around a shiny mahogany table with a characteristic lament for the energetic, ecstatic but oh so swiftly gone days of young manhood. 'Pass the bottle...'
Jan 26, 2012
Ryan
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I don't recall Conrad's prose being this frilly. Maybe I am reading it incorrectly, and twenty some descriptions of a flaming ship is supposed to be poignant and tragic. To be fair, I will revisit this as I like Heart of Darkness and even enjoy the flair of romanticism. Not the most satisfying entry on the series though.
Oct 23, 2011
Mark
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Youth is a beguiling tale of seamanship, perseverance, and the enthusiasm of youth. Forged deftly by a wordsmith of passion, excellent timing, and eloquence it serves as an elegant reminder of that bygone era when the world was tough and men were men.
Dec 23, 2010
Kristen
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The scene where the coal just burns for days reminded me of that city that become vacant because an underground mine caught fire and has never stopped burning.
Conrad writes well and I may have to try Heart of Darkness Again.
Conrad writes well and I may have to try Heart of Darkness Again.
Nov 21, 2009
Brian
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This was the first writing I've experienced from Mr Conrad, written about the age of sailing ships... I found it very well written. I loved the ending which is poetic and apt. A short, yet gratifying read.
Dec 16, 2009
Sarah
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"Youth" is a companion piece to "Heart of Darkness" and is the first story in Youth, a Narrative, and Two Other Stories . The finally story is "The End of the Tether." Like "Heart of Darkness", "Youth" is a narrated by Charles Marlow and is an account of his first voyage east. While "Heart of Darkness" is about the destruction of one man's soul and mind, this is the tale of a ship's demise by all means possible. "Youth" is a m
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Aug 22, 2011
Dirk
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a very strong short story from Joseph Conrad.
One who has sailed the seven seas themselves, will recognise the bond, the bond of the sea.
Although this story is from the beginning of the last century, it is still worth to read, and to read again.
One who has sailed the seven seas themselves, will recognise the bond, the bond of the sea.
Although this story is from the beginning of the last century, it is still worth to read, and to read again.
Apr 09, 2011
Amy
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I always see hipsters with 'O youth! The strength of it, the faith of it, the imagination of it' tattooed on them, and now I know where its from.
Its a great short story, and I really liked the last paragraph.
Its a great short story, and I really liked the last paragraph.
Jul 22, 2009
Nosocialize
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Very short story at only 40 pages but it captures so much. It makes me wish somebody would take this and heart of darkness and make a honest adaptation to film.
Jun 23, 2009
Claudia
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I probably wouldn't have picked this myself but my boyfriend gave it to me to read. It is interesting to get inside the mind of a young sailor.
Oct 03, 2010
wally
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i could tell you the day i was reading this one. march 7th, 1981, the wash king laundromat on n.e. 17th avenue in gainesville, florida. things happen. i can't honestly say if i finished this one. youth.... ummmm. things happen...and so it goes.
Dec 10, 2009
Abdulilah
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I am lazy reader, so I grabed this "book". However, I enjoyed the reading and I liked it; it was not wasting for time.
Apr 29, 2011
Nullaesomines
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Short and succint. A parable of life. Sometimes you set out to do something..and can't.
Jan 07, 2012
Karen
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Apparently I don't have as much distaste for reading about youth, glory, and the sea as I just said I did in my review of The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea, because I picked this up right afterward. Food for thought, Karen Taylor.
Jan 23, 2011
Mary
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I think I had "read" (ei: eyes recognizing words on a page) this before, but I now I have a sense of it. Not that I'm old and can look at my reckless youth, but I have a sense of my youth slipping that is useful for understanding what Conrad's getting at when he says the sea gives you nothing but something to push against and try your youthful strength and optimism.
Feb 08, 2012
Amenah
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"The sky was a miracle of purity, a miracle of azure. The sea was polished, was blue, was pellucid, was sparkling like a precious stone, extending on all sides, all round to the horizon -as if the whole terrestrial globe had been one jewel, one colossal sapphire, a single gem fashioned into a planet."
Amazing.
Amazing.
Jun 13, 2008
Camille
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The story telling was perfect, the writing and Conrads use of language was astonishing.
Oct 01, 2011
Varoon
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The older I get, the more I appreciate this story. Which is ironic, given the title.
