Week 1 — Part 1, Chapters 1-5

[Susan]

Jacob wrote: ".. It was suggested that Conrad was forward thinking in his anti-colonialism, which is true but complicated. He was himself a Pole who had suffered under Russian imperialism as a boy, but he was also broadly positive about the British role in the world, then at its imperial height. He was also himself a foreign transplant and my gut tells me he would have viewed individual Europeans in South and Central America as he saw himself, a man making an honest effort to improve his lot in a new country. ."

My sense so far is that Conrad is painting a complex picture of Costaguana, which distinguishes between the individual interests of European immigrants like Giorgio Viola and Nostromo and the economic interests represented by European consortiums and companies like the steamship and railroad companies.

[Susan]

Jacob wrote: "As to the style, I’ve also found it less captivating and lovely than Conrad’s previous writing.… Based on the first five chapters, I’ve come to expect greater restraint with his language. That said, the novel’s entire world already appears in great imaginative richness. "

I’m intrigued by your and Greg’s comments about the lyricism of Conrad’s style. It makes me want to go back and reread Lord Jim and some of his other works to see what I missed. On the other hand, my reaction to the beginning of Nostromo is that the writing is masterful in its swift portrayal of an entire country (or province) from geography to history to economic and political interests to descriptions of the various characters. Perhaps, Conrad is varying his style here to suit his purpose? I guess time will tell ;)

[Susan]

Roger wrote: "I for one am finding the book engaging and fascinating--the intriguing personalities, romantic setting, isolation, tortured history, mix of Spanish, English, native, and Italian populations. Something is clearly brewing"

I am, too, and am very curious to see what is going to happen. Costaguana sounds like a bit of a pressure cooker!

[Sam]

Jacob wrote: "As to the style, I’ve also found it less captivating and lovely than Conrad’s previous writing."
At first, I was a little confused. As I have read further, I have found the style compelling, and I crave the reading. It reminds me of attempting to read "Late James," that is, Henry James' later novels, which I have not yet returned to because I felt to be facing an incomprehensible wall, as with Wm. Gaddis' "The Recognitions". I did make my way through that, and did much better with his "Folly of his own"; but that was many years ago. It's also the case with Wm. Gass and I would include Cormac McCarthy (esp. "Blood Meridian") in this group of really difficult writers who write hard and are ultimately rewarding.

[Susan]

Sam wrote: “. It's also the case with Wm. Gass and I would include Cormac McCarthy (esp. "Blood Meridian") in this group of really difficult writers who write hard and are ultimately rewarding.
.."

Henry James is a great example of an author whose style changed over time—some might say to total incomprehensibility ;). (I’m not among their number, but boy his prose can be difficult).

In a side note, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Cormac McCarthy today.