Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad

Name: Almayer's Folly
Author: Joseph Conrad

The novel revolves around the life of Almayer, a European trader living in Borneo. He marries a local woman, but their relationship ends in tragedy when she dies after giving birth to a son. The boy is raised by his father's friend, Dain, who seeks to use him as leverage against the Dutch colonial authorities. As the story unfolds, Almayer becomes increasingly obsessed with gaining wealth and status, which leads to his downfall. His fortunes are tied to those of his son, who becomes embroiled in a conflict between rival factions vying for control of the region. The novel explores themes of colonialism, cultural identity, and the corrupting influence of power. Through Almayer's story, Conrad critiques the notion of European superiority and highlights the destructive consequences of imperialism.

By Joseph Conrad · First published 1895 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Colonial Literature, Adventure · 12 chapters · 73,504 words

First lines

"Kaspar! Makan!"

The well-known shrill voice startled Almayer from his dream of splendid future into the unpleasant realities of the present hour. An unpleasant voice too. He had heard it for many years, and with every year he liked it less. No matter; there would be an end to all this soon.

What this Textopian page supports

Almayer's Folly is listed on Textopian as a novel by Joseph Conrad, dated 1895 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Joseph Conrad
Date: 1895 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Colonial Literature, Adventure, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction
Length: 73,504 words
Structure: 12 chapters, 878 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, colonialism, and human relationships with a focus on character development and stylistic prose.
Colonial Literature — The narrative is set in a colonial context, examining the impacts of European imperialism on both colonizers and the indigenous population.
Adventure — The plot involves exploration and the challenges faced in a foreign land, typical of adventure narratives.
Psychological Fiction — The characters' internal struggles and motivations are central to the narrative, reflecting psychological depth.