The Rescue by Joseph Conrad (1920)

Name: The Rescue
Author: Joseph Conrad

The novel revolves around a group of people who are rescued from a shipwreck and taken aboard the steamer Nan-Shan. The story explores their experiences on board, including their interactions with each other and the crew. As they journey to safety, tensions rise among the survivors due to differences in social class and cultural background. The novel highlights the complexities of human relationships and the challenges that arise when people from different walks of life are forced together in a confined space. The story also delves into themes of morality, guilt, and redemption as the characters confront their past actions and grapple with the consequences of their decisions. Through the characters' experiences, the novel raises questions about the nature of humanity and the impact of trauma on individuals and society.

By Joseph Conrad · First published 1920 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Psychological Fiction · 41 chapters · 158,673 words

First lines

The shallow sea that foams and murmurs on the shores of the thousand islands, big and little, which make up the Malay Archipelago has been for centuries the scene of adventurous undertakings. The vices and the virtues of four nations have been displayed in the conquest of that region that even to this day has not been robbed of all the mystery and romance of its past -- and the race of men who had fought against the Portuguese, the Spaniards, the Dutch and the English, has not been changed by the unavoidable defeat. They have kept to this day their love of liberty, their fanatical devotion to their chiefs, their blind fidelity in friendship and hate -- all their lawful and unlawful instincts. Their country of land and water -- for the sea was as much their country as the earth of their islands -- has fallen a prey to the western race -- the reward of superior strength if not of superior virtue. To-morrow the advancing civilization will obliterate the marks of a long struggle in the accomplishment of its inevitable victory.

What this Textopian page supports

The Rescue is listed on Textopian as a novel by Joseph Conrad, dated 1920 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: 1920 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction, Maritime Fiction
Length: 158,673 words
Structure: 41 chapters, 2,584 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 human experience and moral ambiguity, characteristic of literary fiction.
Adventure — The plot involves elements of exploration and peril, typical of adventure narratives.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of characters, reflecting psychological depth.
Historical Fiction — The setting and context provide a backdrop that reflects historical elements relevant to the time period.