The Rover by Joseph Conrad (1923)

Name: The Rover
Author: Joseph Conrad

The novel revolves around a young man's journey to the East Indies on a ship called The Rover. He becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and power struggles between the ship's captain and his crew, particularly with the first mate who harbors a deep-seated resentment towards him. As the story unfolds, the young man finds himself caught up in a series of events that challenge his perceptions of morality, loyalty, and identity. He is forced to confront the harsh realities of life at sea and the darker aspects of human nature. Throughout the novel, Conrad explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. The narrative is characterized by its use of symbolism, imagery, and psychological insight, creating a rich and complex portrait of the human experience.

By Joseph Conrad · First published 1923 · Genre: Adventure, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction · 16 chapters · 102,567 words

First lines

After entering at break of day the inner roadstead of the Port of Toulon, exchanging several loud hails with one of the guardboats of the Fleet, which directed him where he was to take up his berth, Master-Gunner Peyrol let go the anchor of the sea-worn and battered ship in his charge, between the arsenal and the town, in full view of the principal quay. The course of his life, which in the opinion of any ordinary person might have been regarded as full of marvellous incidents (only he himself had never marvelled at them) had rendered him undemonstrative to such a degree, that he did not even let out a sigh of relief at the rumble of the chain. And yet it ended a most anxious six months of knocking about at sea with valuable merchandize in a damaged hull, most of the time on short rations, always on the lookout for English cruisers, once or twice on the verge of shipwreck and more than once on the verge of capture. But as to that, old Peyrol had made up his mind from the first to blow up his valuable charge -- unemotionally, for such was his character, formed under the sun of the Indian seas in lawless contests with his kind for a little loot that vanished as soon as grasped, but mainly for bare life almost as precarious to hold through its ups and downs, and which now had lasted for fifty-eight years.

What this Textopian page supports

The Rover is listed on Textopian as a novel by Joseph Conrad, dated 1923 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: 1923 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Romance
Length: 102,567 words
Structure: 16 chapters, 1,338 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The plot involves exploration and the pursuit of freedom, central to the characters' journeys.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and complex, focusing on character development and thematic depth.
Historical Fiction — The setting and context reflect historical events and societal norms of the time.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of the characters.