Typhoon and Other Stories - Everyman's Library Classic Fiction Collection | Perfect for Book Clubs, Literature Lovers & Home Library Displays

Joseph Conrad's maritime career and his writings are closely associated with the sea. Conrad is a masterful storyteller and this collection of his short stories and novellas are some of the best nautical pieces he has written. The three stories in this book are "The 'Negro' of the Narcissus," "Typhoon" and "The Shadow-Line". Conrad's work is sometimes regarded as difficult because his language does not always flow easily. Here, one should remember that English was not his native language but was acquired later. Also, he may appear difficult because his literary works are very psychologically complex. Nevertheless, he is considered a giant of late 19th and early 20th century literature, noted for his finely-wrought language and visual imagery. The Narcissus story was one of his first breakthrough successes. It deals with a return voyage from India to England. A key character is James Wait, the eponymous Negro, who joins the ship at the last minute and appears to be seriously ill. The ship encounters a savage storm en route that turns the vessel over on its side and threatens its destruction. However, through heroic efforts the ship is saved. The crew's attitude toward Wait is initially hostile because he claims his sickness prevents him from doing any ship's work and they suspect him of malingering. Over time, however, the crew develops sympathy and affection for him. Meanwhile, Donkin, an unruly and incompetent crewman, given to socialistic sympathies, attempts to incite a mutiny, but ultimately fails. Wait finally dies to the surprise and shock of the crew. Finally, the Narcissus arrives home and the crew is dispersed. What makes this fairly simple story significant is the strong interpersonal dynamics between Wait and the crew which vacillate from initial skepticism and resentment to affection to dismay at his demise. Also, the description of the storm at sea is very gripping and well told. Conrad also makes a strong case through his narrative for the motivation, good nature and dedicated work ethic of the English sailor. The next story, "Typhoon" is fairly uncomplicated; the main characters are the old captain MacWhirr and his young first mate, Jukes. MacWhirr is a crusty and plodding old seadog who ignores conventional maritime aids such as navigational manuals and meteorological forecasts. When his ship runs into a typhoon (which he should have been able to avoid) he decides the best course of action is to face the storm and plow through it. In so doing he puts in grave peril not only the ship's crew but also its human cargo, a load of Chinese workers or coolies returning home. During the turmoil of the storm, which is described very graphically, the coolies start to riot and must be subdued by chaining them to the decks below. Through super human efforts and much luck, the ship is eventually saved and returns home. It appears the unimaginative MacWhirr has narrowly averted disaster by stubbornly forging on in the face of the savage storm. The next story considered is called "The Shadow-Line". It describes the transition of its young, fairly innocent protagonist into a mature and experienced captain of his own ship. The story opens slowly with the young man stranded at an oriental port having abruptly left his former ship where he was first mate. He is looking for an opportunity to command his own ship. While staying at a sailor's home he meets an older retired captain named Giles who alerts him to an unexpected position that has just come available. After being appointed captain and joining his new ship, he learns that the previous skipper had died after apparently losing his mind. After the ship shoves off, the return journey becomes perilous because the vessel is becalmed for an extended period. The crew superstitiously believes this is due to its former captain preventing the ship from passing beyond his burial spot at sea. Then fever breaks out throughout the ship, and the supply of quinine is found to be woefully inadequate. Eventually, only the captain and a crewman named Ransome are well enough to run the ship. There follows a tortuous period in which the crew becomes agitated and a little crazy while the ship remains becalmed. Eventually, a squall arrives with sufficient wind for the ship to get under way. After a difficult voyage, the ship makes port and the crew receives medical help. The young captain has proved his toughness and maturity during his first, perilous command.