Joseph Conrad

This is both a biography and a critical analysis of Joseph Conrad's work. During his early years, Conrad lead an adventurous and varied life which he later incorporated into his writings. It includes Conrad's exile with his father in Russia, his education in Poland, the period when he was based on Marseilles, the years as a merchant seaman and his appalling experience in the Congo. It looks at his development as a novelist, analyses his method and discusses the themes that absorbed him. It further talks about his day-to-day struggles as a writer -- he was beset by ill health, lack of money and lack of confidence -- and in the unfolding of his personality through friendships with people such as Stephen Crane, Ford Madox Ford, Galsworth, Edward Garnett and others.