Customer Reviews

Suspense

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A quiet has fallen on Europe, with Napoleon exiled to Elba. It is not the quiet of a world at rest, but of a world holding its breath, unable to believe that the curtain has indeed dropped on the great Emperor. And, it is into this world walks Cosmo Latham - an Englishman and veteran of the late war, looking to see what he was unable to see earlier, and perhaps even get a glimpse of the Emperor himself. But, when he finds a girl from his youth, formerly Mlle Adele D'Armand, and now Mrs. Helion de Montevesso, he finds that his emotions can get the better of him.

This book was Joseph Conrad's (1857-1924) last work, as a matter of fact, when that talented author died, this book was left unfinished, and has remained so to this day. Conrad is remembered for his best works - Lord Jim, Nostromo, Heart of Darkness, and many others - but, I do not think that this book falls into that category. It takes very long to get going, feeling surprisingly suspended, as Cosmo goes about his business, learning about Adele, and so forth.

No, this book does show that it was written by a master storyteller, but it also shows that it is unfinished. If you are a Joseph Conrad fan, and wish to read every story he wrote, you will want to read this one. But, if that is not the case, then you probably will be disappointed by it - as was I.