The Art of the Novella
2 total works
There is a degree of bliss too intense for elation.
This little-known novella from one of the masters of the form is so unusual for Joseph Conrad's work in several respects, although not in its exotic maritime setting or its even more exotic prose—it is unusual in that it is one of his very few works to feature a woman as a leading character, and to take the form of a romance.
Still, it's a Conradian romance: a sweeping saga set in the Indian Ocean basin, against a turbulent background of barely suppressed hostilities between Dutch and British merchant navies, told by one of Conrad's classically detached narrators. In the end, the unique perspective of the sharply etched character of Freya is one of Conrad's most piercing studies of how the lust for power can drive men to greatness—or its opposite.
The Art of The Novella Series
Too short to be a novel, too long to be a short story, the novella is generally unrecognized by academics and publishers. Nonetheless, it is a form beloved and practiced by literature's greatest writers. In the Art Of The Novella series, Melville House celebrates this renegade art form and its practitioners with titles that are, in many instances, presented in book form for the first time.
This little-known novella from one of the masters of the form is so unusual for Joseph Conrad's work in several respects, although not in its exotic maritime setting or its even more exotic prose—it is unusual in that it is one of his very few works to feature a woman as a leading character, and to take the form of a romance.
Still, it's a Conradian romance: a sweeping saga set in the Indian Ocean basin, against a turbulent background of barely suppressed hostilities between Dutch and British merchant navies, told by one of Conrad's classically detached narrators. In the end, the unique perspective of the sharply etched character of Freya is one of Conrad's most piercing studies of how the lust for power can drive men to greatness—or its opposite.
The Art of The Novella Series
Too short to be a novel, too long to be a short story, the novella is generally unrecognized by academics and publishers. Nonetheless, it is a form beloved and practiced by literature's greatest writers. In the Art Of The Novella series, Melville House celebrates this renegade art form and its practitioners with titles that are, in many instances, presented in book form for the first time.
About This Book
"Haven't you heard of the duel going on ever since 1801?"
An exciting, swashbuckling thriller based on a true story about two of Napoleon’s soldiers.
Conrad’s brilliantly ironic tale about two officers in Napoleon’s Grand Army who, under a futile pretext, fought an on-going series of duels throughout the Napoleanic Wars. Over decades, on every occasion they chanced to meet, they fought. Both satiric and deeply sad, this masterful tale treats both the futility of war and the absurdity of false honor, war’s necessary accessory.
This Is A Melville House “HybridBook”
HybridBooks are a union of print and electronic media: Purchasers of this print edition also receive Illuminations—additional curated material that expand the world of Conrad's novella through text and illustrations—at no additional charge.
To obtain the Illuminations for The Duel by Joseph Conrad, simply scan the QR code (or follow a url) found at the back of the print book, which leads to a page where you can download a file for your preferred electronic reading device.
"Illuminations" contains writings by Napoleon Bonaparte - Catherine Bearne - Captain Elzear Blaze - Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourienne - Richard Curle - And a historical appreciation of the real life Feraud and d'Hubert
Full-color illustrations include: Jacques-Louis David - Jean-Antoine Gros - Johannes Flintoe - Johann Gottfried Schadow - James Gillroy and others.
Also Included: “The Code Duello: A Diverse Anthology For Personal Use” which includes in their entirety the French, Irish and American Southern Code Duellos as well as the Queensbury Rules and a description of the Viking Holmganga.
"Haven't you heard of the duel going on ever since 1801?"
An exciting, swashbuckling thriller based on a true story about two of Napoleon’s soldiers.
Conrad’s brilliantly ironic tale about two officers in Napoleon’s Grand Army who, under a futile pretext, fought an on-going series of duels throughout the Napoleanic Wars. Over decades, on every occasion they chanced to meet, they fought. Both satiric and deeply sad, this masterful tale treats both the futility of war and the absurdity of false honor, war’s necessary accessory.
This Is A Melville House “HybridBook”
HybridBooks are a union of print and electronic media: Purchasers of this print edition also receive Illuminations—additional curated material that expand the world of Conrad's novella through text and illustrations—at no additional charge.
To obtain the Illuminations for The Duel by Joseph Conrad, simply scan the QR code (or follow a url) found at the back of the print book, which leads to a page where you can download a file for your preferred electronic reading device.
"Illuminations" contains writings by Napoleon Bonaparte - Catherine Bearne - Captain Elzear Blaze - Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourienne - Richard Curle - And a historical appreciation of the real life Feraud and d'Hubert
Full-color illustrations include: Jacques-Louis David - Jean-Antoine Gros - Johannes Flintoe - Johann Gottfried Schadow - James Gillroy and others.
Also Included: “The Code Duello: A Diverse Anthology For Personal Use” which includes in their entirety the French, Irish and American Southern Code Duellos as well as the Queensbury Rules and a description of the Viking Holmganga.