Nostromo Audiobook By Joseph Conrad cover art

Nostromo

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Nostromo

By: Joseph Conrad
Narrated by: Frank Muller
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One of the great adventure novels of our language creates a most engaging central character, Nostromo. A picturesque man of action and popular hero, Nostromo lives to be "well-spoken of" by the citizens of Costaguana, the mythical South American banana republic where the story takes place. Around this figure, Conrad spins a story of revolution, politics, and racial conflict as complex as Nostromo, the man whose greatest enemy is himself.

Public Domain (P)1987 Recorded Books Action & Adventure Classics Fiction World Literature United Kingdom Latin America

Editorial reviews

Narrator Frank Muller reaches into the depths of his well-trained bass as he portrays one of Conrad's most interesting characters with a sly, knowing tone and perfect pacing. At the beginning of the story Muller lets Nostromo's leadership qualities shine through his performance and allows the creeping dread of his fate to seep into the audio so that listeners feel every emotion, from sorrow to elation to empathy. A wonderful performance by one of the best narrators to ever step behind a microphone.

Critic reviews

"The reading by the acclaimed Frank Muller has a fine, dramatic touch." (Library Journal)
"Conrad, I think, was right in regarding it [Nostromo] as his greatest creation, and it seems to me one of the world's great novels." (F.R. Leavis)
All stars
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'He was ruined in every way, but a man possessed of passion is not a bankrupt in life.'
J. Conrad, Nostromo

A splendid story of romanticism, adventure and vice. Conrad employs an intricate narrative structure, intertwining four character studies and differing points of view around Sulaco, an imagined South American country, a ticking bomb with a violent past. He perfectly contrasts these against the fabulous scenery of mist-hidden mountains and a silver mine.

The novel begins in the midst of things with frequent flashbacks and some glimpses forward, as information is gradually revealed.

It’s filled the with spirited characters, including, of course, the magnificent Nostromo, who is a natural born leader, valiant, virtuous and very handsome, ready and able for center stage in the revolution about to destroy Sulaco.

A master of suspense and designer extraordinaire of complex plots, Conrad thereby transforms an otherwise typical tale of romantic adventure into a quite serious study of human nature in adversity, with themes of capitalism and imperialism and revolution.


Complex plotting showing human nature in adversity

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This has always been one of my favorite novels. Subtitled, "A Paradise of Snakes" in some printings, it's a great story with incredible characters and masterful use of the language. I remember once reading that this was Conrad's expose of discovering America. And what an analogy it is (and perhaps the precursor of the Spaghetti Western. . . ). This reader, however, turns poetic prose into something of a snore.

A dry reading of a wonderful novel

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Narration is good, but the recording isn’t perfect, the imperfections don’t really detract.

Very much enjoyed the book.

I love Audio Books

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Is there anything you would change about this book?

This is a truely great book but does not function as an audio book - too many characters and too much description. It's really difficult to keep tabs on all of the elements.

I abandoned listening to this magnificent book

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This is a terrific narration of a magnificent book. It's too bad that Frank Muller's beautiful performance did not age well on tape (I assume), and the whole narration is marred by a barely audible low-pitch background humm. Besides this version, I have two other performances of this novel, one free and one purchased. As fantastic and sophisticated as this novel this, it is the narrator that makes or breaks it. Having heard the two other narration of this book, one realizes what a MASTERFUL narrator Frank Muller was. It is too bad that he is no longer with us.

Masterful Narration of an Incredible Novel

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I'm not even sure why I downloaded this audio book. I had read 'Heart of Darkness' in high school, but was unfamiliar with anything else by Conrad. This is one of the best books I have ever read/heard. The story is incredible. Everyone should read this book. After reading it, I rented the BBC mini series on sideo tape for another interpretation. It didn't hold a candle to the book, but it's still compelling.

Wow!

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Requires active listening, but the richness of language, characters and society are well worth the effort.

A Masterpiece

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I truelly enjow Frank Muller narration. He is excellent as ever. The stort however is world salad. I rewind several sections and just can't follow the story. For Mr. Mullers best listen All the Pretty horses or Shawshank redemtion. I pray his recover is going well. What a loss to all audio readers! Gave up one this one, though.

Lost

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This was the only book I've listened to that I've had to leave unfinished. I just couldn't get through more than a few hours. I think the main problem is that this book just doesn't lend itself to narration very well. Perhaps a different narrator would help, but I doubt it. It seemed like a good book, though - I'll try the print version.

Couldn't get through it

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This audiobook is poorly read, poorly organized, and generally a disappointment. Conrad is a master of English literature, but this isn’t his masterpiece. It’s nonsensical, implausible, and a struggle to follow. The chapter breakdown on this audiobook does not match the ebook copy that I have. Some of the chapter breaks in the audiobook take place mid-sentence. Ridiculous. Don’t buy this version. You’ll be frustrated too.

Disorganized and unintelligible

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