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Lord Jim Audiobook
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(3.17) - 46 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This is a novel about a man's lifelong efforts to atone for an act of instinctive cowardice. Young Jim, chief mate of the Patna, dreams of being a hero. He has taken to the seas with the hopes of adventure and the chance to prove his mettle. When the Patna threatens to sink and the cowardly officers decide to save their own skins and escape in the few lifeboats, Jim despises them. But at the last moment, dazed by horror and confusion, he joins them, deserting the eight hundred Muslim passengers to apparent death.
Tormented by this act of cowardice and desertion, Jim flees west after being stripped of his rank. Living among the natives in Patusan, a remote trading post in the jungle, he is able to cease sacrificing himself on the altar of conscience. When he defends Patusan against the evil "Gentleman Brown," his efforts create order and well-being, thereby winning the respect and affection of the people for whom he becomes Tuan, or Lord Jim.
With its rich descriptions of an unknown, exotic world and beautifully constructed prose, Lord Jim is considered one of Conrad's greatest works.
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"A difficult read, but worth the time. Since there isn't one clearcut story/told through different prespectives, the reading can be challenging. But the book with stick with you. Lord Jim is the man."
— Buzz (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“It is a book to make the world wider and deeper, a piece of life.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Offers up not only linguistic pleasures but also a timeless exploration of morality…This is formidable porse by any standard. But when you consider Conrad was working in his third language…Lord Jim seems even more astonishing an accomplishment.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Lord Jim belongs to no era because it is timeless, novelistic art at its most sublime…Narrator Frederick Davidson is nothing short of perfection in his portrayal of Marlowe’s complex persona.”
— Library Journal -
“One of the world’s literary masterpieces…Probably most of us come to feel what the text suggests: that we contain more potential lives than real life permits us to realize.”
— Cedric Watts, professor at the University of Sussex
Awards
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One of Modern Library's 100 Best English-Language Novels of the Twentieth Century
Lord Jim Listener Reviews
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" Liked it better than Heart of Darkness! "
— Carolfoasia, 2/12/2014 -
" One of the worst books I have ever read. "
— Carol, 2/6/2014 -
" He's not what you think... "
— Therese, 1/21/2014 -
" Conrad, my Idol, did it again. One sentence in this book is worth more than all the pages in your average Barnes & Nobles. Unless, of course, they carry 'Lord Jim'. "
— Michaeldelicio, 1/21/2014 -
" Now that's what I'm talking about! That Conrad sure can write him some good books. Oh, Jim.... "
— Jon, 1/3/2014 -
" Good, but too long for a 21st Century reader. Fabulous account of the abandonment of the pilgrim ship. As ever, Conrad explores the theme of civilised man's impotence in the face of raw primitivism. "
— Patrick, 12/16/2013 -
" a summer/beach read, and what a great book!! "
— Tomw, 4/23/2013 -
" Difficult to follow. I'm currently reading an early edition, which may have a lot to do with the difficulty. "
— Russell, 4/6/2013 -
" Pellucid examination of how one young man deals with the disconnect between youthful idealism and the inner world, and the seedy truth of human nature as it unfolds in the external. "
— Wintersthrall, 1/23/2013 -
" I love love love this book. Joesph Conrad is so good at showing how terrible and how wonderful people can be. Marlow is my favorite narrator. "
— Eli, 7/15/2012 -
" The plot of the story was good. However the wordiness of the author made it a little bit difficult to read. I did feel bad for Jim - one rash, bad decision affected the rest of his life negatively. It was sad that he couldn't seem to forgive himself for his actions. "
— Crystal, 4/14/2012 -
" I just don't like Conrad. He is smarter than I am and I don't enjoy reading his books. "
— Anita, 11/17/2011 -
" One of those books that I can read and reread... the story lingers in the mind for long afterwards... "
— Joe, 10/5/2011 -
" I've been working on reading this wretched book for several weeks. All I can say is that I'm glad I listened to the audiobook in my car. At least I didn't waste any of my life on it. Save yourself from this boring, drawn out, epic to guilt. "
— Jane, 7/27/2011 -
" Ahh yes....the scene where he is staring at the bulkhead and thinking of all the pilgrims on board. The Moment of choice. "
— Nullaesomines, 4/29/2011 -
" this book started off awesome, but the second half drags a little bit. "
— Greg, 4/28/2011 -
" Abandoned! Whew, just could not do it. "
— Sonia, 1/31/2011 -
" Not for lazy reading....worth it. Great classic and darn good story. "
— Susan, 1/26/2011 -
" One of those books I skipped in college, with good reason: it is infernally long. It's also, however, quite good. "
— John, 1/10/2011 -
" certainly a very good book. not an easy read. appreciated it better once I'd finished it ;-) Very romantic shakespearian theme of guilt. "
— Josefien, 1/10/2011 -
" I get why you're important. I get that Conrad did a lot of brand new things here. I get that the shifting narrative structure is absurdly ambiguous and comments on unreliability in literature. What I don't get is why you had to be so boring about it, Joseph. "
— Martin, 12/28/2010 -
" Only book I had trouble reading. I don't know how many times I started this book before I could actually finish it. "
— Charlene, 12/21/2010
About Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad (Józef Teodor Konrad Nalecz Korzeniowski) (1857–1924) was born in Ukraine. Raised by an uncle after the death of his parents, he educated himself by reading widely in Polish and French. At age twenty-one he began a long career sailing the seas on French merchant vessels, after which he went to London and began writing, using the romance and adventure of his own life for his incomparable sea novels.
About Frederick Davidson
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.