Nostromo Audiobook, by Joseph Conrad Play Audiobook Sample

Nostromo Audiobook

Nostromo Audiobook, by Joseph Conrad Play Audiobook Sample
FlexPass™ Price: $13.95
$9.95 for new members!
(Includes UNLIMITED podcast listening)
  • Love your audiobook or we'll exchange it
  • No credits to manage, just big savings
  • Unlimited podcast listening
Add to Cart
$9.95/m - cancel anytime - 
learn more
OR
Regular Price: $27.95 Add to Cart
Read By: John Lee Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 11.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 8.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: June 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781483090160

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

30

Longest Chapter Length:

92:03 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

10:09 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

34:34 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

48

Other Audiobooks Written by Joseph Conrad: > View All...

Publisher Description

Joseph Conrad’s multilayered masterpiece tells of one nation’s violent revolution and one hero’s moral degeneration. Conrad convincingly invents an entire country, Costaguana, and sets it afire as warlords compete for power and a fortune in silver.

Señor Gould, adamant that his silver should not become spoil for his enemies, entrusts it to his faithful longshoreman, Nostromo, a local hero of sorts whom Señor Gould believes to be incorruptible. Nostromo accepts the mission as an opportunity to increase his own fame. But when his exploit fails to win him the rewards he had hoped for, he is consumed by a corrupting resentment.

Nostromo, relevant both as literature and as a brilliant social study, ambitiously brings to life Latin American history and the politics of an underdeveloped country. 

Download and start listening now!

"For a novel that plods grimly towards an inevitable tragic conclusion, this book has a marvelously light touch (especially for its age), fantastic language, and characters that keep you hoping that this time they'll get away (spoiler: not a chance pal, but you knew that already.)"

— Joaquin (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “I’d rather have written Conrad’s Nostromo than any other novel.”

    — F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • “In Nostromo…Conrad has achieved something which is not in the power of any English contemporary novelist to touch…he accomplishes artistic feats beyond his rivals.”

    — Edward Garnett, The Speaker
  • “[An] involved, philosophical novel…With characteristic eloquence, Conrad has focused on the dramatic action of the revolution to explore challenging themes: capitalism, imperialism, revolution, and social justice.”

    — Library Journal
  • “Most certainly…one of the great novels of the language.”

    — F. R. Leavis, literary critic
  • “Often praised as one of Joseph Conrad’s greatest novels, Nostromo tells the tumultuous history of the fictional country Costaguana. Conrad’s ‘perfectly incorruptible’ Nostromo, a heroic symbol within the community, eventually reveals the novel’s dark irony. British actor John Lee approaches his narration with a steady tone and expert attention to the text. What is especially masterful in Lee’s reading is his array of accents for Conrad’s collage of characters—from the English and Italian transplants to the passionate native inhabitants. All are wonderfully portrayed by Lee, especially the polyglot Decoud, a Europeanized Costaguaneran whose accent fluctuates between French and Spanish. Lee takes Conrad’s dense and descriptive language in hand to produce an epic listening experience.”

    — AudioFile

Nostromo Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.6734693877551 out of 53.6734693877551 out of 53.6734693877551 out of 53.6734693877551 out of 53.6734693877551 out of 5 (3.67)
5 Stars: 18
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 10
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 4
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Slow and sometimes difficult to follow buildup. The last third of the book picks up the pace somewhat and takes the form of one of the classic tragedies. "

    — Cairnraiser, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " what more can you want...political instability, resource exploitation, and and developing country. By far one of my favorite books. "

    — Sid, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " the two stars is for the pretty accomplished prose. Otherwise, the political perspective was plain moronic and the character psychology was antiquated. "

    — Caracalla, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " South American adventure story, with lots of main characters (which leads to a certain loss of focus). Interesting insights into neo-colonisalism and development economics c. 1900. "

    — Grant, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I think this suffered from being read piecemeal through Daily Lit; I never really got into it. It seemed a bit disjointed and lacked emotion. Perhaps it just felt old-fashioned. "

    — Sophie, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great book, though I felt the many lengthy descritive passages got a bit tedious. Outstanding ploy, however. "

    — Gerald, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Heart of Darkness all over again. "

    — Enid, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I should have known from the time period that this was gonna be one of those books with words. "

    — Bria, 12/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " One of the most superb political thriller I ever read. Only the death os Martin De coud is not quite credible "

    — Brigitte, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Builds slowly to become a riveting look at the corrupting influence of a silver mine on a fictional Sth American country. It explores the notion of the cost of wealth to the soul of individuals and the community. Characters well developed and tension built superbly. "

    — Luke, 11/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " worth struggling through the first 75% for the last quarter. And, trust me, that's saying a lot about both parts. "

    — Nate, 11/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I've read literally thousands of books in my lifetime and this is the only one I just cannot manage to read. I get to about page 20 and give up every time. "

    — Tania, 11/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Conrad's most well known for Heart of Darkness, but this book truly explores that dark heart. "

    — Phil, 11/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Audio book version. Frank Muller is the narrator. Great job by him, great book. "

    — Brad, 10/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great novel about a "Banana republic", a lot of suspense. "

    — Harold, 7/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I should like Conrad more than I do. I really should. But he's just so dense and confusing that any pleasure I get from his stories is so hard-won that I forget they're pleasures. This story was typical Conrad - depressing, heavy, cynical, astute, and murky. It was sprinkled with occasional, almost accidentally funny moments, though, which I greatly appreciated. "

    — Katie, 6/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " what more can you want...political instability, resource exploitation, and and developing country. By far one of my favorite books. "

    — Sid, 5/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " most certainly i can resonate with Scott Fitzgerald on this. it demands patience however "

    — Asyoulikeit, 3/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Business first, humaity last. Suffering. Death. Resolution, of sort. Good story. "

    — Patrick\, 2/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A must read for all all. Lots of historical process about a South American mining community at the start of the 20th century and some stunningly evocative characters, not least of all, our incorruptible hero, the title of the book. "

    — Julia, 1/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Difficult, trying prose - and worth it, too. Does everything have to be simple and straightforward? Put the effort in, and you'll be glad you read it. "

    — Gareth, 1/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Most readable Conrad book that I've ever read. "

    — Charlie, 1/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " this was my first time reading joseph conrad. it was a bit difficult to get into, but in the end i really enjoyed it. hopefully i can work myself into reading more conrad :) "

    — Jen, 1/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What a pleasure to be carried along by a great story and in the hands of a master writer. Life is too short to read mediocre books! "

    — Margaret, 11/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Long book. Slow reading. Beautiful sentences. And very fine story of greed. Labored reading at times, so slow going. "

    — Chip, 10/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I wasn't very interested in the setting or the story at the beginning. The last 1/3 was interesting, however, so I'm glad I stuck with it. Conrad is always a good writer. "

    — Jennifer, 10/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Started off a bit slow, especially since I love Conrad, however grew to be a great book. Funny how many different areas of the world, fictional or no, these seaside stories take place. SE Asia, Africa, S America. Must read for Conrad fans. "

    — Kevin, 4/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The book was alright. I wasn't jumping for you because part of it was difficult to follow. "

    — Anthony, 4/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Never really made much sense...too political at times, but there were some parts I liked. Kind of rushed through it because I had to finish it for my senior paper. "

    — Alex, 12/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Joe, in his masterful prose style, tells his tale of 19th century South American exploitation and rebellion. "

    — Steve, 6/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " This book was a real challenge for me. Book group wanted to read a classic and someone picked this. "

    — Mary, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I read this as part of my Advanced Placement English class during my senior year at Roy High School. This book had a lot of symbolism. Everything there was meant to be "dark." I still remember it after 40 years. It kinda gave me a creepy feeling. "

    — Dad, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of my favorite books due to the contemplative nature of the narrative and its dialogue concerning the human experience. "

    — Christopher, 5/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Worst high school assignment ever... but maybe it was the teacher and my group rather than the book... "

    — Tanya, 5/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " So boring. I can see why people think it was amazing... but really, what a bore. "

    — Gretchen, 5/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Achebe is wrong! This book exposes and condemns European racism and colonization, not condones it. It even, in 1898, takes a stab at sexism. Conrad was a genius. "

    — Ctb, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A simple novella plotwise. The language is powerful, scenery oppresive and the themes intellectually brutal. "

    — Oskari, 5/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Brilliant, although you need multiple reads to uncover it. "

    — Deepti, 5/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Good start. By the end you get a bit drowned in the heavy 19th-century writing style. There are some good excerpts and thoughtful moral messages, if you can manage to pick them out from the rubble of words... "

    — Steffi, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " the sentences! the sentences! The very end makes no sense to me, though. Think he screwed that up. I also don't see what was so great about Kurtz. Seems to me that might have been shown better. But the rest is beautifully written, sentence after sentence. "

    — Chris, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Long book. Slow reading. Beautiful sentences. And very fine story of greed. Labored reading at times, so slow going. "

    — Chip, 7/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Started off a bit slow, especially since I love Conrad, however grew to be a great book. Funny how many different areas of the world, fictional or no, these seaside stories take place. SE Asia, Africa, S America. Must read for Conrad fans. "

    — Kevin, 8/4/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great book, though I felt the many lengthy descritive passages got a bit tedious. Outstanding ploy, however. "

    — Gerald, 12/31/2008
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Never really made much sense...too political at times, but there were some parts I liked. Kind of rushed through it because I had to finish it for my senior paper. "

    — Alex, 8/29/2007
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " The book was alright. I wasn't jumping for you because part of it was difficult to follow. "

    — Anthony, 9/26/2003
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " most certainly i can resonate with Scott Fitzgerald on this. it demands patience however "

    — Asyoulikeit, 6/3/2003
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " South American adventure story, with lots of main characters (which leads to a certain loss of focus). Interesting insights into neo-colonisalism and development economics c. 1900. "

    — Grant, 8/20/2002
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great novel about a "Banana republic", a lot of suspense. "

    — Harold, 3/11/2002
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Slow and sometimes difficult to follow buildup. The last third of the book picks up the pace somewhat and takes the form of one of the classic tragedies. "

    — Cairnraiser, 6/21/2001

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 John Lee

John Lee is the winner of numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He has twice won acclaim as AudioFile’s Best Voice in Fiction & Classics. He also narrates video games, does voice-over work, and writes plays. He is an accomplished stage actor and has written and coproduced the feature films Breathing Hard and Forfeit. He played Alydon in the 1963–64 Doctor Who serial The Daleks.