S great book

I read Heart of Darkness and The Secret Sharer in college, which was awhile ago, but had never read anything else by Conrad. After hearing Burroughs talk about him I decided to read more of his stuff. Lord Jim I found to be difficult reading. It is very dense and detailed and sometimes I became pretty impatient with it because of the slow pace in which the story is told. One part of the book, maybe five or ten pages I just skipped. A few times I just skimmed for awhile to get on with the tale. But it's not as difficult as Henry James or Joyce. And the story is actually pretty engaging. One other reviewer called Jim a "miserable cur" which I have to disagree with. He makes a terrible mistake for which he can never forget or entirely forgive. But he makes a great effort to redeem himself and to conduct himself in an honorable way. I also liked reading about the seafaring life of the 1880's and life on the tropical islands. After finishing the book I have to say that was worth the effort.

I am in awe of several things, but mostly the language. This is prose that could stand in the ring with Melville and give as good as it took. As penetrating a look into the meaning of honor - or what honor used to mean a hundred years ago - as anything ever written.

I just couldn't get into it. I guess I'm not a Conrad fan. I found Conrad's style and characters tiresome. Jim *is* a miserable cur.