Youth and Heart of Darkness Book

Hard to believe I got so far in life without reading Conrad! Also hard to believe that this Pole, who didn't start speaking English until learning it from his fellow sailors in his late teens, ended up being far and away one of the ultimate masters of the language. The way he writes in "Heart of Darkness" is mind-blowing, and like no one else (though the past 100 years have seen countless people try). Others have said plenty about the story, so I will say nothing more than that I agree with them (except for those who don't like it, which is probably the same as merely not appreciating insanely good writing).

"Youth" is a shorter tale, and one of the most gripping stories I've ever read (up there with Saint-Exupery's "Cyclone" story). Based on Conrad's own sailing experiences, I lost count of how many times those sailors should have ended up at the bottom of the sea. Amazing tale, and told by someone who knows exactly how to tell a perfect story. And of course, being Conrad, there's much more than just a story here - there's a whole philosophy about youth, while he's at it.

Typhoon or Lord Jim next? That is the question!