Reviews

End of the Tether by Joseph Conrad

ichirofakename's review against another edition

5.0

Perfect companion piecer to Youth. Series of unfortunate events again, but this time, instead of sliding off the back of Youth, it drags down the noble man. Sadder than sad.

watisliteratuur's review against another edition

4.0

Eerste keer dat ik een traan heb gelaten om het einde van het boek. Tyfus wat een tragisch einde...

En nogmaals zo onterecht dat Heart of Darkness zo veel bekender is dan dit boek

paul_cornelius's review against another edition

4.0

Captain Whalley's closely guarded secret launches him, literally, on a course that would have been tragic, had not the heroism in the captain's heart already played itself out many years before. Perhaps there is a diluted echo of King Lear in this novella, the old man who wants to retire and pass on his success in life to his daughter but who is betrayed by the greed and ambitions of those around and even above him. Despair dominates. At the end, what is there but to keep putting one foot in front of the other, to last it out.

This novella is somewhat neglected, especially as it appeared alongside Heart of Darkness in an early collection. Yet it is a successful work. Conrad excelled at the long short story/novella form. The psychological reveals are not only modern but universal.

maeclegg's review against another edition

adventurous tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

iceangel9's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A classic tale of love and hatred set in Africa. This is the story of Captain Whalley. He owns a sailing ship and has made a name for himself in the cargo trade, but his wife has died and steam is now taking over for sailing ships. When he receives a letter from his daughter asking for financial assistance, he sells his beloved ship and becomes a partner with Massy who owns the Sofala. Massy is dishonest and a gambler. He does not reveal the true state of the ship, and Whalley does not tell him that the money he has invested is all he has. As the term of their agreement approaches its end, Whalley intends to get his share back and go to live with his daughter. Massy, now broke, hopes for more money from Whalley, not knowing he has no more. A tragic tale of two men on a collision course for disaster. 

peter_g's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

katysimpson's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

octavia_cade's review against another edition

3.0

Well-written but extremely depressing novella about an old sailor on the edge of penury, trying to hide a disability long enough to keep a job that will support his daughter. It's a quiet little story with very little melodrama, and the muted misery of it is far more effective than the repetition of horror in Heart of Darkness, for instance. Ultimately it's so unhappy a story that I don't think I'll read it again, but it's certainly affecting and the characterisation is excellent.