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boquitap4sion's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Buena lectura corta para conocer a conrad. Siento que le gustaría a mi abuelo
timdiner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
axl_oswaldo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
<b>The Point of Honor</b> was a 'peculiar' yet quite enjoyable story. I don't know if peculiar might be the best way to describe such a novella though, probably just different, even absurd at times, or at least that was my impression when I read it. Perhaps it is not a surprise since the author is constantly using "absurd" or "absurdity" in order to describe some scenes or, more specifically, one scene that concerns both protagonists of the book: a minor quarrel or argument that started way back when they were younger, and has turned into a constant, bitter fight over the years. Speaking of this quarrel, it is so well depicted that so far this has been the best short story I have read where a duel<b>*</b> takes place, or at least my favorite one.
This short novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars, is about two generals—D'Hubert and Feraud—who have had some differences between them for years. At the very beginning we don't know exactly what this is about, for instance, the origin of the quarrel in the past or why this situation is still happening, neither the rest of the characters, who are constantly making assumptions about it; fortunately, the style of writing is so impressive and straightforward (finally a straightforward book by Conrad) that somehow you can't help but keep reading in order to know the whole truth about this argument and whether or not both D'Hubert and Feraud can settle their differences in the end.
Speaking of Conrad's prose, it seems to be more readable and straight-to-the-point in this book than other works, as I can tell based on my own experience reading a couple of them before, such as <b>Youth</b> and <b>The Shadow-Line</b>, which were also good readings, despite their prose being a little bit confusing or dense at times.
In addition, the historical context is another element that is rather vivid and has its own importance inside the novel – those short yet beautifully written descriptions really make you feel a part of the story, which is, by the way, a common characteristic in Conrad's books. Lastly, I found the ending absolutely fascinating and almost exactly how I thought it would be, even it gave me a The-Aspern-Papers-ending vibe—one of my favorite Henry James short novels—whose similar characteristics, nonetheless, I would prefer not to mention.
In short, a great reading experience that makes me want to pick up more novels by Conrad in the near future, especially those ones that have nothing to do with the sea, since I believe I can also find beautiful gems there. Of course, I'd highly recommend this short story, even if you have not read any of his works before.
<i>No man succeeds in everything he undertakes. In that sense we are all failures. The great point is not to fail in ordering and sustaining the effort of our life. In this matter vanity is what leads us astray. It is our vanity which hurries us into situations from which we must come out damaged. Whereas pride is our safeguard by the reserve it imposes on the choice of our endeavour, as much as by the virtue of its sustaining power.</i>
<b>----</b>
<b>*</b> It is kind of funny, but I read this book under the title <b>The Point of Honor</b>, while I have seen there are other editions where the book is called <b>The Duel</b> – I don't know if the author eventually decided to change the book title, or it wasn't written in English and therefore there are more than one translation(?); I'm not sure and I couldn't find further information about it.
This short novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars, is about two generals—D'Hubert and Feraud—who have had some differences between them for years. At the very beginning we don't know exactly what this is about, for instance, the origin of the quarrel in the past or why this situation is still happening, neither the rest of the characters, who are constantly making assumptions about it; fortunately, the style of writing is so impressive and straightforward (finally a straightforward book by Conrad) that somehow you can't help but keep reading in order to know the whole truth about this argument and whether or not both D'Hubert and Feraud can settle their differences in the end.
Speaking of Conrad's prose, it seems to be more readable and straight-to-the-point in this book than other works, as I can tell based on my own experience reading a couple of them before, such as <b>Youth</b> and <b>The Shadow-Line</b>, which were also good readings, despite their prose being a little bit confusing or dense at times.
In addition, the historical context is another element that is rather vivid and has its own importance inside the novel – those short yet beautifully written descriptions really make you feel a part of the story, which is, by the way, a common characteristic in Conrad's books. Lastly, I found the ending absolutely fascinating and almost exactly how I thought it would be, even it gave me a The-Aspern-Papers-ending vibe—one of my favorite Henry James short novels—whose similar characteristics, nonetheless, I would prefer not to mention.
In short, a great reading experience that makes me want to pick up more novels by Conrad in the near future, especially those ones that have nothing to do with the sea, since I believe I can also find beautiful gems there. Of course, I'd highly recommend this short story, even if you have not read any of his works before.
<i>No man succeeds in everything he undertakes. In that sense we are all failures. The great point is not to fail in ordering and sustaining the effort of our life. In this matter vanity is what leads us astray. It is our vanity which hurries us into situations from which we must come out damaged. Whereas pride is our safeguard by the reserve it imposes on the choice of our endeavour, as much as by the virtue of its sustaining power.</i>
<b>----</b>
<b>*</b> It is kind of funny, but I read this book under the title <b>The Point of Honor</b>, while I have seen there are other editions where the book is called <b>The Duel</b> – I don't know if the author eventually decided to change the book title, or it wasn't written in English and therefore there are more than one translation(?); I'm not sure and I couldn't find further information about it.
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