Victory
an Island Tale
by Joseph Conrad · first published 1915
33% recommend67% neutral
Axel Heyst, a dreamer and a restless drifter, believes he can avoid suffering by cutting himself off from others. Then he becomes involved in the operation of a coal company on a remote island in the Malay Archipelago, and when it fails he turns his back on humanity once more. But his life alters when he rescues a young English girl, Lena, from Zangiacomo's Ladies' Orchestra and the evil innkeeper Schomberg, taking her to his island retreat. The affair between Heyst and Lena begins with her release, but the relationship shifts as Lena struggles to save Heyst from detachment and isolation. Feat
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2008–2026Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens
Recommended by 9 · mentioned by 409 recommend · 40 mention9 recommend · 409 recommend
2008–2026The Brothers Karamazov
Fiódor Dostoievski, Constance Garrett
Recommended by 86 · mentioned by 18786 recommend · 187 mention86 recommend · 18786 recommend
2007–2026War and Peace
Lev Tolstoi
Recommended by 78 · mentioned by 37078 recommend · 370 mention78 recommend · 37078 recommend
Victory - Joseph Conrad Notes from the Underground - Dostoyevsky Brothers Karamazov - Dostoyevsky (there is a bunch of other brilliant Dostoyevsky books)
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite books or essays written at least 100 years ago?” ↗…in the anything above 400-600 wpm is in the bullshitters club. Hi there. I am the walking talking proof you're wrong. But I don't know how I can prove it to you. I read this: https://www.amazon.com/Victory-Island-Tale-Penguin-Classics/... In 2-2.5 hours. I read this: https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Gravity-Mesklinite-Book-Maste... In half an hour, and that was for pleasure.
on “People who are good at reading have different brains: study” ↗…push. Good to know that even as a myopic 55YO I can still do half that without trying. Points of comparison: I originally read Hal Clement's classic Mission of Gravity in about 25min, and Joseph Conrad's Victory in about 3 hours.
on “The Lone Banana Problem in AI” ↗I had begun the 7th Expanse book, Persepolis Rising, but got distracted by a copy of Joseph Conrad's Victory I found lying around, so I'm half way through that. I recently finished Gibson's Mona Lisa Overdrive. The Expanse have been great, but I think I will be good and ready to say good bye when I'm done…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading?” ↗