Conrad in Perspective

Zdzislaw Najder, one of the world's leading authorities on Joseph Conrad and author of the major biography Joseph Conrad: A Chronicle (1983), is widely acclaimed for his particular insights into Conrad's Polish background. The fruits of thirty years of Conrad study appear in this landmark volume of his essays, which explore a wide range of topics: Conrad's national and cultural heritage; his fictions, from the unfinished 'Sisters' and Lord Jim to The Secret Agent; his attitude towards Russia in general and Dostoevsky in particular; his concepts of man and society; and the role of the idea of honour in his work. In a series of more general essays Najder goes on to place Conrad's work within a broad European philosophical, political and literary context. Conrad in Perspective offers new insights into the life and work of one of the twentieth century's greatest novelists by one of his most perceptive critics.

'As a Pole, with deep knowledge not only of Polish history and culture but also of the whole tradition of European literature and thought, Najder comes closer to Conrad than anyone else conceivably could. As a result, he writes of Conrad with an inwardness, a familiarity, an authority, which cannot be equalled. For Conrad studies he is, really, indispensable.' Tony Tanner, 'Zdzislaw Najder is not only one of the best Conrad critics, but the one who speaks with the most authority on the matter of Conrad's background. He, if anyone, should be able to dispel that Forsterian 'mist'. And, in the sixteen short essays which make up Conrad in Perspective, he goes a long way towards doing so, at least in relation to the complex and fascinating question of what might be called the Conradian literary genes.' The Times Literary Supplement, 'All of the … essays are admirably clear, neatly structured and cogently argued. All have an original point to make. And all are marked by enthusiasm for their subject. Even the most jaded Conrad reader will find much that is worthwhile in them.' Panorama