Audiobooks by Joseph Conrad

"Heart of Darkness (1899) is a short novel by Joseph Conrad, written as a frame narrative, about Charles Marlow's life as an ivory transporter down the Congo River in Central Africa. The river is 'a mighty big river, that you could see on the map, resembling an immense snake uncoiled, with its head in the sea, its body at rest curving afar over a vast country, and its tail lost in the depths of the land.' In the course of his travel in central Africa, Marlow becomes obsessed with Mr. Kurtz. The story is a complex exploration of the attitudes people hold on what constitutes a barbarian versus a civilized society and the attitudes on colonialism and racism that were part and parcel of European imperialism. Originally published as a three-part serial story, in Blackwood's Magazine, the novella Heart of Darkness has been variously published and translated into many languages. In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Heart of Darkness as the sixty-seventh of the hundred best novels in English of the twentieth century. Short Summary Aboard the Nellie, anchored in the River Thames near Gravesend, England, Charles Marlow tells his fellow sailors about the events that led to his appointment as captain of a river-steamboat for an ivory trading company. He describes his passage on ships to the wilderness to the Company's station, which strikes Marlow as a scene of devastation: disorganized, machinery parts here and there, periodic demolition explosions, weakened native black men who have been demoralized, in chains, literally being worked to death, and strolling behind them a white Company man in a uniform carrying a rifle. At this station Marlow meets the Company's chief accountant who tells him of a Mr. Kurtz, and explains that Kurtz is a first-class agent."

Joseph Conrad (Author), XYZ Voices (Narrator)

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Under Western Eyes

"A gripping tale of espionage that influenced Graham Greene, Somerset Maugham and John le Carré, Under Western Eyes follows the story of Kyrilo Sidorovitch Razumov, an apolitical student who becomes a Czarist spy. Following a political assassination, he returns to his room to discover the culprit, Victor Haldin, who asks for help in making his escape. Fearing the authorities, Razumov betrays Haldin to the police, who then dispatch Razumov to Switzerland to spy on a group of Russian revolutionaries. While there, he meets Haldin’s sister, Natalia, with whom he falls in love, leading to feelings of loss and torment. Considered to be one of Conrad’s major works, Under Western Eyes is a cynical take on revolutionary movements and ideals that explores similar territory to The Secret Agent. Its feelings of menace and guilt are reminiscent of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, to which Under Western Eyes is widely seen as a response."

Joseph Conrad (Author), David Horovitch (Narrator)

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The Nature of a Crime

"A psychological confession wrapped in love, guilt, and existential dread. The Nature of a Crime is a haunting literary collaboration between Joseph Conrad and Ford Madox Ford, exploring the dark undercurrents of human morality and the elusive boundaries between crime and conscience. Told through a series of deeply personal letters, the narrative reveals a man on the verge of emotional and ethical collapse as he reflects on a hidden past, his relationship with a mysterious woman, and the consequences of his actions. Set in the early 20th century, this brief but emotionally powerful novel moves through themes of identity, secrecy, and societal constraint, ultimately raising the question: is the true crime an external act—or an inner betrayal? With eloquent prose and philosophical depth, The Nature of a Crime offers a moving meditation on human frailty and the burden of self-judgment."

Ford Madox Ford, Joseph Conrad (Author), Mark W. Cohan (Narrator)

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[French] - Un Anarchiste et L’Indicateur: Deux histoires d’anarchistes

"Un Anarchiste et L’Indicateur Deux histoires d’anarchistes Dans la première, un ouvrier finit au bagne et dans la seconde, un bourgeois boit du champagne ! Grâce à un ami, Conrad a découvert les milieux anarchistes de Londres. De ces rencontres, il en tirera deux récits : Un anarchiste : Dans une île de l'estuaire d'un grand fleuve sud-américain, un chasseur de papillons rencontre « un citoyen anarchiste ». Il nous raconte l'histoire de Crocodile, ce pauvre ouvrier français anarchiste malgré lui évadé du bagne de Cayenne, mécanicien sur un petit vapeur... L’indicateur : M.X nous raconte les aventures d'un groupe d'anarchistes infiltré par un informateur... Joseph Conrad né le 3 décembre 1857 à Berditchev (actuelle Ukraine, alors Empire russe), et mort le 3 août 1924 en Angleterre, est un écrivain polonais et britannique d'expression anglaise. Considéré comme l'un des plus grands écrivains de langue anglaise, il introduisit une sensibilité particulière dans la littérature anglaise. Il est l'auteur de romans et de nouvelles qui dépeignent des crises de l'individualité humaine au milieu d’un monde indifférent, impénétrable et amoral. Traduction en français de Philippe Neel Production et réalisation Patrick MEADEB et Annabelle DIAZ"

Joseph Conrad (Author), Philippe Lebeau (Narrator)

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[French] - Le Duel: Conte militaire

"La querelle légendaire entre deux officiers hussards de l’armée napoléonienne qui débute sur un malentendu trivial et se transforme en une obsession qui va façonner leur destin. Pendant qu'en Europe les guerres napoléoniennes font rage, les deux hommes se retrouvent à intervalles plus ou moins réguliers, afin de poursuivre leur duel. Conrad déploie son talent à explorer les tréfonds de l'âme humaine. Derrière l'action des duels à l'épée et au pistolet se trouve une réflexion sur l'honneur, l'orgueil et l'absurdité de certaines valeurs. Joseph Conrad né le 3 décembre 1857 à Berditchev (actuelle Ukraine, alors Empire russe), et mort le 3 août 1924 en Angleterre, est un écrivain polonais et britannique d'expression anglaise. Considéré comme l'un des plus grands écrivains de langue anglaise, il introduisit une sensibilité dans la littérature anglaise. Il est l'auteur de romans et de nouvelles qui dépeignent des crises de l'individualité humaine au milieu d’un monde indifférent, impénétrable et amoral. Illustration couverture Ilia Répine Production et réalisation Patrick MEADEB et Annabelle DIAZ Texte intégral. Traduction en français de Philippe Neel"

Joseph Conrad (Author), Philippe Lebeau (Narrator)

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Heart of Darkness

"'Your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others.' First published in 1899 and often considered a scathing critique of European colonialism in Africa, Heart of Darkness remains one of the finest, yet ambiguous, novels of the twentieth century. Introspective sailor Charles Marlow recounts a life-changing and deeply unsettling expedition to Congo as riverboat captain for a Belgian trading company. He is eager to find Kurtz – an allegedly progressive thinker and talented man – during his travels. The journey to Africa is long and arduous; the surrounding jungle is dense and oppressively quiet, causing havoc among the ship's crew. Marlow also begins to sense all is not well with Kurtz – the others seem to be fearful of him and he is rumoured to be ill. Before long, Marlow discovers the atrocities of the trading company's actions to be manifold, with Kurtz responsible. Native inhabitants of the area are treated abhorrently, overworked, abused and forced to live in squalor. A haunting tale which questions what lies beneath the sleek but fragile veneer of 'civilisation', Heart of Darkness is a horrifying reminder of the consequences of imperialism. This audio edition is brilliantly brought to life by Ben Allen. Joseph Conrad (1857 – 1924) was a British-Polish novelist short story writer. Thought of as one of the greatest writers in the English language, he is best known for his novels Lord Jim, Nostromo and The Secret Agent, along with the novella Heart of Darkness. His work often featured anti-heroic characters, and explored the impact of power and morality on the human psyche, set against the backdrop of British colonialism."

Joseph Conrad (Author), Ben Allen (Narrator)

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The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale

"Immerse yourself in the shadowy world of espionage and political intrigue with The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale by Joseph Conrad. Set in late 19th-century London, this gripping novel follows Adolf Verloc, a secret agent living a double life as a shopkeeper while covertly working for a foreign government. When Verloc is tasked with orchestrating an act of terrorism to destabilize society, his actions set off a tragic chain of events that threaten both his family and the fragile world he inhabits. Blending psychological depth with social commentary, Conrad explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the dark side of human nature. With its intense atmosphere and unforgettable characters, The Secret Agent remains a powerful reflection on politics, morality, and the cost of extremism. Start listening to The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale today and uncover a gripping story of secrets, sacrifice, and suspense."

Joseph Conrad (Author), Oliver Thompson (Narrator)

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[Spanish] - El agente secreto 'The Secret Agent'

"En 1906 un acontecimiento real, el intento de volar el Observatorio de Greenwich por parte de un anarquista llamado Martial Bourdin, inspiró a Joseph Conrad el tema de un relato magistral. Sobre el telón de fondo del Londres de comienzos de siglo, una ciudad monstruosa e indiferente, se desarrolla la historia de un fallido atentado que revela el turbio entramado formado por el terrorismo internacional, la acción de la policía y la diplomacia deshonesta. Una profunda ironía que raya en comicidad impregna este relato intenso y armónico, imprevisiblemente dominado por una figura femenina, en un comienzo marginal, a quien una pasión casi maternal conduce a la locura y la desesperación."

Joseph Conrad (Author), Ana Begoña Eguileor (Narrator)

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[Spanish] - El corazón de las tinieblas 'Heart of Darkness'

"Este relato es considerado uno de los más convulsivos análisis sobre el espíritu colonial de Occidente. En “El corazón de las tinieblas”, Conrad nos habla de hombres blancos enfrentándose a las incongruencias de sus propios métodos. Una oscura historia sobre el viaje del marinero Marlow por las aguas de un gran río africano, el Congo. Su misión: ir en busca de un agente europeo, Kurtz, un empresario que se había vuelto loco en medio de la jungla. Francis Ford Coppola se inspiró en esta novela para su película Apocalypse Now, aunque ambientada en la guerra de Vietnam."

Joseph Conrad (Author), Txemi del Olmo (Narrator)

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Heart of Darkness

"Heart of Darkness is a novella by Joseph Conrad, published in 1899, that explores the profound effects of imperialism and the darkness inherent in human nature. The story is narrated by Charles Marlow, a sailor who embarks on a journey into the Congo River basin in search of Kurtz, an enigmatic ivory trader. Marlow begins his tale aboard a British ship anchored on the Thames, where he reflects on his past experiences in Africa. He takes a job with a Belgian ivory trading company and travels to the Congo, initially filled with excitement and curiosity about the uncharted territories. However, upon arrival, he is confronted with the brutal realities of colonial exploitation—the suffering of native Africans forced into servitude and the moral decay of European agents."

Joseph Conrad (Author), Walter Miller (Narrator)

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[Polish] - Jądro ciemności

"Arcydzieło literatury światowej. „Jądro ciemności” to opowieść o podróży do kresu cywilizowanego świata i granicach własnej wyobraźni. Marlow, główny bohater powieści, tak jak sam Conrad przed laty, podróżuje rzeką niewielkim parostatkiem przez ogromną i pełną niebezpieczeństw afrykańską dżunglę, by dotrzeć do legendarnego agenta kolonii, Kurtza. Im bliżej celu, tym świat staje się mroczniejszy, wydarzenia coraz mnie zrozumiałe, a zło bliższe i niepokojąco wytłumaczalne. Podróż do serca dżungli, pełna okrutnych epizodów nieodwracalnie zmienia bohatera, stając się w istocie wyprawą do najmroczniejszych zakątków własnej duszy. A spotkanie z umierającym Kurtzem kończy się obłędem, zbliżając bohatera do tytułowego jądra ciemności."

Joseph Conrad (Author), Maciej Kowalik (Narrator)

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[French] - Au cœur des ténèbres

"Le fleuve Congo, dans 'Au cœur des ténèbres', est bien plus qu'un simple cours d'eau ; il est une métaphore de l'inconscient humain, de l'obscurité qui sommeille en chacun de nous. En remontant ce fleuve sinueux, Marlow entreprend un voyage intérieur, une exploration des profondeurs de son âme. Au fur et à mesure qu'il avance, les repères de la civilisation s'effacent, laissant place à un monde primitif et sauvage. Le personnage de Kurtz, l'homme blanc disparu au cœur de l'Afrique, incarne à la fois l'attrait et les dangers de l'inconnu. Il représente l'homme déchu, celui qui a cédé à ses instincts les plus sombres. Marlow, en le recherchant, se confronte à ses propres démons intérieurs. 'Au cœur des ténèbres' est une œuvre complexe et ambivalente, qui invite à une lecture multiple. C'est à la fois un récit d'aventure, une critique sociale et une exploration psychologique. Le roman de Conrad continue de fasciner les lecteurs par sa profondeur et sa modernité."

Joseph Conrad (Author), Aude Quenehen (Narrator)

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