Joseph Conrad

"Joseph Conrad" by Hugh Walpole is a biographical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the life and works of the acclaimed author Joseph Conrad, highlighting how his personal experiences and impressions of life shaped his literary art. Walpole intricately examines Conrad's backgrounds, including his Polish childhood, maritime life, and eventual establishment in England, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of his complex characters and themes. At the start of the biography, Walpole delves into Conrad's formative years, emphasizing the profound impact of his upbringing in Poland and his later life at sea. Notably, he discusses the tragedy of losing his parents at a young age and the sense of freedom he sought in maritime adventures, which became a recurrent theme in his writing. The opening portion encapsulates Conrad's journey from a troubled youth to a literary figure, introducing the notion of personal reminiscence as a powerful catalyst for his artistic expression. Walpole presents an insightful acknowledgment of the contrasting worlds that influenced Conrad's literary voice, from the quiet sophistication of English countryside life to the tumultuous nature of the sea. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, CBE was an English novelist. He was the son of an Anglican clergyman, intended for a career in the church but drawn instead to writing. Among those who encouraged him were the authors Henry James and Arnold Bennett. His skill at scene-setting and vivid plots, as well as his high profile as a lecturer, brought him a large readership in the United Kingdom and North America. He was a best-selling author in the 1920s and 1930s but has been largely neglected since his death.