The Arrow of Gold: A Story Between Two Notes

"The Arrow of Gold: A Story Between Two Notes" by Joseph Conrad is a novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around a young man who reflects on his youth and a pivotal adventure that begins in Marseilles and intersects with the political upheaval of Don Carlos de Bourbon's Carlist campaign in Spain. The protagonist's journey into an unfamiliar world is triggered by a correspondence from a childhood friend, rekindling memories and setting the stage for personal exploration and dramatic encounters. At the start of the novel, the unnamed protagonist finds himself idle and reflective during a carnival in Marseilles, where he observes a captivating masked woman amidst the chaotic celebrations. This moment of solitude introduces him to themes of nostalgia and the vitality of youth. Soon, he is drawn into conversations with two intriguing characters, Mills and Captain Blunt, who discuss the political situation in Spain and the enigmatic figure of Dona Rita, a woman with a mysterious past linked to art and rebellion. The early chapters set the tone for a tale woven with personal stories and historical context, hinting at the protagonist's involvement in larger political currents and his complex feelings towards the alluring Dona Rita. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British novelist and story writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and although he did not speak English fluently until his twenties, he became a master prose stylist who brought a non-English sensibility into English literature. He wrote novels and stories, many in nautical settings that depict crises of human individuality in the midst of what he saw as an indifferent, inscrutable and amoral world.