The Rover

"The Rover" by Joseph Conrad is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Master-Gunner Peyrol, a seasoned and reticent sea captain who returns to his native France after decades of lawless life at sea, amidst the chaotic backdrop of the French Revolution. As Peyrol attempts to establish a quiet existence on shore, he grapples with his past and the values of a country forever changed by revolutionary fervor. The opening of the novel introduces Peyrol as he arrives in the Port of Toulon with a damaged ship. He experiences a mix of detachment and curiosity as he navigates the bustling quay filled with revolutionary fervor, where he is recognized as a figure of intrigue and wonder. The narrative reveals his internal conflict—his past as a "Brother of the Coast" is steeped in lawlessness, and yet he seeks a peaceful life away from the sea. As he prepares to go ashore, Peyrol reflects on a long and tumultuous journey, highlighting both his nostalgia for his childhood and the heavy burden of his unsavory past. This blend of character exploration, historical context, and the quest for identity establishes a rich foundation for the unfolding drama in the rest of the novel. (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.