2007-01-12 Claimed to be Conrad's masterpiece but, like many of his large works, a bit of a bore

This is, I know, considered by many influential old critics (such as QD Leavis, I think) to be one of the best novels ever, and Conrad's masterpiece. However, I have to disagree with both claims. I read this book years ago, when I was 16, after having read - and loved - Heart of Darkness. This one is so dense, difficult and laborious to read that I barely got through it. The whole process is so drawn out that it was a relief to get it over with.

For some reason, in my teens and early twenties, I used to say Conrad was my favourite novelist, but I don't know why. A lot of his work is like this - see The Secret Agent, for example. He is much better in his shorter works, such as Almayers Folly, Heart of Darkness and The Shadow Line. Lord Jim is the only example I know of a very good bigger book by Conrad. It's easier to read than the other bigger works and yet equally weighty in it's themes and psychological depth.