Name: Amy Foster
SKU: 60596362
Price: 345.00 ZAR
Availability: InStock
Author: Joseph Conrad
ISBN: 9781532804755

Type

Physical Book

Author

Joseph Conrad

Illustrated by

Edinson Saguez

Publisher

Createspace

Language

English

Pages

Format

Paperback

Dimensions

22.9x15.2x0.2 cm

Weight

0.06 kg.

ISBN13

9781532804755

Synopsis "Amy Foster"

"Amy Foster" is a short story by Joseph Conrad written in 1901, first published in the Illustrated London News (December 1901). A poor emigrant from Central Europe sailing from Hamburg to America is shipwrecked off the coast of England. The residents of nearby villages, at first unaware of the sinking, and hence of the possibility of survivors, regard him as a dangerous tramp and madman. He speaks no English; his strange foreign language frightens them, and they offer him no assistance. Eventually "Yanko Goorall" (as rendered in English spelling) is given shelter and employment by an eccentric old local, Mr. Swaffer. Yanko learns a little English. He explains that his given name Yanko means "little John" and that he was a mountaineer (a resident of a mountain area - a Goorall), hence his surname. The story's narrator reveals that Yanko hailed from the Carpathian Mountains. Yanko falls in love with Amy Foster, a servant girl who has shown him some kindness. To the community's disapproval, they marry. The couple live in a cottage given to Yanko by Swaffer for having saved his granddaughter's life. Yanko and Amy have a son whom Amy calls Johnny (after Little John). Amy, a simple woman, is troubled by Yanko's behavior, particularly his trying to teach their son to pray with him in his "disturbing" language. Several months later Yanko falls severely ill and, suffering from a fever, begins raving in his native language. Amy, frightened, takes their child and flees for her life. Next morning Yanko dies of heart failure. It transpires that he had simply been asking in his native language for water.

Joseph Conrad

(Author)

View Author's Page

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a Polish-British writer known for his tales about the sea, colonialism, and the psychological struggles of individuals facing adversity. His work is characterized by the exploration of themes such as morality, despair, and the absurdity of human existence. Born in Ukraine, Conrad spent much of his life as a sailor before turning to writing, which significantly influenced his narrative style.

Among his most notable works are Heart of Darkness (1899), Lord Jim (1900), and Nostromo (1904). Although he did not receive major awards during his lifetime, his influence on 20th-century literature is undeniable, being considered a precursor of modern narrative.

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