Nostromo
Roman. Übersetzt von Julian und Gisbert Haefs, mit einem Nachwort von Robert Menasse
📘 About This Book
Ein Meisterwerk der Moderne von frappierender Aktualität, zum 100. Todestag Joseph Conrads neu übersetzt, mustergültig kommentiert und mit einem Nachwort von Robert Menasse Im späten 19. Jahrhundert ist das südamerikanische Costaguana zerrissen von politischen Konflikten in- und ausländischer Mächte. Zwangsherrschaften, Putsche, Revolutionen wechseln einander ab: Doch egal, welche Clique gerade die Oberhand hat, am grundlegenden System von Unterdrückung und Ausbeutung ändert sich nichts. Der titelgebende Held des Romans, Nostromo, eigentlich Giovanni Battista Fizanda, Exil-Italiener, einer aus dem Volk, Kraftnatur und Tatmensch, «ein Mann von Charakter» (Joseph Conrad über seinen Helden), ist einer jener nützlichen Idioten, der sich von den Herrschenden instrumentalisieren lässt. In einem seiner politischsten Romane, angesiedelt in einer fiktiven Bananenrepublik, zeigt der Modernist Conrad, wie Profitgier und Machtwille einiger weniger ein Land zugrunde richten. In der Hauptfigur Nostromo wird auf faszinierend exemplarische Weise vorgeführt, dass der Einzelne in einem korrupten, ausbeuterischen System auf verlorenem Posten steht. Faszinierend modern ist an «Nostromo» nicht nur die Thematik von Machtmissbrauch und politischer Willkür, sondern auch die multiperspektivische Erzählweise, die Leserinnen und Leser zwingt, Identifikation und Parteinahme für die handelnden Figuren permanent zu hinterfragen. «In seiner Mischung von Liebe und Verachtung für das Leben und in der wirren Überzeugung, verraten worden zu sein, verraten zu sterben, ohne zu wissen, von was oder von wem, ist er immer noch einer aus dem Volk, ihr unbestrittener Großer Mann – mit einer eigenen privaten Geschichte», so charakterisiert Joseph Conrad seinen Helden im Vorwort zum Roman.
📖 Summary
Nostromo by Joseph Conrad stands as a towering masterpiece of modern literature, offering a narrative of striking contemporary relevance that examines the intricate web of politics, power, and human corruption. Set in the late nineteenth century, the novel unfolds in the fictional South American state of Costaguana. This turbulent region is relentlessly torn apart by bitter political conflicts involving both domestic factions and greedy foreign powers. The political landscape of Costaguana is a revolving door of tyrannical regimes, military coups, and sweeping revolutions. Yet, beneath the chaotic surface of shifting governance, a grim reality persists. No matter which specific political clique manages to gain the upper hand or seize control of the state, the fundamental system of oppression and exploitation remains utterly unchanged, crushing the hopes of the common people underneath the weight of ambition and greed. At the center of this vast and complex socio-political machinery is the titular hero of the novel, Nostromo, whose birth name is Giovanni Battista Fizanda. As an expatriate Italian and a man drawn from the very heart of the common populace, Nostromo is characterized as a force of nature and a man of action. Joseph Conrad famously described his complex protagonist as a man of character, highlighting the tragic irony of his fate. Nostromo ultimately functions as one of those useful idiots who allows himself to be thoroughly instrumentalized and manipulated by the ruling classes and foreign interests. He performs heroic feats for masters who care nothing for his humanity, binding his own fate to the glittering, corrupting symbols of wealth and power that ultimately lead to his moral and physical undoing. This modern classic has been made available anew through a meticulous translation, exemplary commentary, and a deeply insightful afterword by Robert Menasse, commemorating the centennial of Joseph Conrad's passing. Through its sweeping scope and deep psychological insight, the novel dissects the mechanics of imperialism, capitalism, and revolution. It portrays a world where human idealism is constantly hijacked by material greed, and where ordinary individuals are exploited to maintain the status quo of injustice. Conrad crafts a brilliant tapestry of characters, ranging from self-serving politicians and foreign financiers to idealistic visionaries and pragmatic workers, all caught within the gears of an unstoppable machine. The gripping narrative forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about how nations are built, how revolutions are subverted, and how the pursuit of wealth can erode the soul of both individuals and entire societies. Nostromo remains a timeless exploration of the human condition under the pressures of political turmoil, offering a mirror to modern geopolitical struggles that feels just as urgent today as it did when it was first conceived.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Striking contemporary relevance regarding political corruption and foreign intervention
Deeply developed characters and a compelling, complex protagonist
Masterful prose and atmospheric world-building of the fictional state of Costaguana
Enriched by modern translation, commentary, and insightful afterword by Robert Menasse
⚠️ Cons
Complex narrative structure and large cast of characters can be demanding to follow
Pacing can feel slow and dense for readers seeking fast-paced action
✍️ About the Author
Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a Polish-British author known for psychologically intense novels of colonialism and morality, most famously 'Heart of Darkness'.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Nostromo? +
The novel was written by Joseph Conrad.
When is the novel set? +
The story is set in the late nineteenth century.
Where does the story take place? +
The events unfold in the fictional South American country of Costaguana.
Who is the main character? +
The titular hero is Nostromo, an expatriate Italian also known as Giovanni Battista Fizanda.
What makes this particular edition notable? +
It features a new translation, exemplary commentary, and an afterword by Robert Menasse for Joseph Conrad's centennial.
