Joseph Conrad is most famous for the book "Heart of Darkness" (1902), for which he combined romanticism in his use of exotic locales with realistic detail, and thus included attributes of two of the major movements in art and literature of the 19th century. He also stands astride the two centuries in his use of impressionistic technique.

At the age of 15, Conrad intended to become a sailor. Fourteen years later he had become master of his own ship. In this period he learned the English language and became a British citizen. He retired from the sea in 1894 abd published his first novel "Almayer's Folly" the next year.

A succession of novels followed. Typically, Conrad placed his characters in circumstances--at sea or in the jungle--where their values are put to the ultimate test because there are no external constraints upon them. Conrad believed that human beings are shapers of their own destinies and that life is always treacherous, but internal disipline and work can enable one somehow to maintain the integrity of his soul.

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