After many years when I read many of Conrad’s novels I have come back to him with this book that contains three short and one longer tale, The Duel. In all of them an unforeseen event radically shapes the hero’s fate which he has to fight or resign to. The long novella ‘The Duel’ is by far the most psychological interesting.

Th cover design is outstanding! The red and white in the clothing of the two duellists is taken up by the text: just the author and title, nothing else. (VIII-20) 3 1/2* for this selection. ( )