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Youth

Critique • Quotes

Youth original book coverFirst edition, 1902
Publication details ▽ Publication details △

First publication
1898

Literature form
Story

Genres
Literary

Writing language
English

Author's country
England

Length
Approx. 14,000 words

Notable lines

This could have occurred nowhere but in England, where men and sea interpenetrate, so to speak—the sea entering into the life of most men, and the men knowing something or everything about the sea, in the way of amusement of travel, or of bread-winning.

— First line

"O youth! The strength of it, the faith of it, the imagination of it!"

 

"To me she was not an old rattle-trap carting about the world a lot of coal for a freight—to me she was the endeavor, the test, the trial of life. I think of her with pleasure, with affection, with regret—as you would think of someone dead you have loved. I shall never forget her.... Pass the bottle."

 

And we all nodded at him [...] our weary eyes looking still, looking always, looking anxiously for something out of life, that while it is expected is already gone—has passed unseen, in a sigh, in a flash—together with the youth, with the strength, with the romance of illusions.

— Last line

 

Critique • Quotes

See also:

Open Boat

Kidnapped

Buy the book:

Best of Conrad: Typhoon and Youth

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