Chance
Price: $200.00
Hard Cover. London: Methuen & Co., 1914. First Edition. Good.
First edition, second issue, with tipped in title page, "First published in 1914" to title-page verso, and 8 pages of ads dated "Autumn 1913" to rear of book. Publisher's green cloth, spine titled and decorated in gilt. Good, with very light toning to spine, a touch of soiling to front board and spine, corners lightly bumped and worn, Alfred L. and Sara Bernheim bookplate to front pastedown, and cracked rear hinge with old tape repair. Overall, a suitable copy. Wise 22. Chance tells the story of Flora de Barral, the daughter of a banker who is sent to jail for mismanaging his clients' money. Flora struggles to make her way in the world before falling in love with Captain Anthony and going to sea with him. When her father is released from prison, he joins up with the couple and a dramatic conclusion takes place. With this book, Conrad moves away from the political intrigue of his two previous novels, The Secret Agent (1907) and Under Western Eyes (1911), and tackles feminism and financial crisis, subjects more relatable to the reading public. Perhaps as a result of this relatability, Chance was a breakout success for Conrad, earning him substantial fame and fortune for the first time in his career. Notably, one of the book's narrators is Charles Marlow, Conrad's alter-ego who is featured in some of the author's greatest works, including Heart of Darkness (1899) and Lord Jim (1900). Item #JC073
