Classics · EpicIn the South American republic of Costaguana, a silver mine's wealth fuels revolutions, and a longshoreman guards its silver
Nostromo
A silver mine in a South American republic draws politics and rebels toward a port city
The setting is the fictional South American republic of Costaguana, which resembles Colombia, mainly the port city of Sulaco. Charles Gould, owner of the San Tomé silver mine, backs a government he hopes will bring stability, but the mine's wealth fuels new revolutions. Nostromo, whose real name is Giovanni Battista Fidanza, is a trusted Italian longshoreman entrusted with protecting the mine's silver from the rebel forces. It was first serialized in T.P.'s Weekly and published in 1904.
More about this book
Who
Nostromo, Charles Gould and his wife Emilia, Martin Decoud, Dr. Monygham and Giorgio Viola.
World
Costaguana, a fictional South American republic, mainly the port of Sulaco.
What makes it different
Conrad drew on a story he heard as a young sailor about a man who stole a lighter-full of silver. The spacecraft Nostromo in the film Alien is named after it.
Feel
Sweeping and complex.
Page count and cover shown for: Selected edition
Further reading
- NostromoWikipedia