Overview
The Children of the Sea (1897) is a novella by Joseph Conrad. The story originally appeared with a title featuring a racial slur, a subject of controversy even before Chinua Achebe published his monumental essay “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness.’” Often considered the first major work of Conrad’s career, The Children of the Sea is often read as an allegory on the dangers of individualism and the moral shortcomings of modern humanity. The novella is also notable for its preface, in which Conrad provides a brief-yet-stirring manifesto on the art of literature: “A work that aspires, however humbly, to the condition of art should carry its justification in every line.” On board the Narcissus, a merchant ship bound from Bombay to London, a West Indian man by the name of James Wait lies below deck suffering from tuberculosis. Because of the sudden onset of his illness, some of the sailors believe he is faking his condition in order to avoid work. When the ship capsizes in a storm near the Cape of Good Hope, a group of brave men goes below deck to rescue Wait from near-certain death. As the weather improves enough for the Narcissus to be righted, suspicion regarding the Afro-Caribbean man’s health threatens a mutiny among the crew. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Joseph Conrad’s The Children of the Sea is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry The Children of the Sea - 9781513218229, we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of The Children of the Sea - 9781513218229.