NostromoNostromo
Score Classic
What it's about
In Costaguana, an imaginary South American republic, the San Tomé silver mine owned by an Englishman, Charles Gould, is the most valuable thing in the country. When revolution breaks out, the town entrusts its silver to Nostromo, an Italian sailor famous for being incorruptible. What he does with it, and what it does to him, is the heart of a vast story about money, power and politics.
Why it's worth reading
It's on both the Modern Library and Bokklubben lists of the greatest books. Conrad considered it his greatest achievement.
You'll love it if you liked
The Power and the Glory
The Sheltering Sky
The Heart of the MatterGood to know
It's long, with a confusing timeline that jumps back and forth, especially in the opening section. Persistence pays off.
By the numbers
- Readers14 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics82 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller11 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous
If you like this, read next
Gone with the Wind
The Brothers Karamazov
The Thorn Birds
The Age of Innocence
The Great Gatsby
MiddlemarchExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Nostromo worth reading?
Yes. It's on both the Modern Library and Bokklubben lists of the greatest books. It ranks #1,778 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Nostromo about?
In Costaguana, an imaginary South American republic, the San Tomé silver mine owned by an Englishman, Charles Gould, is the most valuable thing in the country. When revolution breaks out, the town entrusts its silver to Nostromo, an Italian sailor famous for being incorruptible. What he does with it, and what it does to him, is the heart of a vast story about money, power and politics.
How long does it take to read Nostromo?
About 14 hours (575 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Nostromo?
If you liked it, try The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene, The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles or The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene.