The complexity and richness of 'Nostromo' are overwhelming. I found it extraordinary that a novel that narrates the history of a country could at the same time provide such a deep psychological investigation of its characters. We are sometimes taken through years and countries, and other times exposed to thorough discussions of specific characters' feelings and motivations. These impossible transitions between scales occur smoothly due to Conrad's masterful storytelling. I became very attached to certain characters, specifically Martin Decoud and Giorgio Viola.

All this praise being given, I should mention that 'Nostromo' was a very hard read for me, often felt extremely slow paced and took me almost a month to finish.