A Smile of Fortune

»A Smile of Fortune«, originally published in 1912 in Conrad¿s volume of tales »Twixt Land and Sea«, tells the story of a young sea captain at the beginning of a promising career. His first mission is a voyage to the Indian Ocean where he is supposed to do lucrative trade with local merchants. He arrives at an island described as the »Pearl of the Ocean« where he makes the acquaintance of two very different brothers: one a respected tradesman, the other an ill-reputed and ruthless figure. The captain is torn between the two men but finally becomes involved with the dubious brother. When he realizes the scope of his engagement, it is too late to stop it ¿

Joseph Conrad was born in 1857 in former Poland. In 1886 he obtained British citizenship and two years later was appointed captain of the British merchant marine. His voyages to the Malay Peninsula and to the Congo Free State became the setting for his stories. Conrad published many tales and novels in English and is still regarded as one of the most brilliant authors in English literature. He died in 1924 in England.