Chance: A Tale in Two Parts

By: Joseph Conrad

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

“Being a woman is a terribly difficult trade since it consists principally of dealings with men." (Joseph Conrad, Chance)

Flora de Barral, the daughter of a bankrupt businessman and swindler, must find her own way in the world when her father is convicted of financial speculation. Unfortunately, this is no easy thing for a single and vulnerable young woman in turn-of-the-century London.

Originally published serially starting in 1912, Chance is told chiefly by Conrad’s regular narrator Charles Marlow, who is helped along by some other very observant characters. Together, these narrators unfold the story of Flora’s desperate attempts to navigate society and contend with the difficulties of forever relying on the compassion of others for her welfare, a compassion that rarely comes without certain strings attached.

Flora must find a way to maintain her dignity and find happiness in a world that, frankly, does not seem to want her to have either. A commercial success thanks to Conrad’s timely focus on “the New Woman” and his exploration of the new fad of financial speculation, Chance explores what a woman can and must do in such a world when she has “no resources but in herself. Her only means of action is to be what she is”.

Public Domain (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Was there really such an age?

The characters in this novel talk endlessly and intelligently about motive and the quality of emotion (after action.) Conrad is so good that it's endlessly interesting

Take a chance on Chance

Stefan Rudnicki continues to be my favorite narrator. I could listen to him read the phone book, tbh. He brings classics to life for me. Great storytelling on Conrad’s part as well.

Attractive characters.

Rather dramatic but an excellent window into the customs and manners of late Victorian society. Good nautical background. The main subject is the rigid societal structure with regard to unattached young women. Still has validity today.

A great match of substance and performance

Conrad’s focused settings and psychological acuity meet the articulate resonance of Stefan Rudnicki’s timbre in unexpected moments to add emotional dimensions to Conrad’s complex portraits. Listen for the jewel-like moments when Rudnicki surprises you with this ear-candy that adds emphasis to Conrad’s architecture.

Horrible vocal fry in narrator

The narrator’s voice was way too deep with vocal fry that was horrible to listen to at any volume