The tale begins, like many books about Konrad, with a group of travelers gathered together and exchanging maritime stories. Falk is subtle and minimalistic, and perhaps only the writer of the great Conrad can still do this; a calm, introspective story, which, however, is worth reading. This is a charming romantic tale in which Conrad's usual gloomy, psychological fabrications, but evocative, but truly pedestrian story of a Marine... with a dark, primitive twist.