The unnamed narrator, a young seaman, is the first mate on a ship in Southeast Asia. Despite being satisfied with his position, he decides, on a whim, to end his career and head back to Europe. As he awaits for passage in the port of Singapore, he’s offered his first command: the captaincy of a ship left stranded in a nearby port without its commanding officer. His task is to bring the ship back to Singapore—an endeavor destined to become a rite of passage.

Joseph Conrad wrote this novel in 1915, originally titled First Command ; he serialized it starting September 1916, and finally published it as a book in 1917. The story is based on his own experiences, and it deals with themes of maturity, wisdom, and experience. It’s among Conrad’s most well-known novels and has served as the basis of two film adaptations.