The Nigger of the Narcissus

First published in 1897, "The Nigger of the Narcissus" by Joseph Conrad follows James Wait, a black West Indian, as he embarks on a voyage aboard the merchant ship Narcissus from Bombay to London. Shortly after setting sail, Wait falls gravely ill, leading to divisions among the crew. Recognized as one of Conrad's most significant works, the novel's provocative title has contributed to its decline in readership in contemporary times.