The Chain of Chance


Book Description

An ex-astronaut investigates a string of potential murders in this novel by the Kafka Prize–winning author of Solaris. Vacation is supposed to be relaxing. But while traveling in Naples, several American tourists die in a most macabre and unusual way: committing suicide in a fit of madness. The cases are too similar to be coincidental, and the prevailing theory soon assumes that a serial poisoner is on the loose. Called in to investigate, and stem the rash of death before it becomes an epidemic, is a former astronaut from the States. As he follows the path of the last victim, he is confronted with a mystery that proves the truth is always stranger than fiction—and that we are all casualties of fortune in the end. Called “a Jorge Luis Borges for the Space Age, who plays in earnest with every concept of philosophy and physics, from free will to probability theory,” Stanislaw Lem now tackles the suspense genre with his famed intensity and intelligence, weaving a taut and enigmatic tale as only a great novelist can (The New York Times Book Review).




The Chain of Chance


Book Description

"On a trail leading from Naples to Rome to Paris, the ex-astronaut barely escapes numerous threats on his life. Having set himself up as a potential victim, he realizes that he may now be the target of a deadly conspiracy - and that the conspiracy is not the work of a criminal mind but a manifestation of the laws of nature. The population has numerically exceeded its critical mass; certain patterns have begun to emerge from the chaotic workings of society.




The Chain of Chance


Book Description




The Chain of Chance


Book Description




The World of Chance


Book Description




Chance


Book Description

Young Flora de Barral, is the daughter of a man whose sudden bankruptcy and conviction, have forced her to face a harsh and uncertain reality. Chance is a clever examination of risk and the impact of unforeseen circumstance. Chance features Conrad’s signature narration as it describes the experiences of major and minor characters, including Flora de Barral. She is a young woman who has suffered the consequences of her father’s many misdeeds. This includes social and economic scrutiny, which has made it difficult for her to build a new life. Despite critics, Flora weds a man called Captain Anthony and the couple attempt to navigate their unconventional relationship. Joseph Conrad attempts to expand his literary horizons with Chance. Unlike his previous works, Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness, this novel investigates a woman’s position in contemporary society. It’s a unique exploration of the feminist view within a patriarchal structure. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Chance is both modern and readable.




Solaris


Book Description




Chance


Book Description

One of Joseph Conrad's most popular works, this rich, complex tale provides an account of the woebegone heiress Flora de Barral, whose dearth of life experience has left her virtually incapable of caring for herself. Narrated from several different points of view, this book is a fine example of the literary virtuosity that has prompted many critics to name Conrad as one the greatest English fiction stylists.




Chance in Chains


Book Description

"pushed from one to the other, marked and annotated in the margin with pencil. Suddenly Deschamps leant back in his chair. "Yes," he said, "there can be no doubt about it. We're on the track, if we have not already discovered the most revolutionary theory in wireless telegraphy that the world has known as yet! What we know now, at nine o'clock on a November evening in a power station in Paris, might alter the whole course of life and society all over the world." The Englishman nodded, with less excited but perfectly sincere agreement. "Very well, then," cried Deschamps, "will the world ever benefit by our [...]."




The Chain Letter


Book Description

Livvie isn’t superstitious like her best friend, Joyce, who thinks everything is bad luck. So Livvie isn’t worried about tearing up the chain letter and throwing it away–until she’s humiliated in gym class, falls down her back stairs, and gets invited to Thanksgiving dinner at Peter Finch’s house. Peter’s dad has crooked teeth, a plastic wonderland in his front yard, and some kind of secret up in his study. There is no way Livvie wants Phil Finch to date her mom. But it’s hard work keeping their families apart–especially when Livvie is assigned to work on the sixth-grade snow maze project with Peter. Clearly, Joyce was right: breaking the chain was a huge mistake. And the only way to set things straight is to find out who sent the letter in the first place. . . . Rich in humor and suspense, Julie Schumacher’s absorbing novel is about friendship, choices, and the kind of luck that really matters.