A retelling of a classic tale in a science fiction setting.

"You shall judge of a man by his foes as well as by his friends . . . " -- Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim

For those lucky enough to have picked up a copy of Second Chances during the four or so years it was available, you have a gem in your possession. In Second Chances, Susan Schwartz retells Joseph Conrad's Lord Jim, placing him in a distant future that admirably recreates the spirit of the original 19th century Pacific. Pride, fear, betrayal, love, and redemption cunningly blended in a heady mix of emotions that brought tears to my eyes more than once.

Like the original, Second Chances presents an officer who has erred in a moment of weakness. Humanity in general sets him aside as a pariah, unable to overcome the callousness of that initial, momentary, lapse. Even Jim, himself, is unable to defend himself or forgive his own error despite the immensity of his later gifts to his fellow humans. Instead he wraps his failure around him like armour and runs into obscurity to escape his notoriety. Only a small number of people, including his patron (who is the primary narrator), can see beyond the facade of failure with which he cloaks himself.

Second Chances is a fresh and vital take on the original. For those who have read Lord Jim, I think you'll be pleased by the homage.