After a failed fraud in Singapur, the dubious Englishman Peter Willems is saved by his old companion Captain Lingard. The captain, a very influential person on the Indonesian islands, gives Peter shelter in an small native village. But when Peter falls for the tribal chief's daughter, his selfishness leads to a betrayal of his savior. He reveals a secret Lingard at any costs wanted to keep for himself. In punishment for his cruel deed, Peter is banished on a desolate island.An Outcast of the Islands, originally published in 1896, is the second novel by Joseph Conrad. It was inspired by Conrad's work as mate on the steamship Vidar.Joseph Conrad was born in 1857 in former Poland. In 1886 he obtained British citizenship and two years later was appointed captain of the British merchant marine. His voyages to the Malay Peninsula and to the Congo Free State became the setting for his stories. Conrad published many tales and novels in English and is still regarded as one of the most brilliant authors in English literature. He died in 1924 in England.