Bat Goddess! Lightening strikes twice! First margaritas, now you've mentioned one that I have been tempted to engage in so many times but... The Callahan Crosstime Saloon series!,, Is it that good? I'll accept your recommendation. Yes! Heinlein! and Yes Le Guin!

robo, I find a lot in common between Conrad and Melville. Never forget that they are works of fiction even though they are based on actual experiences and occurrences. Some of it that seems stultifying is in there for just that reason: to convey the stultifying nature of the environment and the tedium of the occupation(s). Sorry for the drift but we live in a high paced time like no other in history and it changes our perspective (ah, you probably already knew that).

I wish I still had a couple of my H.P.Lovecraft books...all gone.