A diverse and multinational volume, this book showcases the passages of Joseph Conrad's narratives across geographical and disciplinary boundaries, focusing on the transtextual and transcultural elements of his fiction. Featuring contributions from distinguished and emergent Conrad scholars, it unpacks the transformative meanings which Conrad's narratives have achieved in crossing national, cultural and disciplinary boundaries. Featuring studies on the reception of Conrad in modern China, an exploration of Conrad's relationship with India, a comparative study of the hybrid art of Conrad and Salman Rushdie, and the responses of Conrad's narratives to alternative media forms, this volume brings out transtextual relations among Conrad's works and various media forms, world narratives, philosophies, and emergent modes of critical inquiry. Gathering essays by contributors from Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Norway, Poland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, this volume constitutes an inclusive, transnational networking of emergent border-crossing scholarship.

Lyon's "Vieux Lyon" (Old Town) is a gourmand's delight that is located at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers. This city of beautiful Renaissance houses is one of the most important in France and has many historical attractions to see including the Roman City and the Notre Dame de Fourviere Cathedral. The French Alps lie to the north of Provence and the French Riviera and are within easy to reach of Lyon, Geneva, Grenoble and Nice. The region is one of the most popular skiing destinations in the world and is called the "snow-capped roof" of Europe. The resort of Chamonix was the setting of the first Winter Olympics in 1924. The capital of the region is Grenoble, a city where the first stirrings of the French Revolution took place. Other towns of note include Annecy, with its beautiful backdrop of Lac d'Annecy and Briancon, the highest town in France.

The French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) is stunningly located on the beautiful coast of southeastern France. Adjacent to Monaco and bordering the Mediterranean, the French Riviera delights vacationers of all ages. Tourists visit the upscale resort towns as well as special events like the Nice Carnival and the Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco. The French Riviera town of Cannes conjures up images of glamour, celebrity and sunshine. With its famous annual film festival it is regarded as the Hollywood of France. So pack your sunscreen, some comfy-yet-chic evening wear, and your best pair of sunglasses and be prepared for a much deserved vacation

When planning a trip to France, your mind's eye will no doubt be drawn to the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe on Paris' Champs-Elysees or Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa. You might imagine spending a leisurely morning in one of the iconic Paris cafes where many intellectuals once gathered, or of eating a juicy steak in a quiet bistro in a countryside village. Pictures of impressive chateaux may come to mind as well as vineyards stretching into the distance. Or perhaps, you'll think of the sun-kissed resorts along the French Riviera. But these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the appeal of France. France is the most popular tourist destination in the world attracting over 85 million visitors in 2013. The country is one of Europe's most geographically diverse and it contains some of the most famous and interesting attractions on the European continent. Visit the incomparable Paris, the majestic French Riviera, the glorious coastal beaches, the winter sport destinations of the French Alps and the castles of the Loire Valley and many other places. The country is famous for its food and wine, as well as its fashion, history and culture.

Burgundy is the hilly area of eastern France and is known worldwide for its fine wines. One-third of the region's wine is red ("rouge") and two-thirds white ("blanc"). The Burgundy region has five villages distinguished as "the prettiest villages of France" as well as three World Heritage Sites and a unique medieval building project. Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is just over an hour and half by high speed train (TGV) from Paris or a more sedate train journey from Basel or Geneva. Alsace is a particularly beautiful part of France. Castles and ruins dot the hillsides and the towns retain an old European look and feel. The region has nearly as much German influence as French with restaurants serving some of the finest sauerkraut and beer found outside of Germany. Alsace is one of the smallest and most densely populated provinces in France. Located in the upper east corner of the country, the region shares its borders with both Germany and Switzerland. Alsace's capital, Strasbourg, is a hub of political activity with many European Union organisations based in the city. The region has always been known for its fine wine and the 'Route de Vin' is a small road that connects the wineries and vineyards in the region's cities and towns.

The historic French province of Champagne is located 160 kilometers east of Paris and has a long-standing tradition of viticulture dating from the first century. Indeed, there is no other place in the world to legally name a drink "champagne." Cavernous chalk tunnels stretch for kilometers under the modern cities of Reims and Epernay and are used as cellars for millions of bottles of the precious drink. Next door, the small, scenic European nation of Luxembourg is home to some of the leading European Union (EU) institutions. The European Investment Bank, Court of Justice, General Court and the Court of Auditors are located here as are many of the departments of the European Commission.

A visit to Brittany will leave you feeling like you're in a Celtic fairytale with many towns retaining their medieval architecture. Its dramatic windswept coastline changes with the weather from hauntingly, beautiful to utterly sublime - made all the more mysterious when you learn about Brittany's swashbuckling pirate past. Alternatively, a night in Rennes, Quimper or Brest is sure to be a relaxing experience of fine food, wine and entertainment. To the east, Normandy was the famed landing place for the World War II D-Day liberating forces. With port cities like Le Havre and Cherbourg bordering the English Channel in the north, to the picturesque Mont Saint-Michel and Bayeux (site of the famous Tapestry), Normandy is a wondrous place to visit.

In the southwestern corner of France on the Atlantic Ocean is the French Basque region where you can visit a number of beautiful seaside resort towns. Most famous is Biarritz, which was a favourite of Sir Winston Churchill as well as both French and English Royalty. Nearby is the city of Toulouse, a leading European centre of the aviation and space industries. Toulouse grew on the banks of the River Garonne and is the fourth largest in France (after Paris, Lyon, and Marseille). The city is rich in Gothic, Roman and Renaissance architecture.

Marseille is a major city in southern France and is the largest port city in the Mediterranean and the French Riviera. The city is a popular port of call for cruise ships and has many differences from Paris. You may even think you are in another country with its cliffs, fjords (clanques), sea views, beaches and harbours. The nearby ancient city of Montpellier is scenically built on two hills with the highest point at Place de Peyrou. This once sleepy and quiet French city is today a vibrant and scenic city influenced by Algerian immigrants and their colourful Arab market culture.

Tourists have long enjoyed the sunshine and the French "joie de vivre" in Nice, the elegant city on the French Riviera. The city is the second-most visited tourist destination in France with four million arrivals a year. Its Mediterranean beaches stretch for miles along the famous "Promenade des Anglais." Close to Nice and the French Riviera, the small, exclusive country of Monaco offers a touch of elegance and a taste of the high life. Monte Carlo features elegant resorts, a world-famous casino and just about everything the rich and famous look for. Monte Carlo is also known for its annual events including the Tennis Masters Series, Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo Rally.

One can't help but be intoxicated by Paris. Maybe it's the steps you climb to the top of the Montmartre, the aroma of a freshly baked pain au chocolat from the patisserie on the corner, or the omnipresent chic of Parisians strolling down the Champs-Elysees. There is something special that makes Paris the most visited city in the world. The Loire Valley is world-famous for its historic towns, chateaus, Renaissance architecture and fine wines. The area includes Nantes, Orleans, Tours and Chartres as well as the appealing Royal towns of Amboise, Blois, Chinon and Chenonceaux. If you want to experience some of the country's most beautiful landscapes and chateaus along with great wine and food then look no further.

Bordeaux evokes rich sensations with many. At the heart of the region is Bordeaux, the city that wine built. It's a place that reflects its elegant inheritance through its art, architecture and love of the good things in life. The fine wines of Bordeaux have exerted an important influence on the regions culinary excellence and there is a touch of eternity to Bordeaux's reputation. The Romans introduced winemaking to the region and, two thousand years later, Bordeaux continues to cultivate some of the best wines in the world. The Dordogne region combines the best of rural France with a passion for good food and wine, the romantic legacy of medieval castles and an abundance of pretty villages. Its gentle hills and dark fairy-tale forests offer a relaxing escape from the rush of modern life. For food lovers, the Dordogne is home to the black truffle as well as to the controversial foie gras. Other regional favourites include walnuts, chestnuts and wild mushrooms. The city of Bergerac is visited by gourmands from around the world.

Provence's natural beauty endures as resiliently as its Post-Impressionistic artwork now featured in faraway galleries. Fields of purple lavender and vivid sunflowers have been splashed across many a canvas in an attempt to capture the region's natural beauty. Paul Cezanne was born in Provence and the region once inspired Van Gogh, Gaugin, Monet, Renoir, Matisse and Picasso. The port of Marseille is older than France itself and the city of Avignon was once the centre of Christendom. Wherever you go in the Languedoc-Roussillon region you will experience its fine cuisine and Languedoc is now one of the most important wine-producing regions in all of France. Since the 1970's favourite tourist destinations include Palavas-les-Flots, Grau-du-Roi and Cap d'Agde. Visitors also come to experience the art and the history of the region with cities like Carcassonne and Beziers attracting many.