In the late nineteenth century Conrad wrote his classic story of a man who dared stray far from his cultural and social foundations. In Heart of Darkness, the protagonist, Kurtz, severed familial ties and devoted himself to an ambitious excursion into a world unknown to him both geographically and psychologicaly. Conrad had Kurtz pay the ultimate and horror filled price of his willful self indulgence. In fact the cautionary tale had existed as fable for centuries. But in Conrad's century the opportunity was available not only to super-heroes of myth, but to ordinary men as well, in Europe and the Americas. Women were, however, almost exclusively forbidden to partake of this tempting fruit. To do so was to go adventuring into the wilderness and forsake all security, respect, and societal standing. A century after Conrad, it is not only possible but considered admirable for women to break through the standards and norms of society in pursuit of their personal visions and dreams. But, they too may now be required to pay the penalty for hubris and excess.

So has gone the life of Annabell Gordon, daughter of a tightly knit Texas family descended from pioneers, a family which like many has formed rigid bonds, traditions, and customs that are almost calculated to alienate many of her gerneration. She breaks free-or thinks she has. Her story is one of courage, ambition, willfulness, and tragedy.

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