Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad

This book features the same narrator as Heart of Darkness, Marlowe, and again, I was struck by the sophisticated forms of narration surrounding the story (this one starts in third person with a narrator who conceals Jim's loss of honor and then moves to Marlowe, telling the story after dinner). I found myself really caring about Jim by the end. It's a masterful meditation on what constitutes honor and sticking up for those to whom you've pledged responsibility or loyalty, even if you can't fulfill that loyalty in ways they'll understand. Generally a beautiful book.