Heart of Darkness (Dover Thrift Editions) by Joseph Conrad Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Heart of Darkness (Dover Thrift Editions)
Book Review: Free SF Reader
Summary: 3 Stars
There is both a literal and a metaphorical heart of darkness here as man journeys from boring old England to the unknown Belgian Congo. That unknown is the physical heart of darkness.
The other heart is the psychology of the man himself, and the man that he meets there.
Book Review: A Difficult Story of Imperial Colonialism and the Individual
Summary: 4 Stars
It should be noted immediately that "Heart of Darkness" is not an action packed morality tale like its cinematic cousin "Apocalypse Now", but an excursion into literary techniques such as symbolism and metaphor. As a result, many high school students and English under-grads are put to task to decode Conrad's frequently splendid, but occasionally arcane, use of English. Even if you are like me, (i.e. not a big fan of heavy symbolism, who prefers more literal writing) you will still enjoy this book with a little work.
Heart of Darkness takes place sometime around the turn of the 19th Century. The story is narrated by a worldly and morally ambiguous seafarer named Marlow. Marlow tells us, in great detail, about a voyage he took up the Congo River and his observations and tribulations thereof.
*Some Spoilers Follow*
A main theme to think about is Conrad's repeated thrashing of 19th Century Imperial Colonialism. There are numerous references throughout the book, including the title, of the moral ambiguity, discovery, and tension between "civilized" nations and "primitive" ones and, more importantly, applying this idea allegorically to an individual's internal struggle with his/her own individuality and moral compass.
On the negative side, this book is often over-analyzed to incomprehensibility as eager students and teachers find dubious meanings in admittedly confusing areas. I tend to chalk this up to unfortunate paragraph structure and disappointing anticlimaxes such as Marlow's visits with Kurtz.
Regardless, Conrad wrote a fine tale with historical relevance and personal insight. The trip up the river is especially brilliant. However, do not expect an action packed tale of heroes and villains, but rather think about what the "Heart of Darkness" means.
4/5
Book Review: A testament.
Summary: 1 Stars
This novel is a testament to the fact that Joseph Conrad's first language was not english. Easy to comprehend and inordinately difficult to read. It's emphasis on visual clarity means that you spend so much time imaging dark gloomy and oppresive that the story (what little there is) is quickly subsumed by the over descrpitive nature of Conrad's descent into the darkness of the human soul.Book Review: Different Price
Summary: 1 Stars
The price on the book says 1.50... The text is too small and it may be better to pay a little more so you don't need a magnifying glass. Rip OffBook Review: Heart Of Darkness On Fire
Summary: 5 Stars
Upon re-reading this book here, now, some fifty years into the future, I found it stunningly written and overwhelmingly informed of human darkness and mystic wonder. I've read your negative reviews of this masterwork, and, quite frankly, I'm rather peeved. I have no respect for "modern" schools and education, or so-called "sensitivity" or "sensibilities," so, to save time here---because that's the name of the game at my age---I'll just say that it's not your fault if you didn't "get" this book (duh, dude, yo.) To read and visualize the poetry of something the way it's meant to be, such as Heart Of Drakness---a bridge of Drama between the conscious and unconscious, because all perceived living is drama, and because all thought is mythic---seems to be a skill not concomitant with local and current inclinations. Watching "teevee," and/or other "moving pictures"--especially the thoughtless, mind-imprisoning garbage they serve up in this era, and I have seen many eras--just can not give mind and imagination needed space for visualization, which is how the attendee experiences the experience itself, and not just some other person's opinion or night mare. Do you "get" me, dude, smell what I'm cooking--not! (yech! who thinks this sewage Up?) If you don't "get" Heart Of Darkness now, you will later, but it might be too much later. Unplug anything electric, and read a book or something. You know who you are.