One of the most haunting stories ever written, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness follows Marlow, a riverboat captain, on a voya...
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Jan 30, 2012
Mark
rated it: 
I read this a long time ago, and then again this weekend, and realised that I remembered maybe 5% of it. It's perhaps not that surprising because the existential meandering dominates the actual events, and many of the those events involve lying around being too hot, too sweaty, and too sick, just waiting. That's unfair - events do unfold, characters are met, unpleasantness witnessed, at at the creshendo, blood is spilled. The pace, however, is slow. Nineteenth century slow. Dickens sprints by co
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Jun 08, 2011
Chory
rated it: 
"Racism Couched in a Critique of Racism"
Certainly it was relevant in 1977 for a black African man with a “western” education to offer criticism of the dominant paradigm of the “western,” “white” status-quo; however, in his article “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness,” Chinua Achebe entirely misses the mark. His assertion is, essentially, that given the novel’s having not been written in the latter half of the twentieth century with the bleeding-heart sensibi More...
Certainly it was relevant in 1977 for a black African man with a “western” education to offer criticism of the dominant paradigm of the “western,” “white” status-quo; however, in his article “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness,” Chinua Achebe entirely misses the mark. His assertion is, essentially, that given the novel’s having not been written in the latter half of the twentieth century with the bleeding-heart sensibi More...
Jun 08, 2011
Christopher
rated it: 
Loads of boring details, not quite enough story.
While it was interesting to read Conrad's take on the exploitation of the African subcontinent and the treatment of the native peoples during the colonial era, this book failed to live up to its legendary reputation as a literary classic. The story moved ploddingly slow at times, getting mired down in mundane details and unimportant tangents, while at other times it would fast forward through events.
I actually found Con More...
While it was interesting to read Conrad's take on the exploitation of the African subcontinent and the treatment of the native peoples during the colonial era, this book failed to live up to its legendary reputation as a literary classic. The story moved ploddingly slow at times, getting mired down in mundane details and unimportant tangents, while at other times it would fast forward through events.
I actually found Con More...
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Jun 08, 2011
Shiloh
rated it:
This book was the Heart of Darkness story, plus Youth, Amy Foster, and the Secret Sharer short stories by Joseph Conrad. I read the Heart of Darkness first because I was most curious about the narrative as it was loosely based on his own travels in the Congo during the 1800's during the Belgian colonialization. As the introduction attests, the broad strokes with wich the story is painted made it a bit difficult for first time readers to follow the plot. It often changes time or setting withou
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Feb 11, 2012
Erik
rated it: 
buh.
that's really all I have to say about this business. its one of those books where, as you read it, you vaguely recognize what the author's trying to do, and you have to decide if he's just a bad writer or if you're too dumb to understand him. goodreads reviews seem to tend towards the former.
really, though, the book just goes on and on and on. my teacher said this was to express the tedium they experienced while floating around, and I guess I can see that, but good god t More...
that's really all I have to say about this business. its one of those books where, as you read it, you vaguely recognize what the author's trying to do, and you have to decide if he's just a bad writer or if you're too dumb to understand him. goodreads reviews seem to tend towards the former.
really, though, the book just goes on and on and on. my teacher said this was to express the tedium they experienced while floating around, and I guess I can see that, but good god t More...
Aug 12, 2011
I fould this like the more comprehesive review below, states that is novel the hart of darness was like a script from an….a.leval exsam paper on higher engilsh
Conrad, an emotional man subject to fits of depression, self-doubt, and pessimism, disciplined his romantic temperament with an unsparing moral judgment (my words)…when people undertand the world, poltics to them is just a game of chess for the interlectual, for the greddy..selfish a turn of the roulette wheel
(His worl More...
Conrad, an emotional man subject to fits of depression, self-doubt, and pessimism, disciplined his romantic temperament with an unsparing moral judgment (my words)…when people undertand the world, poltics to them is just a game of chess for the interlectual, for the greddy..selfish a turn of the roulette wheel
(His worl More...
Nov 28, 2011
Fred
rated it:
Have always wanted to read this and finally got around to it thanks to a thoughtful Barnes and Noble gift card for my birthday. 'Heart of Darkness', for those of you who don't know is what they based the film 'Apocalypse Now' on. 'Heart of Darkness' was a good story, not great, although again, something written over a hundred years ago has a certain flavor to it that is rarely if ever the same. Today, in 2011, good, not great.
That being said, Joseph Conrad has a very interesting More...
That being said, Joseph Conrad has a very interesting More...
Jan 28, 2012
Matt
rated it: 
In short, not a big fan of this one. It's possible my lack of interest in this book was due in part to reading it in spurts crammed on the metro, but I don't think that played a huge role in the 2 star rating. The stories themselves (notice the title says "Heart of Darkness" AND selected stories) were okay, although "Heart of Darkness" was based on some truth and was a little... dark. What I really didn't like was how all the stories were in third person, yet told from a narr
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Jun 08, 2011
Ian
rated it:
Don't bother. This is an awful novel. I don't care if this is a classic, it is a big waste of time.
I read this years ago, but recently I accidentally read it again, because I mistakenly thought that I couldn't have finished it the first time, since I had no recollection of what actually happened in the end.
In actual fact, NOTHING happens. The whole book leads, very slowly, up to some supposedly awful event deep in the jungle, and yet we never get to understand exactly More...
I read this years ago, but recently I accidentally read it again, because I mistakenly thought that I couldn't have finished it the first time, since I had no recollection of what actually happened in the end.
In actual fact, NOTHING happens. The whole book leads, very slowly, up to some supposedly awful event deep in the jungle, and yet we never get to understand exactly More...
Jun 08, 2011
Rowland
rated it:
A group of men are aboard an English ship that is sitting on the Thames. The group includes a Lawyer, an Accountant, a Company Director/Captain, and a man without a specific profession who is named Marlow. The narrator appears to be another unnamed guest on the ship. While they are loitering about, waiting for the wind to pick up so that they might resume their voyage, Marlow begins to speak about London and Europe as some of the darkest places on earth. The narrator and other guests do not seem
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Jun 08, 2011
Kainan
rated it:
I should say, as a very important note, that the 5 star rating is based on the stories literary merits. However, one can't (or at least, one shouldn't) talk about "Heart of Darkness" without bringing up the topic of Racism. Now, there is undoubtedly racism present in the book. I really don't think that can be denied. The question then becomes: for what purposes was it used? Racism was present in both Twain and Faulkner's writings, but certainly not in a manner that condoned it. In thos
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Jun 08, 2011
Christina
rated it:
There is so much packed into every word of Heart of Darkness that if you’re not careful, if you don’t slow down and contemplate every word the story and beauty of the novel will fly by unnoticed. I think that’s why so many people don’t give Conrad’s classic novel the credit it deserves.
Here’s a man for whom English is a third language, and, yet, Heart of Darkness is so beautifully written - almost like a long poem.
“The day was ending in a serenity of still and exquisi More...
Here’s a man for whom English is a third language, and, yet, Heart of Darkness is so beautifully written - almost like a long poem.
“The day was ending in a serenity of still and exquisi More...
Jun 08, 2011
Peregrino
rated it:
Trilogía de cuentos de Conrad en los que el autor sitúa, a través del capitán Marlow, sus recuerdos. En "Juventud" relata sus peripecias como segundo oficial de abordo de una chalupa que naufraga tras un largo periplo, a punto de alcanzar las costas de Bankok. Cuento marino, que no dice gran cosa, salvo la elegante prosa del autor.
"El Corazón de las Tinieblas", por contra es un libro más profundo. Conrad tiene una prosa densa, masticable. Para entenderlo mejor recomiendo More...
"El Corazón de las Tinieblas", por contra es un libro más profundo. Conrad tiene una prosa densa, masticable. Para entenderlo mejor recomiendo More...
Jun 08, 2011
Bill
rated it:
At first, I wasn't thrilled. The short story "Youth," included in the book, introduced me to one of Conrad's favorite rhetorical devices: using catalogues in descriptions. If written well, they are great in providing definitions; if not, it's like getting pounded over the head: "Day after day and night after night there was nothing round the ship but the howl of the wind, the tumult of the sea, the noise of water pouring over her deck. There was no rest for her and no rest for
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Jun 08, 2011
Maranda
rated it:
Youth was a cute short story. It is the story in which the character Marlow is first introduced to the reader.
The story is basically Marlow at a dinner party reminiscing about his first time at sea and is largely autobiographical. Marlow tells the tale about the ill-fated voyage to the East and the transportation of the ship’s cargo (coal). Though every bad thing that could have happened to this ship did, all the seamen survived and Marlow remained in good spirits through the entire More...
The story is basically Marlow at a dinner party reminiscing about his first time at sea and is largely autobiographical. Marlow tells the tale about the ill-fated voyage to the East and the transportation of the ship’s cargo (coal). Though every bad thing that could have happened to this ship did, all the seamen survived and Marlow remained in good spirits through the entire More...
Jun 08, 2011
D
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 08, 2011
Lucian
rated it:
"The earth seemed unearthly. We are accustomed to look upon the shackled form of a conquered monster, but there--there you could look at a thing monstrous and free. It was unearthly, and the men were--No, they were not inhuman. Well, you know, that was the worst of it--this suspicion of their not being inhuman. It would come slowly to one. They howled and leaped, and spun, and made horrid faces; but what thrilled you was just the thought of their humanity--like yours--the thought of your re
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Jun 08, 2011
Lee
rated it:
Why would I bother to review such an old, extremely well-known, highly-praised, expertly-and-beautifully written, haunting, disturbing, and widely read piece of literature as Heart of Darkness? Because it rocks! I read this once in high school and just read it again last month, and it still knocks my socks off!
I found the most fascinating part to be the conversation with Kurtz's intended at the end of the story. How sweet and utterly horrible!
I love the short story " More...
I found the most fascinating part to be the conversation with Kurtz's intended at the end of the story. How sweet and utterly horrible!
I love the short story " More...
Jun 08, 2011
Zack
rated it:
Without question one of the worst "classics" I have ever read. To his credit, Conrad makes this book so incredibly boring that I myself felt as though I was making the long journey through the Congo by boat. So I guess you could say that the book sucked me in to the story... just not in a good way.
All of the characters are unlikeable. The plot is not at all satisfying, and moves incredibly slowly. Conrad somehow manages to make the novella feel too long and too short at th More...
All of the characters are unlikeable. The plot is not at all satisfying, and moves incredibly slowly. Conrad somehow manages to make the novella feel too long and too short at th More...
Oct 13, 2011
Michele
rated it:
Okay, so just because I gave this four stars doesn't mean I understand it at all. I just like the way Conrad makes the setting of the Congo into a character. Very cool. As usual, no matter how many times I read this story, I do just fine and am completely engrossed until Marlow finally gets to Kurtz. Then it all falls apart for me....I just don't get it. I keep hoping that the more times I read it, the more I will eventually "get." I'll keep trying.
Nov 24, 2011
Francis
rated it:
His characters seem to be always alone, isolated. They have a different perspective, it's often fearful, rarely happy. They feel deeply. They struggle to understand. When they do, they are often disappointed, but always wise.
A good set of stories, from a good story teller.
A good set of stories, from a good story teller.
Jun 29, 2011
Patrick
rated it:
I can't bring myself to rate a book that someone I hold in such high regard only one star. I wanted this book to be great. I wanted it to be all the things I had built it up to be in my mind. It was just too hard to follow. I know there is a ton of symbolism in this book but it just wasn't that enjoyable to read. At least I can say I've read it.
Jun 08, 2011
Raymond
rated it:
Don't read if you're depressed. I'll definitively have to re-read every story in this book before I can even think about writing up any kind of meaningful review on this.
What I can say so far is that Conrad's stories instantly take the reader into his distant places of the past but what is amazing is that his writing also has an instant psychological effect which makes one wonder about the sanity of this world.
What I can say so far is that Conrad's stories instantly take the reader into his distant places of the past but what is amazing is that his writing also has an instant psychological effect which makes one wonder about the sanity of this world.
Jun 08, 2011
Kraig
rated it:
Conrads "Heart Of Darkness" was an assigned book in my Eng. lit 2 course and at first I found my self dreading the read, but after the first 50 or so pages you cannot help but be pulled into this travel up the amazon in search for a man who everyone looks to almost like a god, though he is only a man. He known to be free, and everyone yearns that same thing freedom, this novel takes place when england had a strong hold on its occupants and the idea of a different life is put into this
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Dec 04, 2011
Molly
rated it:
I wrote a review of this on the group book blog - Quirky Girls Read. You can read it here...
http://quirkygirlsread.wordpress.com/201...
http://quirkygirlsread.wordpress.com/201...
Dec 29, 2011
P.M.
rated it:
Did you like Apocalypse Now, one of the jewels in Francis For Coppolla's crown? Then read the source material, Heart of Darkness. Good, good stuff.
Jun 08, 2011
Kathryn
rated it:
This man is seriously one of the best writers of that century. He was truly gifted. He exemplyfies his impressionist writing in this so well and the imagery, the symbolism--everything. This is a truly unique book. It is admittedly difficult to keep up with it because it is so heavy and it feels like you have to pay attention to every minute observation that Marlowe has or you will miss something crucial. It was very intense--not particularly CHEERFUL kind of enjoyment but it was wonderful to rea
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Jan 05, 2012
This book may prove to be the most interesting of the books I'm required to read for this Honors literature class I'm taking.
Dec 29, 2011
Katherines
rated it:
This was a very strange book. I had to read it for school, but it made no sense to me, and it was just strange.
Jun 08, 2011
Wendy
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Read this over 30 years ago and am inspired to pick it up again as I do recall him as a master. Short stories are a genre that is often under rated. A good short story can haunt one, having left an impact that is all the more amazing because of its brevity of prose. I think of a good one as a small silver mallet that strikes with precision and drives in a sharp point, deep into one's consciousness.
I particularly remember Conrad Aiken's Silent Snow, Secret Snow for that quality of capturi More...
I particularly remember Conrad Aiken's Silent Snow, Secret Snow for that quality of capturi More...
