So after the horror known as The Heart of Darkness, I hoped that I would never have to read Joseph Conrad ever again. The Heart of Darkness made me claw my face!!! Bwah!!!...Okay, rant over. I am actually glad that I was forced to read another Conrad as this book helped me change my opinion a wee bit. Conrad is actually really funny. I laughed aloud several times when read this. It is was really smart too. He covers all aspects of the political realm without ever aligning himself to any political opinion. He was also very insightful. Just change a few aspects of the plot and this novel could easily be set in 2010.

Despite all this praise, the narration of Conrad still rather painful... I can't want it :(