From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

Heart of Darkness

Joseph Conrad

Start date: October 15, 2016

Finish date: November 14, 2016

Discussion: "Let us Chat a Moment!"

Why we're reading this: Novella came in second in Poll.

[close] Novella came in second in Poll.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 6 topics — 19,580 comments total

"Let us Chat a Moment!"

* (❛‿❛?)) Daily Happenings!
By Lesle , Appalachain Bibliophile · 4097 posts · 664 views

last updated 12 hours, 22 min ago

What Classic are you reading now?
By Lesle , Appalachain Bibliophile · 5879 posts · 2076 views

last updated Sep 27, 2025 04:43AM

showing 8 of 8 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Feb 06, 2012 midnightfaerie rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, rory-gilmore

The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is an inspiring piece of work, worthy of some of its criticisms but also of its often listed as a classic piece of literature. Taking place mostly in Africa, it tells the story of Europeans going to the Congo in search of goods to bring back, mostly ivory. They do this in the name of "Imperialism", but Conrad makes it very clear from the beginning that there is no civilization creation going on. Through corruption and exploitation of the blacks, the Europea The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is an inspiring piece of work, worthy of some of its criticisms but also of its often listed as a classic piece of literature. Taking place mostly in Africa, it tells the story of Europeans going to the Congo in search of goods to bring back, mostly ivory. They do this in the name of "Imperialism", but Conrad makes it very clear from the beginning that there is no civilization creation going on. Through corruption and exploitation of the blacks, the Europeans gain as much ivory as they can. However, it seems there is another process going on. The deep recesses of the jungle do something to a man, change him, and somehow demoralization begins. The men who go to the jungle, and often die there, are not the men who first went there. Something changes them. There are many underlying themes here, but to me, the main one seems to be the duality of human nature. Marlow, our main character, is appalled and at the same time drawn in by the corruption he sees. This short book is graphic and disturbing on many levels, which is why its had so many criticisms. One of the most common seems to be racism, where it is said that Africa is only used as "a backdrop which eliminates the African as a human factor." (Chinua Achebe) Then you have your typical feminist criticisms which were at their height in the 70's, going on about the sexism. I am in firm belief, that these critics use books like this only as a platform for their ideology and a soapbox to stand on. I think the treatment of the blacks and women are only used to help depict the imagery and setting. It's a different country with a different culture and customs. I think there was more justification in the claim Conrad was portraying the denationalization of Europe. Although, again, I don't think this was the main point of the book. Some critics even try to explain the corruption of Conrad's unmoral white man by saying in a corrupt world one is bound to commit a corrupt act. Is that truth? I think only the reader can decide. It's also often deemed 'politically incorrect', but we must remember it was published in 1899, which coincidentally is another justification that this is a classic, due to longevity and how long this book has been making an impact on society. As for the critics that condemn this book due to racism, sexism, and the like, it must be said that due to this book, many were influenced about the injustices happening in Africa, and eventually it led to an outcry and resulted in reform. To me though, the criticism is unfounded, and the main theme here is duality. The good and bad of Marlow's soul constantly at war with each other, and this is evident throughout the story. But again, there are multiple themes at play here.

As I read the story, I found myself having to concentrate a little harder than I would normally, due to the way Conrad writes, but enjoyed it immensely, even noting certain areas that held a particular interest for me. Sentences such as "It gave me the notion of an exotic Immensity ruled by an august Benevolence." gave me pause, but touched me with the beauty of the words. A few others that I must mention, because they touched me so were "There were moments when one's past came back to one, as it will sometimes when you have not a moment to spare yourself" and "When you have to attend to things of that sort, to the mere incidents of the surface, the reality - the reality, I tell you - fades. The inner truth is hidden - luckily, luckily." And another - "The manager displayed a beautiful resignation." And still one more, and probably the best - "I don't like work - no man does - but I like what is in the work, -the chance to find yourself. Your own reality - for yourself, not for others - what no other man can ever know. They can only see the mere show, and never can tell what it really means." There are more, but you must read it for yourself.

I must also mention a few of the influences for Conrad. It continually amazes me how many classics are influenced by other classics. When Conrad describes Mr. Kurtz's vampiric qualities, it's believed he was influenced by Dracula, which was published only two years earlier. There are also many biblical references throughout the story. I also found it interesting that E.D. Morel, who spoke to Conrad at length and was greatly influenced by him, founded the Congo reform Association and then discussed with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle how 'Heart of Darkness was (to him) the most powerful thing ever written on the subject.' It's amazing how words can touch so many people.

So, is this a classic? Yes, there is no doubt. Along with longevity, you also have the characteristics 8, 9, and 10 - Controversial, Underlying Themes, and Substantial Influence. In my opinion, it's definitely a book to have in your collection of classic literature.
...more

34 likes · Like · see review

May 18, 2015 Sara rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Contemplating my rating and my review. Has certainly left me with things to ponder.

Having collected my thoughts, rated 3.5, rounded up to 4.

It is difficult to say you like this novel. It is full of reprehensible people and situations, things you could not ever like, but that is truly irrelevant, because all of its ugliness is part and parcel of the point Conrad is trying to make about colonialism. To label the book racist is to miss the fact that it deals with the truth of attitudes and actions Contemplating my rating and my review. Has certainly left me with things to ponder.

Having collected my thoughts, rated 3.5, rounded up to 4.

It is difficult to say you like this novel. It is full of reprehensible people and situations, things you could not ever like, but that is truly irrelevant, because all of its ugliness is part and parcel of the point Conrad is trying to make about colonialism. To label the book racist is to miss the fact that it deals with the truth of attitudes and actions in colonized Africa, which was full of racism and, if not slavery, at least forced labor.

The better part of the novel takes place either in the first station of Marlowe’s trip into Africa or on the steamboat trying to get to Kurtz. The kind of men who comprise the “company” and conduct the “trade” becomes evident almost immediately. They are a sorry bunch who are eager to paint themselves as superior and who deal in euphemisms for the dirty work they do. Kurtz, who has lost himself in the jungle and become one with the natives, is labeled a “madman”, but as we watch the progress of the steamboat toward Kurtz’s station, we cannot help wondering whether he is any more mad (or perhaps less mad) than those who condemn him.

The only character I find painted in any admirable fashion is the native woman who is Kurtz’s mistress and stands defiantly as Kurtz is being hauled away on the steamboat to his obvious death. She is seen briefly, but the image is clear and memorable.

”She walked with measured steps, draped in striped and fringed cloths, treading the earth proudly, with a slight jingle and flash of barbarous ornaments. She carried her head high; her hair was done in the shape of a helmet...She was savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent; there was something ominous and stately in her deliberate progress.

She is the only person who is given majesty everyone else is squalid and tattered. She is where she belongs. Everyone else is out of place.

What Marlowe finds in the person of Kurtz is the ugly truth, unvarnished, cruel and savage. The heads lined up on the fence posts are symbolic of how far off the grid Kurtz has gone and how little any of these men understands or belongs in this country, the country they are trying to convince themselves that they have conquered.

The opening scene is set on the Thames and Marlowe remarks that it must have been somewhat the same for the Roman soldiers who came first up the Thames and encountered the “savage” population of England. ”And this also,” said Marlowe suddenly, “has been one of the dark places of the earth.” Is he not saying the people of Africa are the same as the people of England once were? Is he not acknowledging that treating these people with so little humanity or concern is a moral wrong? I think he is. I think he shines a bright light upon the atrocities he has witnessed and I think he finds the greater darkness in the soul of the colonizers than in the depths of the African jungle or the faces of the African people.
...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Oct 31, 2021 Shirley (stampartiste) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-classics, challenge-bingo-2021

I know this is one of those “either you love or you hate it” classic books. I’m on the loved it side, but not because I enjoyed reading about man’s inhumanity to man that Conrad described so unforgettably in his story. He made me think of what determines and controls a man's descent into barbarity when there are no longer any external controls to moderate him. At times, the feelings he presented were just overwhelming. I found myself so mesmerized with Conrad's descriptions of how the characters ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 14, 2012 Antonomasia added it · review of another edition

Shelves: divine-comedy-booklovers, 2013, africa, 1993-97, 19th-century, 1001-books, ebooks-kindle, bbc-big-read

Obvious essay-fodder: a complex symbolic text with an ambiguous framed approach to colonial racism. (The recent history of criticism of this book is perhaps an example of how being very keen to look for prejudice can make one read in more than is present - though Victorian values are inevitable to some degree.)
Reading the book for the first time a decade or two later in life than many people, the story of Marlowe and Kurtz in the jungle now seemed notable for the works it has inspired at least a ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 09, 2014 Christine rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: short-story-novella, british-literature, classics, africa, audiobooks, radio-bbc-4, read-in-2014

BBC 4 Extra Debut.

4 Extra Debut. Sea captain Marlow is ordered to sail up the Congo to find the mysterious ivory trader, Mr Kurtz. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 04, 2012 John rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics-book-club

Not my favourite book, but a powerful story, and brilliantly read by Branagh.

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 19, 2017 Sarah rated it really liked it

One of those "classics" that I've been hearing about all my life. Finally read it. Its pleasantly short - only a bit over a hundred pages. Don't be fooled, a lot happens. it was apparently written in 1899 or so. The central character and story teller is Marlowe, and there's a lot going on there with him. I tend not to like stories that get told indirectly (think Frankenstein), but the fact that Marlowe was relating this tale of his time in the Congo to three friends on a peaceful evening sailing One of those "classics" that I've been hearing about all my life. Finally read it. Its pleasantly short - only a bit over a hundred pages. Don't be fooled, a lot happens. it was apparently written in 1899 or so. The central character and story teller is Marlowe, and there's a lot going on there with him. I tend not to like stories that get told indirectly (think Frankenstein), but the fact that Marlowe was relating this tale of his time in the Congo to three friends on a peaceful evening sailing the Thames hardly intrudes on the real story. Only question is why he felt compelled to tell it to his friends, and why (or even how) they found it possible to listen so very long. (Oh, wait, it was 1899, they didn't have Iphones!). From the "scholarly (?)" reviews I perused, the question is whether Marlowe is a hero, a villian, a racist, or what? For 1899, I found Marlowe pretty perceptive, and pretty sympathetic to the natives. He certainly had no interest in 'helping' them, and certainly had no interest in stopping or slowing the progress of outsiders "civilizing" them. But he was truly moved by the conditions of the natives, and horrible things that were done to them. He noted that there was a common humanity (though it frightened him) between the Africans and himself -- just even noting that I would think was a big step for someone in 1899. He seems to grow or gain a lot of knowledge about the world in this hundred pages - but is unable to "do" anything with that knowledge -- or perhaps unwilling? The most pro-active thing he does is to tell his friends the story (years after). He makes no effort to change anything at the company (clearly that would be fruitless, we all know that), nor to share his discoveries with the world (though the author did work in Belgian Congo, and did write this book - which doesn't make the conquerers look good at all - so maybe he did 'do' something.) Marlowe seems to have hit that incredibly depressing point in life where you know things suck, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. When he finally meets Kurtz's fiance, he doesn't even tell her the truth. That to me seemed a kindness to her. The Kurtz Marlowe met was not the Kurtz she was engaged to. I didn't see much harm in letting her beliefs stand. I guess I took that as a sign that Marlowe still had the ability for human kindness even after witnessing (and participating in) those horrors. Others have interpreted that differently, that he was happily complicit in keeping up appearances. I don't think so - he considered the option of telling the truth, and didn't - because there was no point, other than hurting this 'innocent' woman. Last thing to note, Conrad didn't start speaking English until he was in his 20's, and yet he writes in English better than I do. I find that both fascinating and annoying. (I have the same feelings for Nabokov). ...more

Like · see review