Review: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

 

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Series: None

Published: 1899

Publisher: Lots...

Pages: 166

Heart of Darkness, a novel by Joseph Conrad, was originally a three-part series in Blackwood's Magazine in 1899. It is a story within a story, following a character named Charlie Marlow, who recounts his adventure to a group of men onboard an anchored ship. The story told is of his early life as a ferry boat captain. Although his job was to transport ivory downriver, Charlie develops an interest in investing an ivory procurement agent, Kurtz, who is employed by the government.

Dark allegory describes the narrator’s journey up the Congo River and his meeting with, and fascination by, Mr. Kurtz, a mysterious personage who dominates the unruly inhabitants of the region. Masterly blend of adventure, character development, psychological penetration. Considered by many Conrad’s finest, most enigmatic story.

The 2.5 stars are for the plot and the topic this book addresses. The writing is also well done, but I was bother by the…style it was used in.

The thing is, it’s not as if Marlow became an unresponsive narrator after his traumatizing experience in the ‘Heart of Darkness,’ but that he was like that for the entire book. It made it very difficult not only to continue reading, but to feel any kind of sympathy for any of the characters. My thoughts upon finishing the book were something along the lines: “Depressing. Fantastic. Thank you for telling me the middle of the jungle inhabited by savages could be like that.” NOT. 

That’s always been my opinion on depressing books. I don’t know why they are written if they end like that. If I read a book about a messed up world, but encourages me to do something about it, then yeah! I care a little more. But I’m personally not a fan of all out pessimistic books. 

Then there’s the matter of the narrative within a narrative within a narrative thing going on. Let’s just say Marlow enjoys interrupting himself. Me? Not so much.

This was disappointing because Joseph Conrad had such a reputation in my mind. I can name a few writers I admire that admired him growing up. I am hoping that most of my dislike stems from the narrator though, hence why this didn’t get 1 star. Hopefully any future Conrad books I tackle will be better received.
The thing is, it’s not as if Marlow became an unresponsive narrator after his traumatizing experience in the ‘Heart of Darkness,’ but that he was like that for the entire book. It made it very difficult not only to continue reading, but to feel any kind of sympathy for any of the characters. My thoughts upon finishing the book were something along the lines: “Depressing. Fantastic. Thank you for telling me the middle of the jungle inhabited by savages could be like that.” NOT. 
That’s always been my opinion on depressing books. I don’t know why they are written if they end like that. If I read a book about a messed up world, but encourages me to do something about it, then yeah! I care a little more. But I’m personally not a fan of all out pessimistic books. 

Then there’s the matter of the narrative within a narrative within a narrative thing going on. Let’s just say Marlow enjoys interrupting himself. Me? Not so much.

This was disappointing because Joseph Conrad had such a reputation in my mind. I can name a few writers I admire that admired him growing up. I am hoping that most of my dislike stems from the narrator though, hence why this didn’t get 1 star. Hopefully any future Conrad books I tackle will be better received.
That’s always been my opinion on depressing books. I don’t know why they are written if they end like that. If I read a book about a messed up world, but encourages me to do something about it, then yeah! I care a little more. But I’m personally not a fan of all out pessimistic books. 
Then there’s the matter of the narrative within a narrative within a narrative thing going on. Let’s just say Marlow enjoys interrupting himself. Me? Not so much.

This was disappointing because Joseph Conrad had such a reputation in my mind. I can name a few writers I admire that admired him growing up. I am hoping that most of my dislike stems from the narrator though, hence why this didn’t get 1 star. Hopefully any future Conrad books I tackle will be better received.
Then there’s the matter of the narrative within a narrative within a narrative thing going on. Let’s just say Marlow enjoys interrupting himself. Me? Not so much.
This was disappointing because Joseph Conrad had such a reputation in my mind. I can name a few writers I admire that admired him growing up. I am hoping that most of my dislike stems from the narrator though, hence why this didn’t get 1 star. Hopefully any future Conrad books I tackle will be better received.
This was disappointing because Joseph Conrad had such a reputation in my mind. I can name a few writers I admire that admired him growing up. I am hoping that most of my dislike stems from the narrator though, hence why this didn’t get 1 star. Hopefully any future Conrad books I tackle will be better received.

My biggest problem with this book is the narrator, Marlow. It’s not that his journey isn’t interesting, he’s just not that interesting. His eyes see mostly everything, but he never reacts. Oh, that African American (he refers to as ‘nigger’) is dying? Huh. My ship has a hole? Well, dang, that’ll be a delay and inconvenience. I’m sailing further and further into the heart of un-civilization? Uhhhhhh…