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reiannaisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Some of the absolute most beautiful writing I have ever read but honest to god, I have no idea what was happening. Will definitely re-read & hope to understand it better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
lindsaywalsvick's review against another edition
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
toto8's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
this is my second time reading this story and my opinion is kinda split. while I can understand it being considered a well written book, I cannot ignore the racism in it.
the descriptions in the story really are what's appealing about it to me and the only reasons I've reread it (read it once in uni). the descriptive parts about nature are interrupted by the racism of the times, often dehumanising black people (e.g. reducing them to body parts). I understand that Conrad was condemning colonialism (also based on his own experiences with is) but the racist parts should not be entirely ignored simply because of it.
the essays printed in this version of the book really add to the reading experience and offer some deeper perspectives into the story. Especially Chinua Achebe's essay points out that the racial aspects of the story have been ignored for a long time, so I recommend giving it a read.
the descriptions in the story really are what's appealing about it to me and the only reasons I've reread it (read it once in uni). the descriptive parts about nature are interrupted by the racism of the times, often dehumanising black people (e.g. reducing them to body parts). I understand that Conrad was condemning colonialism (also based on his own experiences with is) but the racist parts should not be entirely ignored simply because of it.
the essays printed in this version of the book really add to the reading experience and offer some deeper perspectives into the story. Especially Chinua Achebe's essay points out that the racial aspects of the story have been ignored for a long time, so I recommend giving it a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Colonisation
and_so_it_goes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was an assigned reading novel. I understand it’s significance but by god is the prose boring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Slavery, Violence, and Cannibalism
nopestrathomas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Classics–particularly those containing themes that we have now seen as dated and backwards–are difficult for me to rate. This is no exception. Overall, a chilling exploration into the human psyche using perhaps the most “on the nose” extended-allegory in literature. Worth the read? Yes. Well written? Yes. Dated tropes and prejudice? Yes.
The writing reflects the inherent racism and dated views of a man at the turn of the 20th century. Not a single female character of note. The people of Africa featured in the piece are often referred to as savages or other slurs. That said, the book is well paced–slow, but that’s the point. It’s suppose to be a quagmire of perverse discovery. The writing itself is creative (the use of quotations, narration of Marlow, etc.). Worthwhile, and will leave you thinking about human nature as well as societal development since it's release. Potentially even, what comes in the future and what views we hold today as commonplace that those 120 years from now will rightfully categorize as backwards.
I’d recommend the 1997 Modern Library Edition with a forward by Adam Hochschild. Hochschild is the author of the fabulously written nonfiction account of the Belgian Congo, King Leopold’s Ghost, and rightfully calls out Conrad's failings while placing the piece in important modern context. Additionally, it includes robust endnotes which add further context and food for thought.
The writing reflects the inherent racism and dated views of a man at the turn of the 20th century. Not a single female character of note. The people of Africa featured in the piece are often referred to as savages or other slurs. That said, the book is well paced–slow, but that’s the point. It’s suppose to be a quagmire of perverse discovery. The writing itself is creative (the use of quotations, narration of Marlow, etc.). Worthwhile, and will leave you thinking about human nature as well as societal development since it's release. Potentially even, what comes in the future and what views we hold today as commonplace that those 120 years from now will rightfully categorize as backwards.
I’d recommend the 1997 Modern Library Edition with a forward by Adam Hochschild. Hochschild is the author of the fabulously written nonfiction account of the Belgian Congo, King Leopold’s Ghost, and rightfully calls out Conrad's failings while placing the piece in important modern context. Additionally, it includes robust endnotes which add further context and food for thought.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Genocide, Racial slurs, and Colonisation
As mentioned: this was written at a time of astounding inequality. So much so that even the contemporaneous voices—such as that of Konrad's—freely use racial slurs as standard vocabulary.bbluesky's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Colonisation
dmathuna's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Heart Of Darkness (1899) - Joseph Conrad. Overall score 3.5/5
The 1st half of this book didn't engage me in the same way that the second half did.
The characters were very human and well written and this is one of the strengths of this book. Pairing this with Conrad's eloquent prose paints very vivid scenes and he loves to use these tools often.
The Narrator of this audiobook David Horovitch really elevated the quality of this book with excellent emotional weight in his narration.
It feels like there is so much more for me to dig into on rereads, a critique that follows on from the use of such flowery prose is that things can get confusing in a negative way that doesn't add to the narrative experience.
The 1st half of this book didn't engage me in the same way that the second half did.
The characters were very human and well written and this is one of the strengths of this book. Pairing this with Conrad's eloquent prose paints very vivid scenes and he loves to use these tools often.
The Narrator of this audiobook David Horovitch really elevated the quality of this book with excellent emotional weight in his narration.
It feels like there is so much more for me to dig into on rereads, a critique that follows on from the use of such flowery prose is that things can get confusing in a negative way that doesn't add to the narrative experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
jberry63's review against another edition
dark
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
thatpreyash's review against another edition
The writing style is quite engaging, but I couldn't stomach reading this any further because of how racist and misogynistic the main character is. I get that Marlow is meant to be an unlikeable character, but the way he dehumanises the native Africans and kept calling them the n word made my skin crawl. I suppose it makes sense for the time period, but that doesn't mean I enjoy reading it.
I also don't think this book is a particularly effective critique of colonialism. While the brutality that the Europeans inflict is very obvious, none of the African characters are given the chance to speak for themselves. None of them are even named. Although the story opposes colonialism on paper, in practice, it doesn't do much to empower African people. We only ever hear about them through the eyes of their oppressors, who obviously have a racist view of them already. Instead, the story focuses on the white characters, whose perspectives I'm just not particularly interested in hearing. We already live in a white supremacist world, so I'm just not interested in hearing what a violent racist has to say. I'd rather hear the perspective of the colonised people to be honest.
Overall, I think it's a perfectly adequate story in terms of how it's crafted. It's just not one that I want to read.
I also don't think this book is a particularly effective critique of colonialism. While the brutality that the Europeans inflict is very obvious, none of the African characters are given the chance to speak for themselves. None of them are even named. Although the story opposes colonialism on paper, in practice, it doesn't do much to empower African people. We only ever hear about them through the eyes of their oppressors, who obviously have a racist view of them already. Instead, the story focuses on the white characters, whose perspectives I'm just not particularly interested in hearing. We already live in a white supremacist world, so I'm just not interested in hearing what a violent racist has to say. I'd rather hear the perspective of the colonised people to be honest.
Overall, I think it's a perfectly adequate story in terms of how it's crafted. It's just not one that I want to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny