Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Murder, War
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Blood
Minor: Cannibalism
Second book for my Empire and its Fictions course!
What even was that??? I don't see the critique of Western colonialism?? Is it the "horror" Kurtz is referring to?? The story is still founded on the idea of Africa as savage, "the darkness" even if it messes around it with, so any critique is honestly just so weak?? Africa and Africans are just used as the background to delve into the European psyche, like?? Literary analysis is just all good to forget this dehumanisation. I read this and I think it was always about Europe and its own issues, why do you have to go and bring other countries in to it and be part of the story that justifies colonialism??
The story itself is literally one massive monologue, only saving grace is there a third person narrator but Marlow really just tells this whole story to the men on the boat, like ?? Why are these stories never written in actual narrative form.
What even was that??? I don't see the critique of Western colonialism?? Is it the "horror" Kurtz is referring to?? The story is still founded on the idea of Africa as savage, "the darkness" even if it messes around it with, so any critique is honestly just so weak?? Africa and Africans are just used as the background to delve into the European psyche, like?? Literary analysis is just all good to forget this dehumanisation. I read this and I think it was always about Europe and its own issues, why do you have to go and bring other countries in to it and be part of the story that justifies colonialism??
The story itself is literally one massive monologue, only saving grace is there a third person narrator but Marlow really just tells this whole story to the men on the boat, like ?? Why are these stories never written in actual narrative form.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Colonisation
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
- Had high hopes for this book initially given its (at the time) progressive views on imperialism & colonialism
- It was overall still SUPER racist & the author really put a lot of effort into trying to sound profound
- I think it’s probably a good book to read in terms of literary analysis, but can be difficult to get through because of its harsh themes & general structure
- TONS OF QUEER UNDERTONES
- Tons of blatant racism & sometimes graphic descriptions
- Probably wouldn’t read again for pleasure
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Colonisation
challenging
sad
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It is a good perspective read. What the English thought of themselves reflects very well onto the pages of this book. It is a short piece, but the information is laden with a lot of thoughts and topics and storytelling that grips you from start to finish.
A close reading of the text would be preferrable than just skimming, so that one doesn't miss out of the subtle touches of horror.
A close reading of the text would be preferrable than just skimming, so that one doesn't miss out of the subtle touches of horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very racist. Did not connect to any of the characters. The writing style was not for me, even though it had some good quotes. Would not recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Colonisation
Minor: Racial slurs, Cannibalism
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Heart of Darkness is meant to be a critique of imperialism, but anyone who reads it should know that Chinua Achebe was right to call Conrad “a bloody racist.” The novella is useful as an artifact of European attitudes towards imperialism, but a difficult, frustrating read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism