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3.03 AVERAGE
3.03 AVERAGE
Not an easy book to read. This was my second time, and it was as challenging as I recalled. Heavy on themes and light on plot. Deep psychological and philosophical digressions in advanced literary language and style.
But it is considered the most important condemnation of cololonialsim. So, for that, I am respectful. The Norton edition provides a lot of background on King Leopold of Belgium and the period when European powers raped Africa. Disgusting. That "horrorism" is the root of many current evils.
But it is considered the most important condemnation of cololonialsim. So, for that, I am respectful. The Norton edition provides a lot of background on King Leopold of Belgium and the period when European powers raped Africa. Disgusting. That "horrorism" is the root of many current evils.
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I've been interested in this book for something like 20 years from my love of Apocalypse Now. I've tried to read it several times unsuccessfully in the past but the language stopped me in my tracks. Earlier this year I read it and enjoyed the feeling of the book but I really didn't know what was going on. I then went and read a couple books on the Belgian Congo and came back to it while suffering from a severe book hangover and my opinion changed immensely. I put the book down after chapter 2 and found I couldn't stop thinking about it. I ended up reading it as a critique of human civilization and the darkness that humans are willing to engage in in order to profit themselves. The book begins on the Thames in order to directly parallel Conrad's experiences in the Congo with the motives of all civilization. Amazing book that was worth every bit of trouble and difficulty to enjoy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In 'Heart of Darkness' Conrad seems to grasp some of the devastating impacts of imperialism yet totally miss othets. Additionally, the 19th century conversational style made this a challenging read for me but did lead to a handful of genuinely excellent passages.
'Do you see the story? Do you see anything? It seems to me I am trying to tell you a dream --making a vain attempt, because no relation of a dream can convey the dream-sensation, that commingling of absurdity, surprise, and bewilderment in a tremor of struggling revolt, that notion of being captured by the incredible which is the very essence of dreams...'
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes