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wesblake_author 's review for:
Heart of Darkness
by Joseph Conrad
This book requires a close reading. The narrator, Marlow, gets at the heart of man's true nature and the nature of imperialistic society. Kurtz embodies all this, and, before dying, pronounces his final judgment on it and sums up his soul's experience in the world - "The horror. The horror".
Psychological insights abound throughout. Marlow struggles to communicate the effect his experience has had upon him and his fascination/bond with Kurtz:
". . . No, it is impossible; it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one’s existence--that which makes its truth, its meaning--its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream--alone. . . ."
But one trait that Conrad and his characters, Marlow and Kurtz share - is an ability to convey experience through storytelling. Kurtz is remembered by Marlow as primarily " a voice". Kurtz bewitches people and draws them to him with his words. Marlow enchants his current shipmates with his tale of his trip into the heart of darkness in Africa.
As soon as I finished reading I wanted to start it again. Conrad conveys Kurtz' and Marlow's haunting experience in a way that will stick with you.
Psychological insights abound throughout. Marlow struggles to communicate the effect his experience has had upon him and his fascination/bond with Kurtz:
". . . No, it is impossible; it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one’s existence--that which makes its truth, its meaning--its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream--alone. . . ."
But one trait that Conrad and his characters, Marlow and Kurtz share - is an ability to convey experience through storytelling. Kurtz is remembered by Marlow as primarily " a voice". Kurtz bewitches people and draws them to him with his words. Marlow enchants his current shipmates with his tale of his trip into the heart of darkness in Africa.
As soon as I finished reading I wanted to start it again. Conrad conveys Kurtz' and Marlow's haunting experience in a way that will stick with you.