Mixed Bag
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First thing to say is that Heart of Darkness itself is definitely a 5 star story. However here it is published with 2 more of Conrad's seafaring stories - "Youth" and "The End of the Tether", presumably to give the reader more examples of his writing style.
Heart of Darkness is brilliant in its theme and in the way it is written. I had read a number of years ago and found it tough going but this time enjoyed it much more.
It's almost what is not included (ie the details of Kurtz's actions in the jungle) that add so much to the tension and "horror" of the story.
Marlowe is also the narrator in "Youth", possibly an autobiographical account of a young seaman's first trip. Not particularly noteworthy really.
I found "The End of the Tether" much too long although the story itself was interesting.
A good idea to put these lesser known stories with the "main course" but you know which story you'll read again and again.
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Mediocre
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Let's get a few things straight. Heart of Darkness, though classed as horror, os not overtly frightening. It is one of those stories which relies on reader participation, inteprpretation and a claustrophobic atmosphere in order to induce unease. The story works, in an outdated sort of way, in criticising the morality of slavery and the ruthless exploitation of small colonies. But it certainly will not top my list of story which truly terrify. Conrad is no E.F Benson or M.R James.
His writing style is convoluted, and this is shown to the extremes in the openings of the final story 'The End Of The Tether'. The writer seems to have an affinity with sailing, and this is shown in the aforementioned story as well as 'Youth'. Even in Heart Of Darkness, in the scene sailing down the river to meet Kurtz, we are 'treated' to in depth and painfully detailed descriptions of sailing.
In short, I did not find Conrad deserving of the devotion of some of his continuing readership, nor was his reputation deserved. It also seemed to me that the Heart of Darkness, was not in the failing chest of Mr Kurtz, but in the corrupting and malign depths of the jungle, through which the rivers were the arteries. But then, the story is written in such a may as to imply multiple meanings.
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Great collection of stories
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Don't just pay out for Heart Of Darkness alone, when you can get some other great stories with it for free.
A great writer, and some great stories that are so well written you picture the scene and characters with clarity.
Get it!
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Brilliant
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Heart of Darkness is Conrad's study of the potential for evil that we all possess; in some it bubbles closer to the surface than others and the removal of societal constraints can give it free reign; Kurtz is representative of such a person while Marlow acts as a counter-weight to him. The boat voyage along the river is a metaphor for this journey from the light of civilisation into darkness, and is superbly narrated by the main protagonist Marlow.
Heart of Darkness is a very short book (72 pages in this edition) but the breadth of its content is equivalent to some books ten times its length; this conciseness, and the particular narrative style are what give this book such a wonderful feel. I have to admit I struggled with the style on occasion especially were it flips from its mainly first-person narration to third-person without warning, but the whole effect is astounding.
I wish I had read this book 20+ years ago because I found that I was often relating both the style and events back to "Apocalypse Now", a wonderful film and not a great detractor, but I always find it unfortunate when the "film version" imposes itself onto the book so strongly.
Overall then an excellent book that everyone should read - it's not going to take up a large chunk of your life but will certainly add something to it.
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The darkness in men's hearts
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With this novella Joseph Conrad brutally rips away the barriers that men build to hide themselves and exposes the evil that lurks in all men's hearts, waiting for an opportunity to get out.kurtz sails away into the dark continent full of ambition to build a bright shining society where men will be Gods. The result is unspeakable evil. What actually happens the reader never knows. They are just invited to look at the battered result of Kurtz's ambition. Marlowe returns and visits the now dead Kurt's fiancee, but is unable to tell her the truth about her beloved and makes up some romantic tale to spare her feelings. Nowadays Conrad is vulnerable to accusations of racism as he uses Africa to represent the dark continent. As always the politically correct have completely missed the pooint. The evil was in Kurtz, as it is in all men, not in Africa. And Conrad was exposing the wickednesss of colonolism which he was vehemently against, which anyone could find out if they read his works closely. In fact he was not a racist but years ahead of his time.
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