63 pages • 2 hours read
Heart of Darkness
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Book Brief
188
Novel • Fiction
Congo River • 1890s
1899
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad follows Marlow, a steamboat captain, who travels up the Congo River to find Kurtz, a revered yet controversial ivory trader. Marlow witnesses the brutality and corruption of European colonialism, the moral decay of individuals, and ultimately confronts the enigmatic and deteriorated Kurtz, whose legacy profoundly impacts him. Forced labor, violence, and racism are depicted.
Dark
Mysterious
Contemplative
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
532,382 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad explores colonialism and human nature through a haunting journey into Africa. Praised for its profound psychological depth and complex narrative style, it also faces criticism for problematic racial portrayals. Overall, it's a deeply influential, yet controversial, literary work.
Who Should Read Heart of Darkness?
A reader who enjoys Heart of Darkness would appreciate complex narratives and themes of colonialism, and psychological introspection. They are likely fans of works rich in symbolism and moral ambiguity, such as Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This reader favors reflective and thought-provoking literature.
532,382 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
188
Novel • Fiction
Congo River • 1890s
1899
Adult
18+ years
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