morrisimo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Marlow is a sexist, and while he improves, He's also a racist and a white supremacist. Marlow's arc is eventually an anti-colonialist one, expressing a deep and genuine disgust over what has transpired on the continent of Africa, however one cannot deny the racist overtures. On my part, I feel that Marlow is simply a great unreliable narrator. His perspective is our only insight into the events of the story, and that insight is flawed and certainly inaccurate at points and laden with narcissistic interest. And I love that. Unreliable narrators as so interesting to me, I just enjoy trying to unpack and examine a character's flawed portrayal of events.
The events themselves are somewhat inconsequential. The whole plot is boating up a river, stopping at a place and possibly talking to an interesting character, and continuing boating. It is much more about trying to put you in Marlow's shoes, how he felt, what his headspace was. In that regard I think it succeeds.
Overall a great little novella. Very atmospheric and dark, an intriguing and enjoyable read.
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Genocide, Slavery, War, and Injury/injury detail
rory_john14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cannibalism, Grief, Colonisation, Death, Hate crime, Slavery, Violence, Body horror, Blood, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Gore, War, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Classism, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Genocide, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry
cheyneflynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Physical abuse, Slavery, Colonisation, and Gore
Moderate: Cannibalism
ambdocksey22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Graphic: Slavery, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, War, Violence, Suicide, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Rape, Racism, Racial slurs, Murder, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Injury/injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Grief, Genocide, Death, Colonisation, Confinement, Classism, and Cannibalism
plumadeqam's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Death, and Genocide