franziska_piffer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
brywalls's review against another edition
3.0
Art was very reminiscent of the Metamorphosis graphic novel (same artist). The selection of the prose sections was great ams I would give this to my struggling readers as a supplement to Conrad's text.
I'm not sure Kuper achieved what he set out to do in bringing the Africans more into the story as, in some cases quite lierally, they are the backdrop. I also hoped the art would help clarify some of the more ambiguous parts of the text, but maybe that's intentional?
TL;DR A good adaptation of a story that is still problematic.
I'm not sure Kuper achieved what he set out to do in bringing the Africans more into the story as, in some cases quite lierally, they are the backdrop. I also hoped the art would help clarify some of the more ambiguous parts of the text, but maybe that's intentional?
TL;DR A good adaptation of a story that is still problematic.
amelie_ldv's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
overrated and overhated but i feel like this book is someone trying to tell a story to someone who really doesn't care. Like the weird old person next to you on the train who can't tell their story to anybody else
giomarg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
autumnlutherking's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book as a high school junior about 6 years ago and it wasn't for me. I understand what Conrad was getting at and I respect him for trying to tackle massive, taboo themes, but that's about it. Yes, it critiques imperialism and yes, it has a lot to say about race, idealism, and individualism. However, it's told through an unique writing style and a racist lens.
There are a lot of stans below, saying this book is life changing and one of the greatest pieces of literature, but I'd argue that those sentiments come from where you are in life and who you are. As a black girl from the South who knows this wasn't fiction for her ancestors, Heart of Darkness hits really close to home. I probably found the book's sharp, poignant edge to be jarring in a bad way because I wasn't Conrad's target audience.
There are a lot of stans below, saying this book is life changing and one of the greatest pieces of literature, but I'd argue that those sentiments come from where you are in life and who you are. As a black girl from the South who knows this wasn't fiction for her ancestors, Heart of Darkness hits really close to home. I probably found the book's sharp, poignant edge to be jarring in a bad way because I wasn't Conrad's target audience.
emdawg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sottola99's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
strawberryvenus's review against another edition
1.0
so disgustingly racist and viscerally uncomfortable to read at a lot of points. the writing style made every page feel like a fucking eternity and only prolonged my suffering. the last few pages were like, okay i guess
hannchilada's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, it hurts to give it five stars and it hurts to give it anything less.
ichirofakename's review against another edition
5.0
The touchy will find cause to complain; others may relish the unmatched prose and imagery and atmosphere.
During my re-reading project, many, if not most, books I have read so far have been disappointments. This is the first to be better than I recalled.
This is the best novella; it should be read by anybody who reads fiction and has a weekend available. If you must complain about its socio-political attitudes, well then, complain, after actually reading it.
During my re-reading project, many, if not most, books I have read so far have been disappointments. This is the first to be better than I recalled.
This is the best novella; it should be read by anybody who reads fiction and has a weekend available. If you must complain about its socio-political attitudes, well then, complain, after actually reading it.