A review by bweeb
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

As a required reading I wasn't really sure what to expect going into this book, I wasn't amazed by it but I didn't hate it. As an early modernist novel (which is the reason I'm reading it), I can see how it was largely influential and challenged the status quo and normal way of reasoning - there are however (as you would know if you have read it) some large flaws to say the least. Of course, racism is overt, prevalent, etc etc. and the dehumanisation of the African is frequent also. Not really sure how to feel about this book tbh.
It basically explores how imperialist ways were more or less an excuse for slavery - simply using "bettering the unstructured and uncivilised societies" as a guise for their mistreatment of African peoples and their disrespect for their land and culture.
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