This book is part of the following of my reading list projects:

* 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die [#222]
* Random House 100 Best English-language novels of the 20th Century [#67]

For such a slim book, 'Heart of Darkness' manages to cover a lot of thematic territory: the negative aspects of imperialism, the constructed nature of civilisation and the effects of being removed from it, the relative nature of moral judgements and the existence of evil.

The main character, Marlow, is a complex mix of attributes. He is a skilled seaman, capable of commanding a ship, very good at what he does, but also a man with a large interior life, trying to live according a set of principles, but who has become cynical through his dealings with the world (in this aspect there are, IMHO, parallels with the private detective Philip Marlow in Raymond Chandler's books). This is not to suggest that Conrad's Marlow is without fault. His attitude to towards black people in the book, although more enlightened than those of other characters, could still be described as racist - none of the africans are individuals to him. Whether this is a construct by Conrad for fictional purposes, or whether it reflects Conrad's own view, is difficult so say.

Irrespective of this, though, this is an excellent book. Although the overall tone is a dark one, there are elements of a black, ironic humour which entertains while the story confronts readers with difficult questions about themselves.

RELEASE NOTES:

Picked up to stock one of the London OBCZs. However as only a short book am going to read it first.

I have tried to read this twice but am afraid I found it too hard going. I had just finished another book also set in the Congo (The Poisonwood Bible) but that was a much lighter read. Hopefully someone else will get on with it better than me.

RELEASE NOTES:

At tonight's Meetup. All welcome.