Author: Joseph Conrad
# of Pages: 72 (paperback)
Genre: Fiction, Classics, Africa
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Synopsis: Dark allegory describes the narrator's journey up the Congo River and his meeting with, and fascination by, Mr. Kurtz, a mysterious personage who dominates the unruly inhabitants of the region. Masterly blend of adventure, character development, psychological penetration. Considered by many Conrad's finest, most enigmatic story.
Review: This is one of the few classics I've read purely recreationally.
I might have enjoyed this book more if I read it in a classroom setting where I could learn to appreciate all the fine details of this book. However, since I did not delve into deep analysis of the book, I read it as it appears: a sloppy narration by a man's experience voyaging up the Congo. Whether Marlow, the protagonist, was a bad storyteller for some deeper reason does not change the fact that he is a BAD storyteller.
Although this story may also serve as a demonstration of how life was in Africa during the boom of ivory trade, it is so finely focused on one man's experience, one that is taken up by the obsession of finding Mr. Kurtz, I didn't find it very enlightening.
To paraphrase someone of Goodreads, the book is not long, yet far too long. The read can be finished in one sitting but is not worth your time.
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