Book Review; Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness is a Novella written by Joseph Conrad. Originally named Jozef Konrad Korzeniowski, he was a Pole born in the Ukraine. He attained British nationality after serving in the British Merchant Service. His writing is based mainly on his experience of serving at sea from the age of 16. Heart of Darkness relates to his experiences as the commander of a steamer on the Congo during the Belgian colonial control of that country.

I first became interested in reading this book after becoming a fan of the film Apocalypse Now. I learnt that story of that film was inspired by HOD and in particular the character Colonel Kurtz, played with a mesmerising performance by Marlon Brando. Add to that the recommendation of other nationalists I sought out the book from WH Smiths for £5.99!

I was wary of a book that was critical of colonialism. Imagining a lot of hang wringing and finger pointing. I'm glad to say that this was far from the case.

The story is presented as a kind of 'narration within a narration'. The main character Marlow recounting his story to his fellow passengers via another unknown narrator on board a ship leaving the City of London via the Thames river.

Marlow tells how he had obtained the command of a steamer, via a recommendation from a family member, on an unnamed river in an unnamed country in Africa. (Although we know already this is based on Conrad's experience in the Congo.)

Marlow witnesses the brutality of colonial rule in Africa but makes no apologies for it, believing it to be part of a 'great idea' that over rules the 'ugliness' of it all. He becomes fascinated with the idea of meeting an ivory trade agent name Kurtz, a man much talked about by the other traders along the river. A man said to be of 'great ideas' and intelligence, Marlow hopes very much to talk with Kurtz.

The story then goes into a kind of 'unknown' and perilous journey up river, all the time giving a feeling of being dragged towards something great or maybe terrible should they come across the infamous Kurtz.

Eventually the appearance of Kurtz in the story leads to something of an anti climax. I think this is intentional though. Leading up to this we are led to believe that Kurtz will reveal all the answers to the brutality and madness witnessed through out the journey so far, that he will offer philosophical insight and wisdom to Marlow(which does happen with the 'kurtz' character in Apocalypse Now) instead we are treated to a level scepticism and a possibility that there is no rational explanation at all.


The book is good. It deals with many aspects of human nature, in particular its darker side. The theme of an perilous journey into the unknown has always appealed to me so I found it very enjoyable indeed.