Heart of Darkness

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpeice
Review: I found the theme of this book captivating but the way Conrad described got very boring at times. The book was short, and I thought that Conrad spent a little too much time describing details. The theme was raw, and the text should of been left that way. But the plot of the book was brilliant and made up for everything Conrad lacked in style.

Rating:
Summary: What a disparity of opinions...
Review: I'm startled by how much those who disliked this book REALLY disliked it. I found it enthralling and enlightening. Yeah, it DOES take effort on the reader's part, but so does most great art. As for the review citing anyone who likes this book as a "phony", I neither want nor need the validation of others to determine what I should or shouldn't like. I liked it because I liked it. If you didn't, that's fine, but don't come down on those of us who did. It's simply a matter of taste. So there.

Rating:
Summary: High School AP English student.
Review: I really didn'y like this book. I did understand all of the historical references and the exposure of human nature. Despite all of that interesting stuff, it was boring and a bit slow. No, I am not some stupid child. I am an Advanced Placement student, I am in a very hard English class. I happen to think this is a poor choice for required reading. I don't need to read the book again, I am assured that won't make it any better.

Rating:
Summary: A true work of art.
Review: I had to write this when I saw people had given this book only one star. It is one of the greatest books I have ever read (and I've read a lot). When I first read this book I didn't understand very much of it, the full force of it's meaning didn't hit me until I took time to think about it. But when it did hit, it hit hard. This book is a journey into madness, for the reader as well as Marlow, and just as the journey changes Marlow, it also changes you. If you truly come to understand this book, you will gain a new understanding for humanity and it may just change the way you look at life.

Rating:
Summary: never read this book
Review: This book makes no sence. If you can understand this book than you are a genus. I have to read this book for school and I don't understand 1 single page of this book. If someone out there understands this book please tell me or let me know.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful novella to really let your brain dig into
Review: This is one of those books that if you actually let your mind think about what is going on and ponder all the symbolism and ideas that Conrad shares about what is important in life then you will come away with great new ideas and subjects that will surround your mind.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: I can honestly say that this book changed the way I look at people and at the world. While I initially found this book a fairly difficult read, what I uncovered was worth an journey. True not only to the nature of the world, but to the nature of humans as well. Beyond comparison.

Rating:
Summary: I hated this book! I thought it was really hard to read.
Review: It started as marlow went down the congo river and he ran into people and met kurtz's and that is about all I cauoght on to. I hated this book!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Too Young to Fall in Love
Review: Put simply, anyone who is "forced" to read this story as a requirement for his or her English class and who comes away with a foul taste in his or her mouth should either 1) think about changing majors or, 2) read the book again. Pay attention to the cadence in these scenes, the pauses, the important glimpses of humanity that Conrad *gives* us in the midst of this crash-and-burn nightmare. Whatever you do, don't give up on this book.

Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking, Complex, Brilliant!
Review: After reading a one star criticism of HoD,i was provoked to write this one. I just finished HoD and I must say that it was one of the more difficult novels to read and understand. Conrad forces the reader to think for him/herself, rather than simply state his implications. The novel is not simply about a journey into the heart of Africa, it is a journey into the heart of man, into hell, and into truth (there are countless interpretations). Conrad explores the inner evil in the heart of man by paralleling it to his journey into the heart of the Belgian Congo. He uses brilliant symbols and irony to convey his points. As many readers have discovered, the darkest hearts belonged to those with the lightest skin. Marlow, the man sent on the mission to relieve Kurtz, discovers his own dark heart and identifies with the cannibalistic navtives when he divulges his desire to go to the shore to join them for a "whoop and a dance." He is able to reject the darkness and find his own light. Some of the most profound statements in literature may be found within the covers of HoD; of which my favorite is "we live as we dream-alone." If you do not think this book is a five star, you have not truly read it or lack the intelligence to understand it.