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Summary: Two incredibly real studies in psychology
Review: This book contains two short novels: The Secret Sharer and Conrad's classic Heart of Darkness, both with similar settings and ideas.The Secret Sharer is more of a short story than a novel, and in it Conrad explores the idea of a double. Like the captain, we all have someone that we relate to - in effect a darker side of ourself that we do not often acknowledge. Heart of Darkness was written nearly ten years earlier, but the same themes are evident in this work also. Kurtz is one of the deepest, most realistic characters in all of literature. His savagery is repulsive, yet the reader grows to admire this man who kills to sastify his primordial urges, his "heart of darkness." It is really wonderful that these two novellas have been compiled in one volume. Once you have read them both, the reader comes to a better understanding that, like the narrator(s), he/she is also capable of unspeakable actions, but they may not know of thier own destructiveness until the very end. A cautionary word: These are both excellent reads, but they are far from cozy ones. Conrad makes use extensively of a rich vocabulary and the books are filled with long, descriptive paragraphs. The reader should be mature enough to understand the writer's style as well as the characters and themes. But if you're looking for some short books to leave you thinking, this selection is an excellent choice. I highly recommend it!
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Summary: How boring can this be?
Review: Did you ever read a book, only to realise that you haven't paid attention to a single thing? That it wasn't engaging at all? Well, this is how this novel affected me. The only thing it had going for it was its length. Boring and dull. Probably better off watching 'Apocalypse Now', which being loosely based on this novel, is far superior. Avoid this book at all costs. Unless you are an English student and have to read it.
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Summary: The writing and the symbolism
Review: When I first read this novel, I hardly understand the content. After I read it over and over again. I could picture things in my head. Conrad really used alot of symbolism and Impressionism in his writing. He symbolized the light as the conscious perception of those forces that govern our lives and the darkness was the destructive, primitively harbored urges that dominate our characters. The man needs all self-knowledge and this knowledge is tenebrously compounded.
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Summary: ICK
Review: Everybody has always told me this book was great. Everybody I've ever talked to is an idiot. This book was terrible, it made no sense. I have loved other classics, thats what i read most. But this book was just bad, it was some guy rambling on and on. I think conrad was on acid when he wrote this book.
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Summary: A good story, but poorely written
Review: It's hard to get into because of the tediousness of the language and the time spent describing the sea and the boat. Conrad foreshadows this book into the ground.
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Summary: Human Behavior Exposed!
Review: Conrad is a master novelist that concentrates his efforts on the study of human behavior. This book shows how a person can degenerate into a savage. Similar behavior analysis can be found in Lord Jim. Both are excellent works. If you have seen Apocalypse Now, you should read the original story.
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Summary: "The inner truth is hidden; luckily, luckily.
Review: Heart of Darkness baffled many of my peers in senior english at Tabor in Marion, Mass. I decided to take it by the throat and came out deeply pondering life, death, and meaning. Upon reading Heart of Darkness I absorbed many of Conrad's controversial theories. The more you know, the more you realise you don't know, among others. Be warned, Marlow, the main character, is very inconclusive, stating that it is truly impossible to say what he means. Enjoy
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Summary: Great View Into the Dark Side of Man
Review: A great view of evil and darkness. I fell in love with this book in high school. If you enjoy this book, I would reccommend Apocalypse Now, which is based upon this book.
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Summary: HARD WORK BUT WORTH IT
Review: I was pleased to see so many positive reviews which are up to date - I read the book for the first time in the seventies as high school set book - I dont think I understood anything at that age. I have read it twice since then and am intersted to see that each time I have a deeper insight into the ideas expressed so eloquently. I think one only can really understand the book as one lives through ones own life experiences. Five stars to Conrad's use of words to evoke a vivid visual image and feelings simultaneously. I am very impressed that the book is still being read today where a work such as this is in danger of being tuned out by the digital revolution and quick fixes of today's lifestyle.
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Summary: You have to read it a couple of times to appreciate it
Review: When I first read this book I was very confused. I didn't know what was going on at all. You can easily drift away in a book like this. Conrad's vocabulary is so immense, I can see how someone can discourged by this book. But I can gurantee you that if you read this book a second or maybe even a third time. You'll start to understand the story a little better. Conrad really concentrates on good and evil and black and white in this book. How white people or people dressed in white don't always depict the good guy but rather the bad guy. I love how Conrad wrote this book, I love how this book took place within about a six hour time span. I thought that was neat.
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