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Heart of Darkness

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( 549,246 ratings, 23,819 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad delves into the journey of Marlow, a seaman who travels upriver in the African Congo under European colonial rule. The novel explores themes of imperialism, human nature, and the blurred lines between civilisation and savagery, as Marlow searches for the enigmatic figure, Kurtz, whose rule defies conventional morality. The narrative raises questions about the true nature of darkness within the human soul and society.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by timeless tales exploring the complexities of human nature and morality. Set against the backdrop of colonial Africa, it delves into the depths of psychological and moral challenges faced by characters in a mysterious, often unsettling world. If you appreciate reading about journeys into the unknown, both geographically and existentially, this book may appeal to you.

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HarperCollins is proud to present its range of best-loved, essential classics.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

HarperCollins is proud to present its range of best-loved, essential classics.

The reaches opened before us and closed behind, as if the forest had stepped leisurely across the water to bar the way for our return. We penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness.

When Charles Marlow agrees to captain a steamer up the Congo in search of the elusive ivory trader Mr Kurtz, it becomes a terrifying journey into both the unknown and his own subconscious. As he travels deeper and deeper into the dense jungle, he begins to sense the presence of this extraordinary and terrible man, and to question the horrifying realities of European imperialism and of human nature itself.

Originally published as a three-part story in 1899, Conradโ€™s masterpiece has inspired many further works, including Francis Ford Coppolaโ€™s Apocalypse Now, and remains a thought-provoking text to this day.

Series: Collins Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is often praised for its exploration of imperialism and the darkness within the human soul, set against the backdrop of the Congo River. Many reviews highlight the book's powerful and atmospheric narrative, though some readers find its dense prose challenging. It's frequently regarded as a significant work in English literature for its thematic depth and complex portrayal of colonialism.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008195663

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 June 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: William Collins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 100g

Pages: 128

About the Author

Polish-born Joseph Conrad is regarded as a highly influential author and his works are seen as a precursor to modernist literature. His often tragic insight into the human condition in novels such as Heart of Darkness and The Secret Agent is unrivalled by his contemporaries.

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