MobileRead September 2016 Discussion: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (spoilers)

[WT Sharpe]

The time has come to discuss the September 2016 MobileRead Book Club selection, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. What did you think?

[CRussel]

I'm behind and haven't read it yet. But if life will just give me a moment or two...

[WT Sharpe]

I read both the ebook from here and listened to the audiobook from Librivox.

[CRussel]

Ok, I've only read 1/3rd of this or so, but that's IT. I'm done with it. Despite excellent writing, and superb narration (Frederick Davidson), there is no way I want to read this book. I find it offensive, disgusting, and not how I want to spend my precious reading time. (Yes, I know, it's a product of it's time. Got that. And yes, I know all about the evils of the colonization of Africa by various European powers. Enough to know that the Belgians took those evils to new lengths.) I don't need to read this to understand the evils, I already "get it". I don't need to read this for a class (I'm WELL past that!) And I certainly don't need to read this for pleasure, cause it won't give me any. I feel like my ears and mind need a thorough flushing with lye to remove the nastiness.

I'm going to go read Hiroshima now, where it's still a dark moment in human history, but where the author treats the humans as humans, and a book where I think I might actually learn something.

[WT Sharpe]

Wasn't a pleasant book. It was perhaps the longest 82 page book I've ever read. Did have a few thoughts to ponder, though.

No fear can stand up to hunger, no patience can wear it out, disgust simply does not exist where hunger is; and as to superstition, beliefs, and what you may call principles, they are less than chaff in a breeze.
~ Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

[Luffy]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Ok, I've only read 1/3rd of this or so, but that's IT. I'm done with it. Despite excellent writing, and superb narration (Frederick Davidson), there is no way I want to read this book. I find it offensive, disgusting, and not how I want to spend my precious reading time. (Yes, I know, it's a product of it's time. Got that. And yes, I know all about the evils of the colonization of Africa by various European powers. Enough to know that the Belgians took those evils to new lengths.) I don't need to read this to understand the evils, I already "get it". I don't need to read this for a class (I'm WELL past that!) And I certainly don't need to read this for pleasure, cause it won't give me any. I feel like my ears and mind need a thorough flushing with lye to remove the nastiness.

I'm going to go read Hiroshima now, where it's still a dark moment in human history, but where the author treats the humans as humans, and a book where I think I might actually learn something.

I read the first 3 sentences and decided not to pursue the thankless task of reading it.

[din155]

I didnt get a chance to read it either and looks like I might have to miss October one as well.

[Wearever]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Wasn't a pleasant book. It was perhaps the longest 82 page book I've ever read. Did have a few thoughts to ponder, though.

Just shows how he can speak volumes in a few sentences. The quote you picked Tom is a good example. Hunger in the extreme can change ones principals. Cannibalism is something that no one wants to do. An abomination, yet it happens when people are starving and want to survive.

[issybird]

I find the prose in this mesmerizing. I couldn't take an endless litany of atrocities, but Conrad keeps it short and I find nothing in it gratuitous. It's a gut-punch, but everything can't be hugs and puppies. I'm more to the end of the spectrum that says literature just is and not that it does or should have an end other than itself; just the same, I think the evocation of evil serves a purpose and I find it easier to take in a fictional representation than the daily horrors visited on us in the news media.

[CRussel]

I take your point, issybird, but that doesn't mean I need to read it at this point in my life. It's very well written, and has a place in the literature that we all should read in our youth. But I've read it, and reading it again just isn't something I need (or want) to do. Sort of how I feel about Lord of the Flies. I'm glad I read it, it was a powerful book, but I don't need to go there again.

[issybird]

I'm not going to reread Lord of the Flies , either.

That said, I think I have a far greater appreciation for beautiful prose now than I did in my salad days and that for me is the benefit in rereading. The story doesn't change and I remembered this one well enough (not surprising!), but my level of discernment has changed for the better. Another example is Tender is the Night, a book club selection a few years ago. I was bowled away; on rereading it became one of the best books I'd ever read.

[Wearever]

Originally Posted by issybird

I find the prose in this mesmerizing. I couldn't take an endless litany of atrocities, but Conrad keeps it short and I find nothing in it gratuitous. It's a gut-punch, but everything can't be hugs and puppies. I'm more to the end of the spectrum that says literature just is and not that it does or should have an end other than itself; just the same, I think the evocation of evil serves a purpose and I find it easier to take in a fictional representation than the daily horrors visited on us in the news media.

My sentiments exactly.

I do see how this would be a more difficult read depending on ones frame of mind during reading. I read it years ago, and thought the narration seemed dreamlike, interspersed with with images that seemed like hallucinations. I can certainly understand how the movie Apocalypse, had similarities based on The Heart of Darkness. The other worldliness of it.